Charge the Owner with Cruelty! See Paul Moran's blog entry prior to the race....

Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Eight Belles deserves better
Louisville, Ky.

Where are the animal rights activists when you need them?

Eight Belles was entered in the 134th Kentucky Derby on Wednesday. Success would demand that she run 10 furlongs faster than 19 males. There is the most remote possibility that she will succeed, this covered by one of life’s immutable truths: Anything can happen in a horse race.

What is far more likely is that Eight Belles will be permanently scarred by the experience.

Three fillies have won the Derby, in 1915, Genuine Risk, Genuine Risk, in 1981, and Winning Colors, whose victory will mark its 20th anniversary on Saturday.

Regret, though she was generally unsound, was an extremely fast filly whose regularly defeated males. But Genuine Risk and Winning Colors were nothing like Eight Belles. Both were big, rugged fillies who competed against males on even physical terms. Winning Colors defeated males in the Santa Anita Derby before the Derby. Genuine Risk prepped for the Derby in the Wood Memorial, in which she finished third.

Eight Belles has nothing in common with those fillies.

She is, however, a beautifully conformed filly, light-framed and feminine. Her misfortune is not trainer Larry Jones, who skirts the issue uncomfortably. A trainer who criticizes the decisions made by an owner will not be training for long. Though he came here a year ago with Hard Spun, who was runner-up to Street Sense, Jones shows no symptoms of Derby fever and he seems uncomfortable discussing Eight Belles’ chances in the Derby. Owner Rick Porter, however, is apparently beset by Derby fever.

Unlike the three fillies who have won the Derby, Eight Belles has never faced males nor has she attempted a race beyond 1 1/16. She has won her last four races, one in New Orleans, three in Arkansas but none in Grade I company. She would be formidable in the Oaks on Friday, in which Jones has Proud Spell for more reasonable, less vain connections who are probably concerned with the welfare and well being of their prized filly.

There is no reason beyond vanity to run Eight Belles in the Derby, either. As a breeding prospect, her value may be increased but a broodmare can produce only one foal a year. Breeders found it almost impossible for Genuine Risk to conceive and Winning Colors has had no impact as a broodmare.

The only thing that might have saved Eight Belles from the cruelty she is about to endure was a poor post position but the draw put her connections sixth in order of selection, assuring a favorable position in the barrier a day after she drew the outside post in a field of 12 entered in the Oaks. She will face the firing squad from post five.

Porter has enjoyed great success, having owned the very good filly, Jostle, a Grade I winner in 2000, Round Pond, winner of the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Distaff and Hard Spun, who he sold for an enormous amount of money last year. Porter should know better. He should also show a bit of compassion for a very nice, still developing filly who, if he sends her into the teeth of a buzzsaw on Saturday, may very well leave he career in the shadows of the twin spires. If so, it will be a sad, sad day. –PM

Posted by: Maura | May 5, 2008 02:15 PM

What a tragedy. Are we really surprised to hear this, with all the mishandling, and cruelty surrounding the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, and everywhere horse racing takes place. KHRA needs to make many changes starting like yesterday. I hope they listen to PETA.

Posted by: Pamela L. | May 5, 2008 02:16 PM

I am in total agreement with what Ingrid has asked for.
We signed petitions in San Diego and asked Del Mar to put down the polytrack.
They listened to us.
The track was finished last year at a cost of 9 million.
Now we hope someday we can do away with all race tracks.
It pays to be involved.
Peace, for all animals!

Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter for Animals | May 5, 2008 02:46 PM

What century do we live in where we still whip animals to get them to do what we want? it makes me ill thinking about those poor creatures. "They love to run" my ass....

