I don't believe horse racing is as 'straight forward' as it seems.. ie. the horses are trained and then come race day.. 'off they go'..!
it's far far more sinister than that.. I DO believe there's a lot of underhand actions that goes on behind the scenes or even during training.. such as pumping race horses up with steroids as well as other kinds of drugs.. to enhance their racing capabilities or drugs to mask out pain or even injury.. I suspect there was something wrong or some kind of injury to Eight Belles even BEFORE the race.. but nevertheless she was sent off to race regardless.. there's something shady, dishonest or backhandedly shadowy about horse racing.. the injuries not to mention to deaths.. says it all..

Posted by: lizbeth | May 8, 2008 12:50 PM

Enough said!!! Thank-you, Jack!!

Posted by: Carla | May 8, 2008 01:04 PM

Well said Jack, thank you for keeping this discussion alive!

Posted by: Sean MacDizzle | May 8, 2008 01:32 PM

Great post Jack. Thank you.

Posted by: Jaclyn | May 8, 2008 01:33 PM

Thanks, Jack! This needed to be said and I am proud of PETA for trying to make the difference.

Posted by: Katie | May 8, 2008 01:36 PM

I hope you all read this part too...Shocking, just Shocking!

An insurance scandal cost the life of Alydar, who came in second in all three races of the 1978 Triple Crown and fathered many fast horses. After being retired from racing in order to serve as a stud at a Kentucky farm, Alydar was originally believed to have shattered his leg by kicking a stall door and was euthanized when he wasn’t able to maintain a splint.(24) Ten years later, an FBI investigation revealed that his leg was deliberately broken when it was tied by a rope to a pickup truck.(25)

Posted by: Holly | May 8, 2008 01:41 PM

What a tragic event...Eight Belles, running to the home stretch, whipped all the way through, had no idea that those were her last moments on earth... owners walk away with money and more horses to abuse... She had no idea that she will be killed infront of thousands. Crucified for the crusade against this sport... PETA, please activate what you can to get swift reform on this barbaric sport

Posted by: Archie | May 8, 2008 02:14 PM

The thing that gets me when any kind of animal is used for entertainment purposes, is that the animal does NOT choose to do it. It is the sadistic, abusive owners, handlers, whatever , that MAKES them do it! Whether it is beating elephants and other circus animals to do stupid, unnatural tricks, or people who force any animal like horses to race when their bodies tell them otherwise. That is why I love animals a lot more than I like certain people like those who only see the dollar signs and treat their animals like throw away pieces of garbage.

Posted by: Rex's Mom | May 8, 2008 02:17 PM

Bravo '' Jack '' you have said it all., any further comment would be irrelevant.

Thank you.

Posted by: keith | May 8, 2008 02:39 PM

I am a horse person and I am well aware that there is many accidents that could have been prevented in ALL horse activities , but in my opinion Horse racing is one of the worst
(safety wise) sports going. if things were run better (no pun intended) maybe More accidents like this and barbaro would be prevented.it All that seams to be on the peoples minds is the money aspect of it.I also think it is down right foolish to start a horse at 1 and expect it to run in the Kentucky derby by age 3! that is totally rediclous.This is why so many horses die at suck a young age.One you expect it to do anything you ask from practly birth , 2 and if it doesn't do exactly what you want , Alot of TB's end up in a rescue or slaughter houses or worse. just because "they weren't good enough". Totally desusting to me.RIP Eight Belles , Maybe if people actually cared about something other than the all mighty dollar sign once in a while and took the time to let your bones grow instead of just throwing you into a race you would still be here. A true loss of great talent.

Posted by: Annymous | May 8, 2008 03:10 PM

I am a lifelong horseman, farm manager, farm management consultant, owner and breeder and recently became a Realtor, specializing in the sale of Horse Farms. Furthermore, I have served as Operations Manager of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, our nation's oldest and largest equine rescue organization. I would say, that the wholesale condemnation of the Thoroughbred industry as "rotten to the core", is as inaccurate as it is inflammatory. Clearly, there are some very cold, malicious and self serving participants in this industry, who commit abusive acts, though I daresay that statement could be applied to any industry. It is also true that there are many hardworking participants who would throw themselves under the "herd", if it could prevent another catastrophic breakdown such as the one you are currently trying to capitalize on. The long and the short of it is that no one is making any gain by the lack of dialog, or by the slanderous comments which are being hurled by folks on both sides. We need to focus on facts. Facts, such as the data which indicates that there is an (skeletal) advantage to training and running two year olds. Facts, such as, {contrary to your (no doubt very well researched) expression,} that we need not tell you that they "love to run". The better ones, as a matter of fact, do. That is part of the issue. You see, that filly wanted so badly to win, that she ran beyond her ability to withstand the forces which such an effort produces. Yes, in my view, she should not have run with the colts, but the loss of the filly was far greater for her connections, than it was for any of us, and there was no wrongdoing, simply mismanagement. I understand that finger pointing and the oversimplification of the depth of the issues must be tempting, this blog not only perpetuates it, but proves the point, but you can take it from somebody who has dedicated his entire life to the notion of animal welfare, from a hands on to an executive role, that there are a great many players in this industry who are anything but rotten and will always see to it that the horses are fed long before they indulge themselves. It seems that if you truly want to make an improvement in the general level of care, in the horse industry, you could take some time to see the facts and do what you can to further the dialog rather than falsely make accusations and condemn an entire industry for the greed of a few. Perhaps you prefer to point fingers than achieve results. It is much easier, isn't it?

Posted by: fred winters | May 8, 2008 03:16 PM

I was absolutely mortified over the death of this astounding creature Eight Belles. I'm not a horse racing fan since having spent many years riding and seeing "ex-racers" come into our barn totally wigged out, nervous, anxiety-ridden, and just plain dangerous. But alas, each one of those horses had a story to tell, and it took mountains of work to rehabilitate them, and get them to trust. As a society, we'd be remiss (or just plain ignorant), to say these horses were born to run. Huh?....are we that dumb? A constant pain-in-the-ass makes them run! These are feeling creatures. Who wouldn't run to get away from pain? But, as a collective front, we can effect change. No demand....hence no supply. We need to lobby the organizations that have power/authority to make regulations & pass laws that protect horses from a greedy, glutanous society. It's as simple as what the fashion industry is putting into place....if you're deemed to be too skinny....you can't walk the runway. Same rule should apply here...if a horse is too young & frail....they can't participate.

Posted by: kacey | May 8, 2008 03:17 PM

PeTA must have felt all fuzzy inside when this got posted on Internet news.

Posted by: Dr.Breen | May 8, 2008 03:21 PM

This excuse is used by other animal-abusing criminals too.

Some of the puppy mill breeders say their female dogs love to "be mommies" and get locked in a cage to get bred until their internal organs disintegrate.

The lies and excuses that the criminal class comes up with to cover for animal abuse that makes them money would be funny if it weren't so tragically sad.

Posted by: kelly | May 8, 2008 03:39 PM

I'm so pleased to see PETA taking action against horse racing. I've been working with horses for over 12 years, and my experience has included rehabing an incredible ex-racehorse. I can tell you horror stories about this horse being disconnected from affection, refusing to let anyone touch his ears or head, and eventually retiring him due to old injuries we could not heal. The magnificent and gentle animals are used, abused, and then left for trash if their breeding isn't worth enough money. As a horse enthusiast, I can't describe how many people are shocked to learn that I detest racing. Let's keep fighting this one!!

