When a Horse Is Over the Hill, He Should Be Left in the Pasture

I love reading stories about horses who make “comebacks” (June 29). Precisionist is 7 years old and should be out on some farm enjoying middle age. Instead, his owners drag him out of retirement because he can’t perform well in the hay with mares.

This horse earned more than $3 million for his owners and was then sent off to breed more money-making offspring. Now that the owners realize he can’t make them any more money through breeding, they make him go out and earn it on the track.

So, what happened in Precisionist’s glorious “comeback” at Hollywood Park last week? He threw his jockey to the dirt 5 yards out of the starting gate.

I wonder if his owners got the message.

DAVID C. DAGGETT

Arcadia