Posted by: Laura | May 5, 2008 02:55 PM

The trainer for Eight Belles should have known and acted with foresight and compassion for this beautiful horse. He has a cruel side as I've observed some of his behaviour in the past.The jockey was only taking orders which doesn't excuse his not taking responsibility but believe the trainer is mostly responsible!
Thanks,
Colleen Trumbo

Posted by: colleen trumbo | May 5, 2008 03:32 PM

It's simple:
No one Allowed under the age of 5yrs.
No Drugs
No Whips

An a decent place to retire after their 'career'
Not on a plate after being murdered in a way that you could not even imagine.

Otherwise, it's like sending our 7 year old children out to compete in the Indy 500...yeah It might be entertaining for some...but would it be the right thing to do?
No, horses have not properly developed there bone structure and the strength needed for these preformences.

Posted by: Michelle | May 5, 2008 03:35 PM

I made a post in the Entertainment, Horse Racing, Eight Belles PETA BLOG. But I want to add that I agree with the al the Sports Writers that are saying to the men of Horse Racing, "Come on now boys, you have been exposed; so start cleaning up the act." Enough is enough. Most people need to visually see a racing whip. They are over an inch thick with a metal core. Not many respond to whip abuse, at least not for long, and they start to fight back; which then makes them dangerous as pleasure horses when the race career is over. I know, I have had several to rehab into nice riding horses, but in later years show one a whip and they become very aggressive and rightly so.

Posted by: Mary McCrea | May 5, 2008 05:20 PM

I am so proud that PETA immediately responded to this tragedy. I did the same on my own... writing people involved in the Kentucky Derby itself (not knowing whom to contact). I also checked this site today and sent the letter provided. I hope that enough people speak out so that these animals can be protected. Horse racing is barbaric!

Posted by: Patty Oliver | May 5, 2008 05:54 PM

McKelvey, (the famous TV star survivor and favourite to win) also died after sustaining an injury in the Grand National Race in England in April. It was reported that he was the 174th horse to die this year. Horse and dog racing has always been pretty sordid behind the scenes but thanks to some animal rights groups and now PETA things will have to change or they will now be looked upon as another form of blood sport!

Posted by: Maureen | May 5, 2008 06:01 PM

There has got to be something more important to be doing than trying to worry about an injured horse. Maybe that's just me.

Posted by: Joe | May 5, 2008 06:55 PM

I'm not sure who Paul M. is but he must know a bit about horseracing. Trainer L.Jones should have read Paul's post prior to the race on Saturday. I am a licensed race trainer, and I can't agree more with what Paul had to say in his 4/30 post. It breaks my heart about what happened to Eight Belles. But blaming Saez is not the answer. Getting owners and the tracks to recognize that young horses are not ready for the demanding work load required for racing is what needs to take place. 2 and 3 years old is too young. Yet, the big money races are held for 2,3 and 4 yr olds. Synthetic surfaces will help, but the bottom line is the responsibility of the trainer. It is always the trainer. Too often the owner gets sweept up in the fact that he has a "star" athlete in his barn and the trainer feeds in to it. The whole ordeal was unfortunate, both for the industry and especially for Eight Belles. A horse that has the body to win and the heart to win, will race its guts out to win. Perhaps what happened Saturday will affect what happens in the future.

Posted by: Leslie Bickel | May 5, 2008 07:06 PM

A few points:
1) The jockey is not to blame, because he's put on orders. The owner/trainer should be held accountable, not the jockey.

2) Unfortunately, thoroughbred horses are bread and trained so that they build up muscles, but not bone density.

3) Being put down in front of a crowd is just not right. Imagine a six year old girl who want a pony watching this being scared for life.

4) Races like the Blockhouse Steeplechase have already banned the use of whips. Also, horses must be at least 4 to race.

So why hasn't the derby caught on?

Posted by: Christina | May 5, 2008 07:12 PM

I have raced and bred TB race horses. And I agree with PETA's letter to Kentucky Horse Racing Authority.
I don't believe in racing young horses-especially big/tall young horses, their bones are not strong enough yet. What were they thinking running her before the age of 4? The Horse racing industry would have all horses they needed to fill races-if they would put a ban on running 2 year olds and limit 3 year old racing. We will never know how many great race horses there could have been. Because they were broke down at such an early age. Race Horses put there lives on the line when that gate opens up. Where is the respect they deserve?