Posted by: Kelly | May 8, 2008 03:42 PM

I watched the Barbaro fiasco from start to finish, and here we are again...the destruction of an innocent horse. Something is rotten here. PETA....keep up the good fight.

Posted by: Candy | May 8, 2008 04:01 PM

Whoopee! Fred winters is a Realtor now, right from the world of nefarious horse deals.

and cheesy attempts to cover the mountain of despicable behavior & abuse and pretend that the racing world cares about "animal welfare" so they DON'T GET REGULATED and get their tax affairs looked at more closely, and some loopholes closed up

Hope those Disclosure statements get looked at VERY carefully!

Posted by: kelly | May 8, 2008 04:25 PM

Katie are you serious? I have never heard of such a thing! Stupid people! All they care about is money! Thats outrageous!!!! Were they sent to jail? Hmm....maybe a better punishment would be tying their legs to trucks....

Posted by: Sonnet | May 8, 2008 04:46 PM

Quote:"Why was Eight Belles so fragile? Well, horses begin training when their skeletal systems are still growing, and they’re completely unable to deal with pounding their limbs into jelly on a hard track at high speeds. Don't tell me that all those people who "really know about horses" didn't have an inkling that this filly - a filly, no less - was a high risk for serious injuries like the ones she sustained. But she was raced anyway. Any gue$$es as to why?"

I read that P.E.T.A. (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) wants Eight Belles' jockey suspended and are trying to sue the Kentucky Derby for Eight Belles' death.

Now, I'm all for P.E.T.A., and I usually support them in their actions, but to me, this is going too far.

If Eight Belles' jockey realized that she was injured during the race, how could he have possibly pulled her up with 19 other horses on the track? With horses going like 50-60 miles an hour? She and her jockey would have been trampled to death and pulling her up in the middle of the race could have caused catastrophic injuries and even death to the other horses.

This is not like what happened to Ruffian. Ruffian was in a match race with only one other horse, Foolish Pleasure. When she broke her ankle and her jockey began to pull her up, Foolish Pleasure passed her, so when she was finally made to stop, there were no other horses around to trample her or to be injured themselves.

I feel that Eight Belles' jockey did the right thing. If he realized that she had injured herself three quarters of the way around the track, there was no way he could have risked her life and his own life with 19 other horses going as fast as a locomotive.

Furthermore, I also read that P.E.T.A is planning a protest at the Preakness. I state, here and now, that if what P.E.T.A. is planning in any way, causes or leads to the death of any of the racehorses on the track, then they (P.E.T.A.) is no better than the people who they are trying to stop in being cruel to animals.

All in all, I think in this instance that P.E.T.A. needs to mind their own business.

PS: Before you go accusing horse racing for killing Eight Belles, maybe you should look at her pedigree. If you did, you would find that she is the eighth cousin to Ruffian. Ruffian came from Shenanigans and was sired by Reviewer. Reviewer was the last horse who should have been studded out, as he was always breaking down. Please do research before you go around accusing.

Posted by: Lisa Henderson | May 8, 2008 05:16 PM

I like to run too, but only when I feel like it. And I'm not piggybacked by someone cracking a whip when I'm not "enjoying it enough."

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | May 8, 2008 05:23 PM

My comment goes back to Mr. Winters. He says,
"if it could prevent another catastrophic breakdown such as the one you are currently trying to capitalize on."

Clearly this man has no idea what PETA or any other animal activist is trying to accomplish. I believe the one who is CLEARLY CAPITALIZING on anything is you, Mr. Winters with your "I trade horses and breed them so they keep making me money" lifestyle. Believe it or not, the only motive PETA has is to end needless suffering of animals that can't speak for themselves. Sadly, it is people like you that make PETA and others like them have to fight so much harder.

"Very little of the great cruelty shown by men can really be attributed to cruel instinct. Most of it comes from thoughtlessness or inherited habit. The roots of cruelty therefore, are not so much strong as widespread. But the time must come when inhumanity protected by custom and thoughtlessness will succumb before humanity championed by thought. Let us work that this time may come.”—Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Posted by: Katie | May 8, 2008 05:24 PM

This story has profoundly changed my life. My husband has relatives in KY that are into the 'Derby" big time. They were all excited that day & called my husband, reminding him of 'the big day' and to look for them in the Derby crowd. My sister in law even had a gold charm bracelet started & for every derby she has a charm made of the winning horse.

I refused to watch, noting what happened to Barbaro in 2006. He said I was being silly & that the racehorses were treated better than people, like royalty.

Then Eight Belles broke her two front legs & well... I had to say I told you so to every member of his family that makes fun of my involvement in animal rights. I sent each one of them Peta's petitions to reform horceracing & to suspend the miserable jock who kept whipping poor Eight Belles after she was injured. If they don't appreciate my e-mails too bad I won't pretend the abuse doesn't happen on the track or behind the scenes either.

Posted by: Gina | May 8, 2008 06:03 PM

LOL some of these posts are just ridiculas (no offense...) learn more about horse racing then attack it when you have somthing actually GOOD to say. Alot of these horses are treated like gold or diamonds, very precious to people (even my horse racing stuffed animals are like gold to me!!!) and treated even better then the human treats themselves!!!

"PeTA must have felt all fuzzy inside when this got posted on Internet news."

no they did not, they want publicity like everyone else and for people to listen.

Big Brown was treated like gold, and had a great spirit that is why he would not let the jocky on, he was also tough, people need to confirm these before they enter them in horse races.

Posted by: Why should I tell YOU???? ***Derby supporter*** | May 8, 2008 08:11 PM

In June of 2006, Two champion Racehorses, Favorite Trick and Saratoga Six, burned to death while locked in their barns in New Mexico.The horses that burned to death won millionS of dollars, certainly enough to buy thier own sprinkler system!

Posted by: Mary | May 8, 2008 09:31 PM

Jack, You summed it up very well! Thank You!

Posted by: Gaye Ashley | May 8, 2008 09:33 PM

"The filly wanted so badly to win" ??? Since when does a horse grasp that (human)concept?

Posted by: john carbonaro | May 8, 2008 09:59 PM

You know, guys, the entire issue of horse racing is comparatively unimportant.

Every single year, nine billion (with a B) equally sentient animals are raised in conditions that are, undeniably, vicious beyond compare. --> Meat.org

Gary Francione at Rutgers wrote an excellent article in the Philadelphia Daily News called "We are all Michael Vick," pointing out that most of those who condemned Vick so strongly supported the equally violent abuse of animals on factory farms.

The next time something like this happens, why doesn't PETA make an ad contrasting it with factory farming?

