Scratch Dogs And Kickboards

[marshall31]

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Hi. I would like your views on the use on kick boards, especially scratch dogs . Being new to whippet racing and being a greyhound owner for the past 12 years, I don't understand why the need for kick boards with these big powerful dogs especially as I have seen and heard dogs getting injured in the trap which is what has just happened to my dog. I took my dog(Rasher Dasher) to my greyhound trainer and vet today and news was not great, he has torn a muscle in his back leg and damaged his hip joint which I believe is due to the use of kick boards. Hopefully, as he is only just 2, he will have a chance to recover. I know that dogs can get injured racing, as I have been an owner of greyhounds for the past 12 years, but surely taking out as many risks as possible from a dog getting injured, would benefit whippet racing in the long run. Would like to hear your views on this matter?

 

[daznsar]

I have to agree don't think they are needed for scratch dogs :thumbsup:

 

[stallion]

Hi. I would like your views on the use on kick boards, especially scratch dogs . Being new to whippet racing and being a greyhound owner for the past 12 years, I don't understand why the need for kick boards with these big powerful dogs especially as I have seen and heard dogs getting injured in the trap which is what has just happened to my dog. I took my dog(Rasher Dasher) to my greyhound trainer and vet today and news was not great, he has torn a muscle in his back leg and damaged his hip joint which I believe is due to the use of kick boards. Hopefully, as he is only just 2, he will have a chance to recover. I know that dogs can get injured racing, as I have been an owner of greyhounds for the past 12 years, but surely taking out as many risks as possible from a dog getting injured, would benefit whippet racing in the long run. Would like to hear your views on this matter?

would suit me to do away with them defo the cause of back and hip injuries plus i would have more room in

my van lol

 

[wild whippies]

Is there a rule that they have to be used?

I don't know of such a rule and I would of thought owners can do what they feel is right for their own dogs.

Personally, I think the fitting of a kickboard is no different than choosing a front board, choice of muzzle, strapping stopper pads etc. It needs to suit the individual dog and they need to both benefit from it and be familiar with it.

The only problem is that with trap sizes being varied across the country, it is difficult to know at times whether your dogs custom made kickboard may be a problem when in a specific trap. I would imagine even a dog trained without a kickboard would encounter the same problems due to size variation as well, especially if its been using the back door as its starting block.

Which is why I think the decision should be with the owner. If I had a dog that I felt ran at a detriment for having a kickboard, I'd simply choose not to use it. I think one or two people have already chosen to do this on occasion.

I believe there was a very short lived ban on kickboards in the past that was quickly overturned. I wasn't racing at the time but maybe someone can explain the reason for the ban and the reason for their quick reinstatement?

 

[ahorsnall]

the reason for the ban to be overturned was a up roar of most of the members :thumbsup: its not been proven to be the cause for most injurys,and the use of kickboards is totally the owners choice.imo alot of problems accure in scratch dogs is the fact they using traps made to race whippet sized dogs from :thumbsup:

 

[Paws123]

After racing both whippets and greyhounds bends and straights over the years ive not noticed any different injuries either with or without a kickboard , racing dogs of all kind are prone to getting injured

But as Chris has said squeezing a large scr dog into a standard whippet trap is asking for trouble from the onset

 

[comeonsteveuk]

get rid of them we dont need them i had no end of problems when i was racing big dogs , if your only banning them for scratch dogs your in with a chance . if DEFRA was to here about them or see them they would ban them under a welfare ban .

 

[comeonsteveuk]

After racing both whippets and greyhounds bends and straights over the years ive not noticed any different injuries either with or without a kickboard , racing dogs of all kind are prone to getting injured
But as Chris has said squeezing a large scr dog into a standard whippet trap is asking for trouble from the onset

hi denise but as chris has said squeezing a large scr dog into a standard whippet trap is asking for troulbe THEN JACKING THEM UP WITH A KICKBOARD

 

[rodders]

Can honestly say never had hip or back injury with Harv,and he's got to have been one of the biggest.Up to individuals IMO.He did get most of his injuries on the bends,not on the straights so dont think it was trap size that caused them.Good job i'm not suggesting banning bend racing (w00t) :lol:

 

[hotlipspaige]

Y do people always pick on scr dogs I own the biggest scr dog going,winter time bends after that he does club racing he comes out of a standard trap with a board he 3 years of age not 1 of his injuries has come out of a trap it is up to u if u use a board

Anth

 

[deeva1]

:unsure: IMO A lot of these supposed injuries, if attributable to kick boards at all, may have somrthing to do with the fact that a lot of owners try to use the same kickboard for ANY size dog. The initial purpose of them is to fill up the spare room at the rear of the trap, when racing a smaller animal, so that they, too, can kick off against something sturdy as would the bigger dogs, who fill the trap. I have seen, over the years, some right Heath- Robinson affairs with more attachments than a customised car. It comes down to personal choice whether to use one or not and I have to say that nothing has ever been proven one way or another. What I would say is that owners should measure their dog properly and, if they require a kick board, then make one that aids them, not double them up. Just my thoughts! (w00t) :wub:

 

[Trojan]

Know exactly what you mean Delia - Heath-Robinson affairs, well i do now i Googled Heath-Robinson :wacko: ?

 

[milly]

[

:unsure: IMO A lot of these supposed injuries, if attributable to kick boards at all, may have somrthing to do with the fact that a lot of owners try to use the same kickboard for ANY size dog. The initial purpose of them is to fill up the spare room at the rear of the trap, when racing a smaller animal, so that they, too, can kick off against something sturdy as would the bigger dogs, who fill the trap. I have seen, over the years, some right Heath- Robinson affairs with more attachments than a customised car. It comes down to personal choice whether to use one or not and I have to say that nothing has ever been proven one way or another. What I would say is that owners should measure their dog properly and, if they require a kick board, then make one that aids them, not double them up. Just my thoughts! (w00t) :wub:

:lol: :thumbsup:

 

[GRAHAM PEM]

never liked kickboards but lets get in the real world if you dont use them you put your dogs at a disadvantage IMO.