Posted by: Linda Anderson | May 5, 2008 07:42 PM

PETA, I support your actions much of the time, but calling for the suspension of Eight Belle's jockey is a misdirected attack on the wrong individual. Believe me, this young man did everything right. I ask that instead you focus your considerable influence on the entire horse racing industry especially the breeders, who are moving more and more toward horses with fine bones that while perhaps will allow for some increase in speed, more often result in breakdowns both on the track and off.

I ask again that you not attack this young man, and instead go for the big guys who are ultimately responsible for this tragedy.

Thank you.

Posted by: Horse Woman | May 5, 2008 08:00 PM

I am appalled at what happened. And have never been a member of PETA...where do I sign-up? This is disgusting...is there anything I can do?

Posted by: Barbara | May 5, 2008 08:08 PM

Horses are not fully mature until at least age 5. Thoroughbreds are very large bodied proportionately for their bone structure. Although these althletes receive some of the best conditioning and veterinary care in the industry in most cases, they start very stressful work at too early a stage in their development. It is greed driven and notin the best interest of the equine participants.

Posted by: Kay | May 5, 2008 08:18 PM

Someone in my family owns race horses and it is strictly a money making investment. Most owners will run an injured horse in a lower allowance or claiming race hoping someone will claim it. If the horse is not injured they will race it in a smaller purse race and make big bets on it. The owners, trainers & jockeys are all in on this scam. Ban horse-racing now.

Posted by: Anne | May 5, 2008 08:24 PM

I made a point of not watching the Kentucky Derby this year to protest the needless death of Barbaro. You can imagine my outrage when I learned that another horse has been been killed because of this so-called "sport of kings".

How many more beautiful animals have to die before this cruel sport is finally outlawed?

Posted by: David R. | May 5, 2008 08:26 PM

Most likely this will probably be censored out as PETA is always right and never wants to hear the other side of an argument but I will write it anyways. All of the posts I have read so far are obviously from people who know nothing about horse racing. I agree it is tragic that Eight Belles had to be euthanized but if you knew anything about horses you would realize this to ease her painful suffering as soon as possible because there is no way that she could be saved. Without being able to put weight on both feet evenly a horse, any breed, can get lamitis, a painful and deadly disease. A horse has only one artery in each leg and if that is damaged, which in most leg injuries it does the blood supply is cut and irreversable damage is done. You can't suspend the horse to heal them either as they will thrash about and seriously injure themselves or others. These injuries happen. Horses legs bear a lot of weight and regardless if they are racing, giving recreational rides to children, or just walking in a pasture if a horse takes a bad step they can easily break their legs. It is not the breading or training that makes them weak, they just are, it was the way they have been throughout history. I do agree with the argument about how the tracks need to be all synthetic (polytrac) or turf. Dirt is dangerous but over the course of a season, with how many races are ran, very few horses actually break down.
To how the horses are treated. Obviously you have not done any research. These horses are treated much better than most people are. They are investments and are will taken care of. Also, most definately they are not butchered at the end of their lives. You don't slaughter a million dollar investment. I have been around horses and horse racing for 30 years seeing the good and bad. Yes some of the small tracks need to be looked at for the abuse of horse as most of them are bought and sold for a fraction of what derby horses are. Most of the time these horses are ran until they ultimately die which I am completely against. But don't judge all of horse racing on what happened Saturday. Most trainers and owners care greatly about their horses. Look at Barbaro for example. Even if he had made it through the surgery that the owners spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on they knew he would never run again. They did it out of compasion and love for their horse. It wasn't about the money. If you say it was for the breeding money you are wrong again. They can extract the horses seman and freeze it (in todays thoroughbred world horses are inseminated).
On to the jockey. You are calling for him to suspended. He did nothing wrong. I watched the replay at least 20 times and that horse was not hurt before the end of the race. If she did have microfractures there is no way he would have known. She was still competitive and happy as she slowed to a gallop at the end of the race. If she was in pain there is no way her ears would have been pricked like they were, and she would have been favoring her leg. The jockeys care as much for the horses as everyone else does. I guarentee if he Saez thought anything was wrong he would have pulled her up in a heartbeat. For the whipping...these horses are not whipped like you are making it out to be. If any of these jockeys "mercifullesly" whipped any of these horses they would never ride again. The jockeys show them the whip, which means they brush the end against their flank in a circular motion to let them know it is time to make thier move.
Please before you make any crazy accusations get your facts straight.