Posted by: Mark Devries | May 8, 2008 10:12 PM

Horses LOVE to run ? If kept penned up in a stall and then let out, I guess they would...not the distances expected of them..God didn't create them to do that...Horses love to eat, sleep, and get outside. Some want to be pleasers to their owners. Why not have straight track racing, such as drag racing in the racecar world? That's a true race of the fastest Another factoid..reining horses are usually under saddle at 18 months of age, as are pleasure class horses. Maybe horse insurance companies should look into what they are insuring and conditions under which they'll pay. It does seem that Big Brown's owner was intent on having his horse win. Some said Eight Belles wasn't bunched up....really? Not true on the taping I have of the Derby. Worked along with a horse vet who admitted wrongdoings occur...ah..the almighty dollar. The younger the horse, maybe the more vet care is necessary. Rest In Peaces Heavens' creatures.

Posted by: DIANE | May 9, 2008 12:11 AM

I am so happy that someone is paying attention to the death of Eight Belles. There is no doubt in my mind that this horse was full of performance drugs because, a horse does not break two legs unless they are running beyond capability. Beyond capacity means the horse was feeling no pain. This horse was a star and I think her shit heal dirt ball trainer and stupid owner had no clue-or maybe she was insured for more than she would bring in as a brood mare. Either way, these guys did this filly wrong and I hope, at some point, she can be vindicted.

Posted by: Lou | May 9, 2008 05:44 AM

Great comment Fred!
I think you hit the nail on the head with you post. It seems to me that many of the facts that are posted on this blog more than likely pretty accurate. However, I'm sure I could research into Mother Teresa's past and find a couple negative instances. But I'n sure we could all agree that Mother Teresa was a great human, she did become a saint!
Anyway, I believe, but not 100% sure, that most of the information gathered on this blog come from website biased to what you want to hear. In other words, there is a mountain of facts that would say the opposite or what gets reported here.
You have to keep in mind that the majority of the people who races horses do not have millions of dollars to buy a new horse season after season. The majority can't afford that, so they must take care of the horses they have in order to turn a profit in this industry. Horses are these people's livelyhoods, so to do anything that would endanger the horse is not fiscally sensable.
I know it is not easy to care for a horse, let alone a race horse.

Posted by: Kurt K | May 9, 2008 08:03 AM

i think this whole situation is rediculouse. the fact that they race horses that are injured is terrible. profesional athleats do as little as pull a muscle and they are out for months in rehab. but people treat horses as if they are cars....just throw some gas in them and they run fine. TERRIBLE. horses need time to recover from injuries too. wouldnt their owner rather them miss a few races rather than DIE?!?! if not...that owner doesnt deserve to come in contact with such a beautiful creature.

Posted by: olivia filippi | May 9, 2008 08:29 AM

i think this whole situation is rediculouse. the fact that they race horses that are injured is terrible. profesional athleats do as little as pull a muscle and they are out for months in rehab. but people treat horses as if they are cars....just throw some gas in them and they run fine. TERRIBLE. horses need time to recover from injuries too. wouldnt their owner rather them miss a few races rather than DIE?!?! if not...that owner doesnt deserve to come in contact with such a beautiful creature.

Posted by: olivia filippi | May 9, 2008 08:29 AM

i don't know if people know this or not but i've seen someone cut a nerve behind a racehorses hoof to keep them from feeling pain when they break a leg. i have a feeling maybe they did this to the horse in the race and that that is why they killed it to avoid punishment. this should be investigated

Posted by: Sarah | May 9, 2008 09:18 AM

Really, everyone here believes this? You don't think people or animals "love to run" even when injured? Read a runner's forum, there are hundreds of posts asking "I have a stress fracture, do I really have to take a month off?" Have you seen wild horses interact? They race each other frequently, and because they are pack animals, are almost always close to each other. And you really think an owner would intentionally send an injured animal to race? They would make a lot more money waiting a month or two for the animal to heal, and race healthy after that, than they would if the horse raced injured, it's just not good business sense.

Posted by: Kate | May 9, 2008 11:46 AM

Maybe you should investigate the Thoroughbred INDUSTRY !! These horses are broke (to ride) when they are 1 yr old & start racing when they are 2, why doesn't this country up the age for starters ie: start @ 3 & "Graded Stakes" @ 4 instead of 2&3 yr old ??!! This is = of a 7 yr old child running distance with a backpack on..

Posted by: A.J. Hubbard | May 9, 2008 01:28 PM

Let Eight Bells ring a warning that the racing industry is reckless and negligent in their guardianship. Until they own up to their own failure to protect Eight Bells from injury PETA will have to help them get honest.

Posted by: joanna | May 9, 2008 01:43 PM

HOLLY THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE NEWS ABOUT ALYDAR'S DEATH, WHICH MAKES ME SICK FOR SUCH A FABLOUS HORSE. PLEASE PEOPLE BOYCOTT THE CANDY QUEEN OF BRACH'S CANDY, WHO HORED LOW LIFES TO DO HORRIFIC THINGS TO HER HORSES SO THAT SHE COULD COLLECT THE INSURANCE MONEY, AND THESE FACTS WERE ON TV. AND LETS BOYCOTT ALL HORSE RACEING AVENTS.

Posted by: SHARIE DELLA | May 9, 2008 02:30 PM

to the derby supporters up here: instead of approving the abuse of such beautiful creatures you should run and jump yourselves - and then you shall see if you think to be treated like gold or rather like precious shit to make money with it!

Posted by: octopus | May 9, 2008 03:16 PM

700 race horses died in 2007 alone. When will the bottom feeders get it right, never, they are too in love with blood money. And many of you on these boards are no better that the bottom feeders.
Great job Jack. We PETA people need to really keep this momention.
By the way,on HBO, May 15, REAL SPORTS with Bryant Gumble
will talk about where these horses go when no longer needed 80to90% of course go to slaughter, and they will be talking about this.FINALLY.
"ALL IN THE NAME OF BARBARO"
Team Barbaro rules.
Peace, for all animals!

Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter for Animals | May 9, 2008 04:46 PM

well, as one of the earlier commenters stated... "enough said," seriously, stop all the fluster about this, show evidence for your allegations rather than appealing to emotion. I realize this is cold, but that's what makes it real, YOU NEED PROOF TO ACCUSE PEOPLE OF DOING THESE THINGS.. I would sincerely love to see any evidence you have of widespread horse abuse, something along the lines of, oh i don't know, how these horses are under any more stress than standard bred horses? Most of the comments are erroneous and in fact would be counter claims if you read into the matter.. for horse lovers and trainers, I'm sure you can support my argument that normal horses go through as much, and that an ankle break is a mishap, not a training fault, though I do agree the horses are started too early, most of the other allegations are false. Please, think before you post, please site a source so you don't sound like an emotional dunce.

Posted by: Steven | May 9, 2008 05:53 PM

Anyone who knows anything about horses knows that racing horses are not running because they enjoy it. The race exploits the flight response of what is naturally a prey animal i.e. the response engaged when horses are instinctively running in fear as a herd to escape a predator. The jockey on their back relates to the predator grabbing at the flanks and the starting gates initiate the response, which is essentially that of terror.

This is why a horse with a shattered leg will still try to get up and run - the instinct is to try to show no pain and to keep up with the herd, lest they get taken by the predator.

An animal that loves to run doesn't need to be whipped.

Lastly, all the talk of "welfare" in the horse industry doesn't change the fact that nothing gives humans the right to exploit horses for entertainment. The way you treat a slave is irrelevant; he or she is still a slave.

