The "pet" issue is part of the problem. Too many of them. Horses that are not competitive week after week after week. Only way they win is if the others fall down. Not talking about the ones always getting a good check most the time. People just get way too attached emotionally, and I get that. But to loose money month after month is crazy. Is all those horses do is get in the away of the ones that want to compete. Had a trainer tell me, "I got enough of pets at home at the farm, dont need any more, love them while they are in the barn, but if they have to go, then they go where they have the chance to compete."