Posted by: Jackson Meyer | May 5, 2008 09:34 PM

I am a member of Peta; Today May5th,I was at delaware race track To call Jocky of eight bells horse killer. asst,trainer called me stupid an to shut up.he also told me to craw under a rock and die. I said some choice words back .these are the type of people that are takeing care and making decisions on where they run. I only pray that something is done to stop this curelty.

Posted by: Christine L Ellick | May 5, 2008 10:09 PM

I live in Lexington, Kentucky, am an avid horse racing fan, and on many levels disappointed with Chruchill Downs. They epitomize corporate greed in virtually everything they do.

I too agree poly or cushion track should be mandated. Keeneland Race Course and Turfway Park have already installed the surface. Churchill Downs for many reasons is resistant saying the main reason is the ‘tradition’ surrounding the Kentucky Derby.

You may not know this, but one of the most traditional portions of the Kentucky Derby is the singing of My Old Kentucky Home, the State song. However, in order to be politically correct the song was change to rewrite the words “the darkies are gay” as it is demeaning towards African Americans. A song older than the Kentucky Derby can be changed to come into the mainstream, yet the surface the horses run on cannot.

If you want to be effective on this issue, you need know what is the motivating factor to those you are trying to court. Expanded Gaming.

The Governor is trying to run legislation to allow for a constitutional amendment, which would allow for slot machines at all race tracks and selected other sites. Unfortunately, opposition is stalling his vision to add needed revenue to a strapped budget.

I have to believe if PETA supported the Governor’s expanded gaming legislation, which allowed for a gaming license and a share of gaming revenues for tracks which installed and raced on poly track would become a very economically motivating factor for Churchill Downs.

My guess is 30 days after legislation passed; a new surface would be under construction… Identify what you want, plan a strategy and execute. You can get what you want here; you just need to know how to leverage your support.

Posted by: Brian | May 5, 2008 10:14 PM

I never thought of horse racing to be dangerous until today, Owwwwwww My Goshhhhh! how disturbingly sad!!! that this horse ran to it's death, I don't know whether it was proud of itself and ran to win, and pushed itself too far, or like the other comments stated being whipped to run, but wouldn't the horse buck you or throw you off, I thought horses were very intelegent and wouldn't let anyone beat them like that, (I don't understand?) but one thing and I too agree now, that horse racing like this should be banned, but we all know too well with the money involved it will not, but I will surely stand for their protection till it is banned, I was so touched, I cried here at work. & this is the second year in a row now, goodness gracious when are these people going to learn, this is absolutely outragous, i also agree with what other people are saying, what is the difference between this and dog fighting, and anyother animal suffering for human entertainment. I know GOD speaks of man being over animal, but not to the animals suffering surely, This can't be right, I wish we could end this all.
No animal testing
No animal fighting or racing
No animal abuse or slaying, they say a dog is mans best friend, well so is the next animal and the next.
No No No. More it's all to end and end now..............