Posted by: Daily Veg Editor | May 10, 2008 03:44 AM

"Nobody “loves to run” when they’re suffering from bleeding lungs or painful leg injuries, but that doesn’t stop trainers from pumping these animals full of drugs to mask the pain, enhance their performance and just plain keep them going."
I saw theses sentences and wanted to point out that not all horses suffer from 'bleeding lungs' or 'leg injuries.' And not all trainers 'pump these animals full of drugs.' Trust me, HORSES LIKE TO RUN!
Take Rags to Riches for example. She obviuosly loved to run. That's why she beat Curlin in the Belmont. But when she got a hairline fracture, did Todd Pletcher fill her with performance-enhancing drugs? No! He let her rest and finally retired her.
I do agree we could make lighter whips or change the surface of the track to improve horse racing. But we don't need to ban the whole sport.

Posted by: Anonymous | May 10, 2008 05:01 PM

Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand died in a Japanese slaughter house. Owners really love their horses!

Posted by: zipsME | May 11, 2008 01:54 PM

okay heres the thing, listen and dont just start yelling at me. HORSE RACING IS NOT CRUEL. half of you guys (No offence) even know what your talking about. And when i see you guys dissing the only one thing that I want to do when i get older hurts me. You say how there sent to the slaughter house, ya well so are many many other horses in this world that arn't just race horses. I'm 14 and I want to become a trainer when I'm older and i know that I would never EVER do anything to my horses if i know that there not ready. I only like racing because of the horses, not because of the money. I've worked with them and when I've seen them and hugged them and stroked there necks they were the happiest horses in the world. They loved it> they have there ears pricked and eating healthy and there heads were lookin at the track. It may not be the same for all but PLEASE PLEASE don't take away the one thing that I REALLY REALLY care about. It hurts me.

Posted by: Danica | May 11, 2008 07:13 PM

Ivory Tower Intellectualism at its best. Many points have been made here by several people who are familiar with the industry both for and against the fore stated argument. None of these comments where acknowledged (I think once actually) and so the round robin continues. I would like to see something on the lines of "I went down to the local racing stables today and talked with a few hands and handlers...", but since we hold our ivory tower above all forms of actual footwork, let us continue in the vein of logic so highly vaunted in this comment section. They own horses. These horses are a major form of income. This income determines the life they lead. They do not want to harm their money making capabilities. All acceptable truths taken at face value. So we continue with the focus on drug use. Drug use is illegal in race horses. This is also the fact with human athletes. Occasionally a person is found using illegal drugs to help performance, they get caught rarely but major media frenzy ensues. Similar causes and effects occur in the race horse industry. Both acts of using steroids and the like are wrong morally and legally. Perhaps we should piss test the horses before every race? Maybe we should look up the history of equestrian based sports as to have a broader sense of what is going on? But just maybe, MABY, we should get off our high towers and learn what happens below.

Posted by: Carl | May 11, 2008 11:36 PM

As a Thoroughbred owner & breeder in Lexington, KY I am amazed at the hypocrisy in this business. There is nobody, including Fred Winters that can deny abuse of many forms are rampant in this business. Is the use of steroids in this industry (both on the track and on the sales ground) a fact? YES. Are sore horses running evey day? YES. Are too many horses that have no commercial or racing value being bred? YES. Are horses needlessy whipped during races when they have no chance of winning or even placing? YES
This industry will try to make the debate about PETA, but the debate is about the humane treatment of the horse. PERIOD.

Posted by: Leslie Marceau | May 12, 2008 12:28 PM

omg ok this is just getting rediculas now ok all horse owners i have known have all treated their horses with love and care they do not pump them, full of steriods as for one they would be instantly disqualified , second it would be so ovious if the did so get UR FACTS STRAIGHT and even if their are people abusing horses w/e it is such a small majority

Posted by: ozzy | May 13, 2008 06:48 AM

that not right. CRAP LIKE THAT MAKES ME WANT TO KILL MY SELF. jees all they have to do is be nice.

Posted by: melissa | May 13, 2008 11:31 AM

Well put, Jack and Daily Veg Editor.

Posted by: lynda downie | May 13, 2008 10:51 PM

Okay.
1- Not all racehorses have drugs put into them. And if they do, they're tested after the race. It doesn't just go away like it was never there. That takes a while.

2- Not all racehorses that don't make the cut go to slaughterhouses. If that was so, I wouldn't have mine right now. He sucked at racing, lost all of his, and they let him live. I don't see that as abuse..

3- Have you ever noticed that sometimes, when people run, they break/sprain things? And it's not on purpose. I mean, who whould push themselves to a point of breaking a bone.
Some horses are just more fragile than others- and sometimes, things just happen. She happened to take a mis-step [as did Barbaro] and her ankles snapped. It's not the jockey's fault. If the horse didn't want to do it, it wouldn't do it. It's a 1,200 pound animal- it dominates.

Now, we're all obsessing over the Eight Belles tragedy, the same thing happened to Barbaro, and Edgar Prado wasn't blamed for anything [which, is a good thing he didn't.]
Think it through before making such a big commotion about it.
I don't think you need another 15 year old telling you this stuff.

Posted by: Lauren | May 16, 2008 10:41 PM

I applaud PETA's efforts at helping animals however, I have to express my dissapointment in the amount of false information and accusations made upon ALL people involved in the Horse Racing industry. Some of us involved make efforts to both suffice the happiness of the racing fans AND the wellness of the horses. I was offended when I read some of the comments from PETA and it's members about us, many of them untrue and just plain rude.
I have spent most of my life around horse racing and I have seen both sides of the story. SOME trainers indeed have made poor choices in their training methodology HOWEVER, horse racing is under strict regulations and guidelines for acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
Horses in EVERY race are drug tested after they run by method of urine sample to ensure trainers are not using illegal substances. If a trainer gets caught using such a method, they are fined or depending on the severity of the case can lose their license.
At the stables, a State Vet comes around to each horse that is to be raced and checks them for any injury or conditions such as common horse illness or sores.
Then, on race day the track is staffed with a state certified Vet that must be in the paddock during the saddling of EVERY race to ensure that the horses are checked for injury or lameness. If a Vet discovers a horse is not suitable for racing, then that horse is scratched from the race and cannot race until he/she passes another Vet inspection.
THOUSANDS of horses race every year and all though we had a very sad and unfortunate tragedy at the Kentucky Derby... these accidents do not happen that often and MOST trainers do everything possible to look after the well being of their horses. It just so happens that the entire world was watching this particular race so it's easy for everyone to say that this is something that happens all the time.
I have looked after race horses and helped my parents to train them and I don't feel like an "evil" person for it. Something most of you cannot understand or will not have the opporunity to witness is the love for racing that SOME horses indeed have. I know many of you would say, "Animals cannot speak, how do you know?".... well, how do you know when your dog loves going to the park or that your cat loves a certain toy?... you know by their excitement and the joy on their faces.
One of our horses loved racing so much that he would sit depressed in the corral until he knew it was time to go to the track again. He would "dance" when he came off of the track from a morning workout and then dance for the crowd after winning a race. After a 6 year career he was retired to a pasture at my parent's 12 acre ranch where he was just never as happy again, no matter how large his pasture or how well he was cared for.
Many horses my parents trained loved to race such as he did. Honestly, some don't. Sometimes my parents would tell me when I was young that certain horses "didn't have heart" or "aren't meant for racing" and in those cases we would have to sell them for pleasure riding, to the Amish for wagons or to breeding farms to make babies. Sometimes my parents gave horses away to good homes at no cost, just to see they had a place to go. I wish that all trainers were required to do so, something PETA might look into mandating.
Now, Im sure that many of you will continue to feel that horse racing is terrible. But, for some of us it is a passion and love that will continue into the future. Hopefully everything possible will be done to ensure proper regulations continue and improve for the well-being of the horses... and I pray that those trainers that are a disgrace to the industry are justly dealt with.
Disagree with the industry all that you wish, but I urge you to not make false accusations and over-generalize. I also think that there are animal abuse issues and neglect that are far more extreme and deliberate out there that PETA should be focusing more on.... Allow the State Racing Officials,Track Investigators, State Vets and Horse Associations do their job of preventing animal cruelty within the industry.
Thank you for your time