Posted by: Uk | May 5, 2008 10:22 PM

I have the utmost respect for PETA, but these requests are uninformed and misplaced. We need to look at breeding and medication, not whips and tracks. Although breeding and medicines have received cursory attention in your calls for reform, they are being overshadowed by the misplaced cries of cruelty aimed at the jockey and owner. Anyone who has been around horse racing knows that these elite animals are incredibly well cared for and loved. But, in an effort to create speed, thoroughbred breeders opt for light and quick over durable. That all 20 horses can be traced to a single horse from the 1950's is testament to this genetic shaping. The light bones that result are more likely to break and the ability to use steroids and other medicines (many of which are banned in racing outside the US) to mask pain and abnormalities is where we need to focus. An overarching horse racing commission could help greatly in this effort. But do not blame owner and jockey as they love and care for these animals and are grieving more than any of us.

Posted by: Steve James | May 6, 2008 07:09 AM

LETS FACE IT WHEN IT COMES TO A DOLLAR NOTHING IS SAFE. THESE HORSES ARE SO DOPED UP WITH STEROIDS AND THE OWNER AND TRAINERS KNOW ALL TO WELL THAT THESE HORSES ARE NOT SOUND. LOOK AT THE OTHER GREAT BLACK BEAUTY "RUFFIEN".
JUST LIKE THE HORRIFIC GREED OF THE BRACH'S CANDY QUEEN HIRING SCUM TO DO HORRIBLE THINGS TO HER HORSES JUST TO COLLECT THE INSURANCE MANY.
OH YA! THEY REALLY TREAT THE HORSES GREAT DON'T THEY.

Posted by: SHARIE DELLA | May 6, 2008 09:04 AM

What PETA is calling for is not going to happen. Your voices will be heard but racing is far too much of a commodity to state governments for them to give up millions and millions and dollars a year. No Horse Racing equates to monies not being able to fund many state departments. Asking a racetrack to install a different surface is preposterous. What PETA should be fighting is how a veterinarian is giving a diagnosis of a horse in two minutes right on the track and than administering euthanasia to the horse. The horse should be given some type of pain meds, brought in an ambulance to a clinic and given a full prognosis. If there is nothing the vets can do there, than putting the horse down is a viable option. Putting a horse down with a white cape right down on the track is the inhumane of carrying out there business. Also, some part of the handle taken in from the state needs to be put towards research in ways to find ways that a broken leg or ankle is not a death sentence.

Posted by: Dan | May 6, 2008 09:41 AM

Why would PETA just want to "reduce" the number for incidents like this? I would think they would want to stop "all" incidents like this. I suspending this jockey and trainer going to stop this from happening to other horses? Did this jockey and trainer do anything different from all the other jockeys and trainers out there? Why just ask for reforms, why not ask for the complete ban of all horse racing activities? Can someone answer these simple questions for me?

Posted by: Curious | May 6, 2008 09:53 AM

Growing up in Kentucky, I loved horse racing and spent many wonderful afternoons at Keeneland. 20 years ago I saw a horse break down and I made a decision to never go back to the track. Peta generally does a wonderful job of standing up for the rights of animals. The response to the horrific injuries and death of Eight Belles, however, is way off track. Blaming the jockey is a sure way to lose support from anyone who knows anything about the horse business and others who might be sympathetic to Peta's demands. I'd really like to know what evidence there is to support the idea that the jockey knew that the filly was injured before she broke down. Jockeys make very little money, they starve themselves in order to make weight, they suffer numerous serious injuries in their careers,and most of them do not have health insurance. They are often victims of racings crueler side, along with the horses they ride. Blaming the jockey, who by all accounts had no idea that the horse was injured and who seems to be heartbroken and mystified that he is being blamed, is a big mistake and one that will keep many people from becoming supporters of Peta. Peta should concentrate on their other demands and add to them the idea that race horses need to be bred for durability, not just for speed.

Posted by: eileen | May 6, 2008 09:54 AM

Reading some of these comments brings me to the conclusion that a lot of you who are shouting for the jockey to be banned really know nothing about horses. While I COMPLETELY agree with the regulation of age and when horses are allowed to race I don't agree with the bashing of the jockey. If you look at the tape of Barbaros, you can CLEARLY see the jockey pulling him back but with little effect. Race horses are bred to run...that's what they do. They're not like humans where when we feel pain we stop. They're flight animals which means that if something happens that they don't understand they'll flee...run...try to escape. I had a horse with the same injury only on one leg. I was on the ground working her on a long line when it happened and it took me a few minutes to get her to stop. THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND. But clearly with Eight Belles the jockey was NOT pushing her to run when she collapsed. These animals live better than most of the people I know. Even my own. If you want to show concern for animals in sports, pay more attention to rodeos! You will be disgusted by what you see. I support you in regulating when these horses can race but learn more about an animal and how they react before you go up in arms and attack a rider.

Posted by: Erin | May 6, 2008 09:55 AM

Why are these horses allowed to train hard and race at 2 & 3 yrs old? In the hunter jumper world ponies and horses do not get a permanent measurement card until they are 6 years old. Why? Because they are still growing!! Racing at 2 or 3 is like putting a ist grader into HS or College sports. Ridiculous & asking for tragedy!

Posted by: Mary | May 6, 2008 09:57 AM

As an avid horse lover ( I own one now and have always owned one) it too broke my heart to see Eight Belles go down and then having to be euthanized on the track. However, I have worked at Churchill Downs as a youngster so I know first hand how it works. I can't begin to tell you, explain to you, that these God created creatures do love to run. There is nothing more beautiful than to lie on the ground on the backstretch of a racetrack and watch 15 horses come thundering down the track from the distance to pass you by. It is truly breathtaking. As for "whipping". Obviously you know nothing about the use of the riding crop in the horse industry. If you believe it is used in a cruel manner then I ask this question "In all the Derby, Preakness, Belmont races do you see any of the horses shy away from the rider carrying a crop?" If the riders were indeed inflicting pain the horses would react just as any abused animal would. Anytime the crop was brought around the horse would back away, shy away. Riding crops are used just as spurs are used. As "cues". Please learn before you make judgements. Also, the Thoroughbred industry has made a tremendous effort in all aspects, from the usage of drugs, to "pin-firing" , to running of sick horses. They have created Retirement Farms all over the United States just for the horses who just didn't make it on the track any more.

Having said all of that, having a filly run against a colt is just plain hard to do. It is just like humans. Females are not built the same. Ruffian did the same. She was an extraordinary filly. I think she would have won, but we will never know. Young aged horses where their bones are not fully matured and also being a female. It can be disasterous. But are you going to discriminate because of gender? But as it was said " they can and do injure themselves in stalls, in the pastures, any where." Any animal does. It is that once again "the media" caught this and your organization has blown "animal rights" out of proportion. I am an animal welfarist. I believe in the welfare of all animals. I am not the extremist that you are. I pray that you can focus your energy, attention and money on what really matters, help situations instead of trying to "STOP" situations. People and organizations would be more apt to listen if you had ideas to help instead of obliterate. Stomping your feet, demanding just like a 2 year old child. Banning the rider, the trainer is going to do what? Horses need encouragement to move strategically and on the stretch when asked. Again it is a cue. So removing the crop won't work. Again, think.

Posted by: texashorselover | May 6, 2008 10:20 AM

Thank heaven for Steve James post, an island of sanity in a sea of emotion and misinformation.
The problem is multi pronged, and I agree completely with Steve's statements. I am also wondering if these elite race horses undergo a basic "jog/soundness check" conducted by the racing authorities prior to going out to race. This is standard practice at all three day events, as well as at most high level equestrian competitions of all types. This may not be practical for all racing but it should be required at the very least, for all graded races. And all racehorses regardless of their level should undergo some sort of mandatory soundness check at regular intervals. Protection of the animals should be of utmost concern. Knee jerk reactions and personal attacks are not useful in this situation. The majority of the posters on this board need to grow up and
deal with reality.