Posted by: reeree26 | May 17, 2008 12:48 PM

Look at what's happening in Puerto Rico now in the Thoroughbred racetrack. The absolute ethenisation of horses when they " dont run ". ...and this is in the U.S. ! My father is a racehorse trainer, in which he has been involved all his life, he is one of the most successful humans and a hall of fame " horse whisperer ". Yes, horseracing is not what it used to be, and white trash people who get into the industry will do all kinds of inhumane practices to run a horse or keep it running. Horseracing is a very ancient sport, but modern times have changed it a bit for some participants involved in exploitation of the animals.. these racehorses are better taken care of than some human beings on this planet.

Posted by: Jodi Bird | May 17, 2008 12:53 PM

i am not very clued up as to how things work but i do not agree with how they treat animals for the sake of our entertainment. train clowns or acrobats for gods sake because at least they have a say about what they do!

Posted by: maritza | May 18, 2008 02:29 PM

personally i dont like horse racing. but if ppl treat their horses right (which many of them do)then its ok with me. but im sure the horse racing industry could make things a little better i mean horses have helped us for so long.

Posted by: Isabell--->animal luver :) | May 19, 2008 02:22 PM

Thank you Jack, it’s very important to hear your voice on the other side of the world as well – in Hungary!
So heartbreaking... and I have a sad memory of my own...
Some years ago (behind the iron curtain) when I was in high school I used to go to the National Race Course in Budapest as an ’amateur’, helping in the morning care and riding to get the horses ready for the next races. In our stable we had a 3 years old stallion called Hermit’s Lamp, a ‘champion-to-be’. Only a professional jockey was allowed to ride him – we, amateurs admired ‘Lampion the Champion’ from afar.
Previous to races the surface of the course had to be smoothened by harrow but many times the soil was just so hard like concrete.
Poor soul was so nervous that Sunday we had to wash him three times before the start; thinking back, his instincts might have whispered to him… couldn’t finish the race, he broke his left front ankle on a hard clot.
But the horror just got worse when the vet said that, because at dawn the horse goes anyway to the slaughter house, he’s not going to waste morphine on a dead animal…!!! All of us stayed vigil that night with Lampion, his groom from desperation was boiling spirit under his nose to dope him a bit, put ice on his ankle.
I hope, I never going to see an animal in such agony, but Lampion’s tears were running down his face and we cried with him; then dawn came and he was taken away to the slaughter house…
After this surreal night I could not go to that place anymore, realising that how money is abusing the great heart of these trusty beasts. Seeing the tragedy of Eight Belles unfortunately I had to realise that now, after long years only death comes quicker for a race horse, no honour, no prevention, no care…
Please, keep on protesting for animals they need us more than ever – or money will stoke all of us up!

Posted by: Gabriella Nagy | May 19, 2008 07:40 PM

Leslie, you agree with Peta's accusations and yet you still remain a horse trainer & breeder in Lexinton, KY. May I ask why? Oh let me guess, you love to watch the horses run, because they love it so much! Nothing to do with the almighty $$$. Couldn't do it, especially being one of the few that will admit to the various abuses behind the scenes, are you that desperate for money that your whole career is built on exploitation & abuse?

Posted by: Gina | May 20, 2008 10:10 PM

It's surprising to me how self-righteous so many of these responses are, and how little knowledge of racing they contain. Are there problems in racing? Absolutely, and there are a lot of good people working to resolve them. Tracks have spent millions to switch to synthetic surfaces, states are banning steroids, organizations like the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation are finding ex-race horses new homes. And these were begun or initiated years before Eight Belles's tragic breakdown. (And for those of you who think she was injured prior to the Derby and was entered anyway are truly clueless; her value as a broodmare was in the realm of $2.5 million before the Derby, much more than the winner's share of $1.2 million.) Before commenting on this situation, or any situation, and mindlessly typing in several $$$$, step back and ask yourself, How much do I really know about this? From what I've read on here, the answer seems to be not much.

Posted by: Lucas Marquardt | May 21, 2008 10:26 AM

It really can go either way.....my friend breeds and trains racehorses and she loves them like they are her children...on the other hand one of my four horses was a racehorse I purchased for 50 bucks at an autcion..he has scars all over him and wouldn't let me touch him for almost 6 months....

Posted by: Ali | May 22, 2008 01:50 AM

PETA continues to ignore the fact that more horses break down every day working on farms than on race tracks. I assume they are working at providing your so-called "vegetarian" diet. I've been a vegetarian for over 20 years, so don't point your stick at me.
On another note, our government has already banned the slaughter of horses for food. The problem lies in "meatmen" shipping horses to Mexico and Canada, therefore circumventing laws set up to protect the horses. If PETA really wants to make a difference, they should focus their energy on supporting a new bill in Congress that bans the export of thoroughbreds from the U.S.
Why don't you go to Italy and Japan and give them a hard time? They eat our horses, not us. Do you get it? FOCUS PEOPLE!
And by the way, horse do love to run!

Posted by: Jack | June 5, 2008 02:22 AM

It's amazing how one sided the local Louisville KY newspaper is being about this horrible incident. Lisa Pinkston, one of the Courier Journal's employees even cracked several jokes about the fate of Eight Belles on her forums through the C-J. When several posters replied that they were offended, they were told to "lighten up".
Sadly, there's a lot of people who share the same view as her and its going to take a lot to change their attitudes.

Posted by: Kmom | June 5, 2008 07:15 AM

The factsheet is in itself deceptive. It lumps steriods with lasix and bute. One is illegal while the other two are legal. Cross country runners bleed from the lungs. Do you know why? A churchill downs former PR guy is ful lof it. If trainers filled the horses with illegal drugs, they WOULD get caught. Eight Belle's injury is simple, she had more heart than training. The problem should lie at the feet of the trainer. sactioning him may be difficult, but probably could be if he hasn't destroyed his training records. If the training records have been destroyed, that should say something. It is a difficult situation. The PETA attorney was incorrect when he said bute masked pain for Eight Belle's. PETA needs to do some research also.

Posted by: Tom | June 5, 2008 12:03 PM

"As I mentioned before, horses that don’t make the cut get shipped off to slaughterhouses. The fact that anybody who knows this would still have the gall to comment on this blog saying that these animals are “treated better than most humans” is just too depressing to even think about." - Do your research. In another popular horse sport, three-day eventing, two thirds of the horses competing are race horses who "didn't make the cut." More horses are bought and used for competition in other horse sports than shipped off to slaughter.
I understand what your protesting, the racing of horses, which, in my opinion is a ridiculous thing to protest, but what are you suggesting happens instead? The horses just chill out in fields? As stated before, these horses are born to work. They want to race and enjoy doing so. Based on what you have written I'm going to assume that you have never ridden a horse, or at least a TB. They are competitors by nature. The minute you get on one you can feel how much they enjoy it, and setting them out to just live in a field all day is more abuse than any trainer can give them.
I advise you to ride and understand horses before you try to put labels on what they are doing.

Posted by: Josie | June 5, 2008 06:24 PM

I love horse racing. Plain and simple. When horses break down on teh track, they are nothign but accidents. Many many horses race every year and how many since Eight Belle's death have died? 15-16. That still doesn't compete with the fact that a lot of horses race each year. Yes, Thoroughbreds are born to run and they do love to run, that would explain why Barbaro tried to keep running when his leg had already snapped, same with Ruffian. You can't put words into horse's mouths whether or not they like to run or not. Horse racing is an exciting sport, for horse, trainer, owner, and rider. Just because every once in a while a horse breaks down and has to be euthanized doesn't mean all Thoroughbreds hate to run or are being "raced to death" or "tortured under the whip."

Posted by: Megan | June 5, 2008 07:02 PM

I feel I must make a comment here because I worked on the backside of the racetrack as a groom for 7 yrs and I have seen quite a bit in that time. What I don't agree with is people who are condemning the racing industry and all those involved as cruel and viscious people. That is not the case. Yes, just like any sports industry, whether it be dog racing, horse racing, or even human sports, there are going to be shady people and illegal activities to enhance a performance. I'm in agreement 100% when it is stated that shouldn't be allowed. When you have to ice a horses legs for an hour before a race, or give a horse enhancement drugs such as what we called a "milkshake", or pain killers, then that is abuse. Pain should not be masked for those few furloughs of glory. But being a groom and having some wonderful horses under my care whom I adored as if they were my own, I can say that the majority do love to race. You haven't seen the look on a horse's face as he looks towards the racetrack on race day. Or the when they know that they have a race that day and they just watch the horses head to the track, awaiting their turn to go. It is something you will never know unless you are actually there to experience it. I have had a hard time just holding my horse back as he dances his way along the long walk to the saddling ring. This is what they were bred for, and most do love what they do. But that doesn't hold true for all, and if you have to force a horse to race, then it isn't worth racing that horse because his heart isn't in it. Again, that is falling along the lines of cruelty.
I agree that this industry needs to be regulated more and horses should not run as young as they do, but to condemn the industry is wrong. Many people in the racing industry do care very deeply about their horses but change needs to be done to regulated those that are in it to win it.

Posted by: Shannon | June 6, 2008 08:42 AM

It causes me to wonder.... if these horses "love to run" as they say, then why the need to whip them with a crop?

Posted by: Sheri | June 6, 2008 09:02 AM

HORSE RACING IS THE BEST SPORT EVER!!!!

Posted by: THOROUGHBREDRACINGLOVER | June 6, 2008 06:06 PM

I have to say that a lot if these comments are one-sided. I know for a fact that horses in this sport are treated very well and owners and trainers work very hard to make sure the horses are comfortable and happy. I understand and acknowledge that there are quite a few "bad apples" in this sport and firmly believe that they should be punished and taken out of the sport. We need to work out a balance between keeping the sport alive and keeping the sport safe-for all players. I support and applaud PETA for taking steps toward making this a reality, although I think it is wrong to say that horse racing is awful and tortures horses all the time and deserves to burn in hell. Honestly, bad things will happen in this world...to humans and animals; and we are put on this planet to make sure that none of these things are intentional.

Posted by: S.Q. | June 6, 2008 08:38 PM

Horses, some horses, do love to run, I agree. BUT horses do NOT love to run on injured legs. THAT is ridiculous, plain and simple. I think it comes down to a bit of behavioural science. Horses are flight creatures. If they feel pain, they are far more likely to try and run from it as part of a simple survival instinct, rather than lie down and accept their fate. They certainly do not take pleasure from using injured limbs. And do any of you 'pro horse racing' types know anything about shock? Because it's very likely these poor creatures are suffering from it. Its very similar to when a dog or cat is hit by a car, they dont know whats happend, but they will usually try and get the hell out of there. Its our jobs as humans who are able to make sense out of these situations, to look after our horses and take the lead ( every pack needs a leader )and damn well stop! Dont LET the horse run when its injured! Dont keep whipping the poor thing ! If we as humans are so smart, why are we not doing the intelligent thing by our horses. Regardless of whether or not you love horse racing, something must change so that these animals are not being hurt! And just because you love horse racing, does NOT mean that you love the horse.'

And running a horse whos skeletal system is not yet fully developed, is nothing short of intorelable cruelty.

Posted by: Rebecca (VN) | June 6, 2008 11:53 PM

Thank you Fred an Lisa for the only good comments here.
Race horse love to run.. and are treated very well, they are worth millions, an most live in barns I could only dream of having a house so good. Yes mistakes are made, an yes there are accidents.. but these horses
do what they love ... Run ... thats what they are bred for... if you don't believe that, just watch the look on Big Browns face, ears up looking to see who saw him when he crosses a finish line.. they love the applause an action just like any other athlete. If you want to critize, talk to people who force their kids into hours of gymnastics and sports like wrestling.. every watched a 5 or 6 yr old cry and their partents ship them off to live with trainers. Every sport has a bad egg, and loosing Eight Belles was a tragedy, but she was safely an humanly put to sleep and did not suffer.

Posted by: brenda chafin | June 7, 2008 12:39 AM

ok horse racing is a cruel and unfair sport.i dont care what anybody says but yes ALL horses love to run but there is no need to make them run full speed for 1 mile or so. i have a 13 yr old AQH that was forced to run barrels with her colt tied around her neck.when i ride her if i let her sh ewould RUN from dusk till dawn.you dont let any animal run for a long perioind of time exspecially if it weighs 1,000+ lbs.it can die of heat stroke or as any large animal,be euthenized for being lame.if a dog was used for police work or any thing that it needs it legs for if it broke its leg or its ankle bone snapped would it be fair to put it down??if a horse goes lame from racing it should be retired an go to therepy instead ok being killed.then it should be givin to a home that it wold be doing Light work or where small children will be riding it.HORSE RACING SHOULD BE BANNED!!!!