Posted by: baker | May 6, 2008 11:26 AM

Re. PETA's well-founded calls for changes in horse racing and specific inquiries following the death of filly Eight Belles: As a horsewoman from the arguably the best thoroughbred horse country in America (Marion County, Florida), I want to applaud PETA for its swift response to the Kentucky Derby tragedy. However, I would like to suggest the following: 1. Limited races for TWO YEAR OLDS whose bodies need time to mature 2. A focus not on why the jockey "whipped" the race horse (this misses the point) but why the jockey did not immediately halt and dismount his horse at the finish line when he admitted he felt the filly waver instead of letting her gallop on for a half mile (THAT is the issue). Your point about synthetic race tracks is one well taken and no doubt will be the future of horse racing. Thank God for PETA and its willingness to protect the creatures of this world.

Posted by: Sandi Robison | May 6, 2008 11:36 AM

i had a horse break a leg in a field he had just taken a bad step i had witnessed it myself does that mean turning horses out is inhumane and should be banned? give the rider a break it was no way his fault

Posted by: becky | May 6, 2008 12:06 PM

There are too many horses at the starting gate in the first place.This is no noble sport in my opion its all about greed and insurance money.I would like to see a lawsuit stopping this claimant from receiving a monetary award for this atrocious exibit.Whether public or private all actions against animals should be punished.Period!They are Gods gift to us to appreciate not abuse.This filly had tremendous potential, however,due to her lack of physical maturity because of her young age no one will ever see it come to fruition.She ran her heart out for NOTHING.Whatever you can do now is the time.
Gina

Gina

Posted by: Gina Klempel | May 6, 2008 01:07 PM

To Jackson Meyer who stated that most don't understand how horses are treated. I know how they are treated, and I will tell you. They are overrun race horses, not living such a great life, kept in a tiny stall, standing in the stall for hours, upon hours, until they are finally let out. Some develop such habits as headweaving, cribbing, and will even mutilate themselves, to relieve boredom. And in this case...run to death. If you go thru any racetrack the smell of medication is quite heavy. Now, you may say that any athlete would have the same situation, but the clear distinction is that with a human athlete, they CHOOSE this for themsleves. A horse would never. A stall is prison for them. Yes, in fact they do love to run. But to be bred and forced to run, only when it's convenient to the human, not for the pure pleasure of running, but especially when money is involved. The body is not meant to sustain that type of stress, and especially at the young age the horses are running now. Their bodies cannot take the stress.
And unfortunately, even the most expensive show horses and race horses can make their way to the slaughter house. I have been at horse sales, and have seen the broken down, and appalling way these horses have been cast aside, because their best days are overwith. Their legs are sometimes ruined, and they can never ever be rehabilited for pleasure riding. Is this the way we pay them back for the entertainment they have given us? I guess so..because then their sold for 80 cents per body weight...and end up in slaughter.

As far as the circular whipping goes, I may not have such good eye sight, but I think we all could see just how hard and fast the jockey was beating his whip on the horses' flank. I mean, isn't that the point, to get the horse going? But if they really wanted to move quickly, you wouldn't have to force whip them, would you?
Yes, maybe considered a lot what PETA is asking the horse racing industry to do, however, it is a long time coming, and one cannot have all the gain, and pleasure, without the pain. Something good will come about because of this tradegy. And the one to bear the the expense of it, is that of the life of a horse. A lesson learned, I should think.

Posted by: Robyn | May 6, 2008 01:36 PM

texashorselover, I'm afraid you have some misconceptions.

Horses don't shy away from the whip when the trainer approaches them because they are not being whipped in the face. They are not expecting the whip to hit their face, so they don't react that way.

Also, if you think the whip feels like a "cue", try it on yourself. Seriously, maybe they can handle a bit more pain but if it wasn't painful in general, it would not be effective. It's not a "cue". The cue to the horse is that they are in a race!