Posted by: sarah | June 7, 2008 01:15 AM

Go Big Brown! : )

Posted by: Jaler44 | June 7, 2008 02:15 PM

Thank you PETA for standing up for Eight Belles and all horses. I am sick of the lies the pro horse racing crowd is saying about PETA and other organizations who care. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

Posted by: Liz | June 7, 2008 05:57 PM

In response to Megans comments: I have also been a racehorse groom and exercise rider for 7 years. It amazes me that people who have worked with racehorses honestly believe they enjoy it. Of course they want to run! They are locked in tiny stalls 23.75 hours a day, fed high energy diets, and made really fit (cardiovascularly). But they get really nervous on race day too because they know whats going to happen: They are pushed, pulled, and smacked into a tiny gate, (many feel clausterphobic in there) The men are yelling at each other and the horses, sometimes grabbing their ears and tails to 'calm' them. Often a horse will lose it in this situation and flip over backwards and even roll under the gates, causing injuries to itself and the handlers/riders. This loud crashing noise and more yelling further panics the other horses who are all prey animals and pick up on fear very easily. Once everything settles for a split second the gates are sprung open with a very loud bell, and more screaming from the men. At first the horses probably do enjoy themselves because they are finally free of that starting gate and are burning away all the pent up energy. But still the riders are screaming and swearing at each other in a stressful way. Then, as the race goes on the horses begin to tire, it is now that any injuries they may have start to become more painful, and they no longer want to run as fast. It is also now that they begin to get whipped. Trust me, those whips hurt alot!!! Horses are thin skinned animals who can feel the lightest touch of a fly! If the horse has no more left to give, it must simply endure the pain and more screaming and yelling. It is usually at this stage, when the muscles are weakening, that the bones and tendons take on more of the weight. During a gallop the horse only has one leg on the ground at any given time, and they weigh 1000 lbs! I am currently just grooming horses, but for a while I was exercising them, and it was the most amazing feeling in the world to give them a quarter mile workout, because all you had to do is balance over them, and let them run!(plus there's no starting gate.) The farther workouts were not nearly as enjoyable because at the end you have to push them to keep going. Anyways, just wanted to share my experiences and views on the situation. Many of the people who work in racing are not bad people, but are just doing their jobs. I'm not saying they don't have a choice, but the industry itself needs to change before the individuals will. P.S. I love that PETA finally has a hold of this topic, but the one request I hated was the ban of Eight Belles jockey. He was just doing his job, jockeys can actually get punished by the race stewards for not whipping a horse, because it looks like they're trying to rig a race. And trust me, he didn't know her legs were going to break while he was whipping her. If a horse goes down at that speed, the rider can be seriously injured or killed. I don't know any rider who wouldn't pull up a horse if they thought its legs were going to break!!! Not that you can really tell until its too late. Watching the video, I saw her tire (of course!!) but she didn't appear to have any obvious injury. I'm just mentioning this because it makes PETA look uneducated when they say something like this. ANY jockey would have ridden her the same way. It's the rules that need to change. Keep up the good work PETA!

Posted by: Epona | June 7, 2008 10:55 PM

I understand that horses have died in this horse racing sport. But think about it! People get injured in every sport. They do love to run! Horses would not run if they did not want to. People do whip the horses but in horse racing are they used a lot? I have not seen very many used. I do agree with you on the fact that they are bred up to every little detail but horse racing has been going on for more than 140 years and it still continues and is very popular. I think the incident with Eight Belles was an unfortanute event and I do not think the jockey or owner should not be blamed for what happened to her. Accidents do happen and Eight Belles was a case of what happened. Good luck with your case but I do hope you take this subject a little easier on everyone in the future. Thank you for listening.

Posted by: Mia | June 7, 2008 11:25 PM

I Admire you admins at PETA for caring, but as always, you have holes in your facts and you logic, which I'm starting to think you put there on purpose.

1.Any horses found with 'enhancing drugs' in their bodies will be disqualified.

2.Incidences like this where a premature horse is used, would require somehow getting past the rules, there are already rules that state only cetain-aged animals can be used, though there may have been a loophole (perhaps the rule said, that 'foals' were not allowed, but Eight Belles whas a Filly, to old to be foal and to young to be mare.) and therefore they had no way of not allowing her to be raced.

3. Sending a horse to be killed is the VERY last resort,only if absolutly no-one will take them.

4.I agree with kelly, what if the jockey had no choice but to make Eight Belles run?
There may have been no space for them to pull over becuase of other racers behind.

I suggest, if you want to make everyone take you seriously you look at all the facts and not just look at some and make up others, I mean, to say that all horses not excepted get killed is absolutly perposterous!
I will continue to sign you petitions and send your letters, but I will take you seriously no more.

Posted by: Scarlo-hara | June 8, 2008 09:03 AM

I feel very passionately about this subject, as I have adopted 2 horses from the racetrack, and have taken years to try and rehabilitate from the cruelty and abuse, both physical and mental that they had to endure. Horses do love to run for fun, for a short playful distance, BUT they DO NOT choose to run at intense speed for an extended period unless they thought it was a life threatening situation. So on the track the horses are most likely terrified.
The Standardbred Racing is often forgotten when discussing the cruelty on the racetrack but it happens just as frequently there. My 1st horse was raced even after the owner knew he had a broken bone and my second horse was being shipped at 3yrs old to the meat factory as he didn't cut it on the track!! It is shameful abuse of highly sensitive and emotional creatures.
I couldn't believe it when my 2nd horse was agoraphobic, yes, imagine a horse afraid to be outside. The only time he got out of the stall was when a cart was tied to him and he was forced to pull it around the track at uncomfortable speeds, he had a breathing problem that almost caused him to drop dead on the track but he was forced to run anyway. The vet on the track insisted on ending his career when he came in from training one day and his tongue was blue, he was so starved of oxygen!! It was then decided, the meat factory would be his next destination. He had been taken from his mother at the very young age of 11 months and kept in that stall for 3 years with NO pasture or turn out. Honestly it is a CONSENTRATION camp for horses.
Both my horses turned out to be the most wonderful loving pets. Sadly my 1st horse had to be euthanized after his leg broke severely in several different places, but he had been raced for 9 years and his bones were so weakened. Anyone who says stupid statements like "They were born to run" or "They love it" is just ignorant and maybe should study the behaviour of the animal before they make such uneducated statements. Horses were BORN TO RUN, AWAY FROM PREDETORS and it is unnatural for them to have us on their backs that is why they buck in the beginning, to get what feels like a predator off their backs!!
Horses have helped make our history, they have bravely carried men through battle even when it went against every fiber of their being!! They are a flight animal not a fight animal! Horse Racing is meant to be the sport of Kings, so PLEASE let us treat the animal athlete's that make it possible with civilized compassion.

Posted by: Helene Caplice | June 8, 2008 10:23 PM

FYI: There was actually a study (or studies) done that proved that TBs that are trained for racing at an earlier age actually develop bone that is LESS prone to injury. Because they tend to mature at a faster rate than most other breeds, they are trained earlier.
I'm not saying all training practices are good, bad or indifferent, just want you to know the facts. We actually discussed this in my Equine Anatomy and Physiology class and it surprised most of the class as well.

Posted by: Karly | June 9, 2008 04:53 PM

Well said, Jack. I agree completely!

Posted by: Emily | June 11, 2008 12:10 PM

jack. this is wonderful. im so sad that your going to stop writing for PETA ='[ i'll miss you! you always have the best imput on these situations, it gives me something good to say when people ask me about it! also on your other blogs about vegetarianism, you give great ideas! your a wonderful person, i really apreciate you

Posted by: Julie | June 17, 2008 09:01 PM

We all love you Barbaro and Eight Belles .Rest in peace the both of you are fee

Posted by: steve moreno | June 20, 2008 01:43 PM

Sure, SOME horses are treated like gold. BUT MOST OF THEM ARE NOT!
It's like saying "oh, sure runway models are too skinny, but they're healthy" x_x

Posted by: Ana Cardoso | June 22, 2008 02:37 PM

I RECENTLY GOT MY SATURDAYS PAPER...SAID THAT BIG RED WAS DRUGGED BY RICK DUTROW..THE DRUG IS WINSTROL..BIG RED LOST..CAME IN LAST PLACE...I AM PRAYING THAT HE ISN'T SENT TO THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE..AS WELL AS OTHERS HAVE...EIGHT-BELLES AND BARBARO WERE ALSO GIVEN THE DRUG...THIS PERSON ALSO DRUGS HIS OWN HORSES..EVEN COLTS...I WISH I WAS WITH YOU...TO STOP ALL ABUSE...THIS IS ON MY BLOG AS WELL AS HORSES..RACE..ALL..BEING SLAUGHTERED...A CHEROKEE...NANCY....

Posted by: Nancy Junalaska | June 23, 2008 12:27 AM

The need for speed in amazing. As a cross country runner myself, I push myself past injury, bleeding wounds, pain, and exhaustion in order to be faster, stronger, and to win that race. For some, including Thoroughbreds, they DO love to run.

Posted by: Paint-Mare | June 26, 2008 07:36 PM

Nancy...
The horses name is Big Brown not Big Red.. Big Red was the nick name for Secretariat. When you said the horse was drugged ---- the drug was WINSTROL a steroid used in training... Many horseman still question whether or nor it is effective. And please there is no coalition between EIGHT-BELLES AND BARBARO and Big Brown. I've witnessed horses breaking ankles running in their own fields... not on any drugs. And No he will not be sent to a SLAUGHTER HOUSE.. He was sold for over 50 million dollars..... Please take the time to ask questions and learn the truth... Again knowledge is power.
Dave

Posted by: Dave | June 30, 2008 05:45 PM

I agree about them racing Eight Bells to early, but clearly the horses who run in the big time races do not get sent to slaughter. For example Barbaro his owners did every thing possible to save him. If thats not love i dont know what is.

Posted by: shelby | July 11, 2008 08:20 PM

I have worked on the backside (the race track) and i have several points

FIRST: THE HORSES ARE TREATED BETTER THAN THE JOCKEYS (AND EXCERCISE RIDERS, GROOMS, TRAINERS, ETC ETC ETC)

PETA, when your right you right. Money is a factor in how we race and train our horses. But it's to the opposite affect to what you believe-we must take care of our charges to make money at all. If we abuse our mounts they won't love what they do. And therefore they won't run (and make us money.)

SECOND: EIGHT BELLES WAS NOT FRAGILE BECAUSE SHE WAS RACED YOUNG; SHE WAS FRAGILE BECAUSE OF IMPROPER BREEDING.

PETA you have me here. Eight Belles was pushed past her abilities. Period. You win that argument no question. However you can not claim she was pushed past her capabilities by her jockey, her owner, her trainer or any human caretaker. Her heart was simply stronger than her body. Which brings me to my third and last point...

THIRD: THEY LOVE TO RUN!!

When I first got my gallop license, I was given to the care of a seasoned jockey to teach me the ropes. Besides the usual banter on rules, regulations (all ENFORCED to ensure the safety of our equines...) he also mentioned one last jewel of advice; "never hold it against yourself if a horse breaks away and decides to run. Your not near as strong as that horse and you won't ever be able to hold them back if they really want to, they feel good when they run and sometimes they just need their freedom." (As a last note we do! turn horses out. Go to any backside, and while they won't be mile long pastures and they won't be at every barn, every RESPECTABLE trainer uses them)

Posted by: kara | August 10, 2008 08:31 PM

Where are you getting this info? Maybe some horses are sent to slaughter houses, but the ones that don't make the cut get sold as pets! You guys are unreal and VERY uneducated in this sport I can see. I was born and raised in the heart of horse country and have been around horse racing ALL my life and used to even work for a trainer and NONE of what you say goes on at many places...people make things up and draw stuff out...wake up and go bug people for things that are actually wrong...

Posted by: Kris | August 17, 2008 10:54 PM

As someone who is entering the industry, I will concede on your first point. Medication is overused in the industry. Phenylbutazone, a NSAID commonly used for pain relief (the equivalent of aspirin, for those who aren't familiar with it) was once banned. When Dancer's Image won the Kentucky Derby and was found to have it in his system, he was disqualified. We need to stop relying on medications.

As for the fragile part; yes, early training contributes to some racehorse breakdowns. But the reality is, most of those breakdowns are directly linked to the bloodlines. Soft-boned horses are being overbred. Storm Cat is a well-known sire, who is also well known for giving his foals bad feet. Training, in moderate amounts, such as most young horses receive, actually works to strengthen and develop the bones.

As for slaughter...there are great rescue groups, such as CANTER, who work to rehome ex-racehorses. However, as distasteful as it is, it's a necessary evil. I am opposed to slaughter, but the reality is, since the slaughter ban took place, there has been a gigantic glut on the market. Breeders aren't being responsible and too many horses are being produced. Horses are being neglected because their owners can't afford to care for them. I've seen horses selling at auction for ridiculously low prices, and a local auction sold a perfectly sound, rideable horse for $50. People are practically giving them away. Honestly, the ex-racehorses are being treated the best of them all, because they are getting rehomed through organizations that make sure they'll be in good homes. Most horses aren't so lucky.

Maybe, instead of complaining about the racing industry, you should go check out the rest of the horse industry and see all the horses who are dying of neglect because there's nowhere for them to go.

Posted by: Kate | September 29, 2008 03:02 PM

As I read through the many posts on Eight Bells death, it appeared to me that many people are just looking for an excuse to criticize the horse industry. I do agree that what happened to her was horrific, and there should be steps to improve the conditions under which these horses race. I have been involved in the horse industry most of my life, and for some people to accuse everyone in the industry to be cruel and ignorant is insane. Yes, some pleasure horse are started at 18 months some are started at 2 years, have you ever seen the care and concern that goes into preparing these horses for the show pen? I can speak for myself and others that no expense is spared, the best possible feed and medical attention is given to them. My horse are seen by a chiropractor one a month, if any lameness is detected they are sent off for a full body scan, do you have any idea what that costs? As for happiness, come to my barn and you tell me who’s happier, my horse standing in a stall with a fan on them and a fly system in the barn or a horse left out in a pasture or better yet a mustang having to scrounge for food! Please completely educate yourself before criticizing us!

Posted by: RBM | October 7, 2008 07:04 PM

Before I make anyone angry, race horses are run too young, which results in many career ending injuries.

But if you honestly say that race horses don't love to run, then you don't know race horses.

I work and ride at a hunter-jumoer barn where we have many off the track horses. While my own paint mare will will throw bucks that give me crazy whip-lash, all these ex-race horses are interested in is running.

For them, being naughty is taking off at a full gallop and not stoping. No bucking. No stopping. No swerving, rearing, or backing up. They only want to run. After it's out of their system, they're fine.

Posted by: Just sayin' | April 12, 2009 10:31 PM