Posted by: Maya, CVT | May 6, 2008 02:03 PM

I feel one of the biggest problems is Training/Racing these horses at these very young ages. Horses mature different by breed but NO horse should be ridden until it's 3 and for a horse to be expected to race at this level at 3 is asking for trouble. Light saddle training should be allowed at 2 2 1/2 if needed.
Yes these horses are taken care of because there worth money but if they lose and lose what then? Just google race horse rescues and you will see the majority aren't as loved if they are not making money.
I also hear this Big Brown has feet problems so are we looking at another breakdown in two weeks?

Posted by: Kathleen | May 6, 2008 02:12 PM

something is wrong there at the breeding program,
according to wall st jornal's jon weinbach, 75% american throughbred race horse has the famous race horse in the 50s " native dance ( 1950-1967)'s dna, which includes 13 of the dery winners.
every competitor in horse racing is a descendent of him in america.

Posted by: ann | May 6, 2008 02:29 PM

I've been an avid horse owner for all of my life. While I agree that Thorobreds are probably the most abused equines in the horse world, I don't believe it's for many of the reasons some do.

I get amused by those who think the whips they use in racing are cruel. I've never seen any whelps or blood on any racehorse from the stick. They are humane and make more noise than anything. Keep in mind these horses weigh in excess of 1,000 pounds. That little switch startles them more than hurts them. Get real.

Another thing. The main reason for the injuries is the simple fact that THEY RIDE THEM MUCH TOO YOUNG! Horse have growth plates in their legs, and should not be ridden before 2 years of age. Not even then if their plates aren't sufficiently closed. It's like putting a soldier's pack on a kid of about 6 years of age, since we figure one year of human life is equal to 4 years in an equine's life. So many of the horses "break down" in one way or another mainly because they're just not mature enough physically, or mentally, to put that much stress on. These are wonderful critters and would have so many more useful years if they were just allowed to mature more.

I'm disgusted that the jockey is being blamed for this horrific death. He was doing his job. He's not to blame the horse was run too young. Ultimatly, blame the owners. Don't tell me they can't afford to keep a horse one year longer before they ride them. If they can't afford it, they have no business being in the business anyway.

Look, folks. These animals are just that...animals. I don't condone cruelty in any form. I don't condone ignorance, either. When you compare horses to their handlers, you have to maintain the upper hand or be the "boss hoss" or they will eat your lunch! Have you ever watched horses in nature? Have you ever seen what they do to EACH OTHER to establish pecking order in herds? They savagely bite & kick each other. Leave bloody wounds on each other. And you growl about a little whip in a race? Have you ever seen what damage a horse can do if not properly handled? It ain't pretty some of the injuries I've seen. I've seen people put their faces in the face of a horse, kissy kissy, and have part of their faces bitten off. I saw a lady lose an ear once because she was putting her face in a supposedly gentle horse's face. I've seen stallions knock down grown men and do horrible damage to humans, nearly killing one man I know. These are big beasties, people, and you need to handle them accordingly. They're not like a cat or a dog or a pet in the house. They can be VERY dangerous. They can be very aggressive. It's in their nature to establish who's boss. So you better be boss, or you're gonna get hurt. Agreeably, it doesn't mean being cruel and beating an animal, but I gotta tell you, if a thousand-pound-plus horse is dancing on my body, I'm gonna get him off me any way I can! You would, too.

So..before you go hysterical, use your heads and do some homework. Spend some time around these animals. They are wonderful creatures, but they need a hard hand at times. Use only what force is needed and no more, but sometimes a little jerk on a lead line doesn't do the job.

Stop the real abuse all right, but don't go overboard. Common sense will tell you what's abuse and what's not.

Posted by: Barbi Turner | May 6, 2008 03:09 PM

I too was horrified at what took place on Saturday at the Kentucky Derby and have now become a member of PETA. We have a duty to take care of the animals over which we have been given dominion by God.

Posted by: Marihelen Lindsey | May 6, 2008 03:18 PM

One early morning, I went to a local and well known racetrack with my HR Manager to arrange a company outing there during the summer. A track rep was showing my HR manager the facilities and I stood by the track and watched the horses being worked. I caught sight of an exercise rider on a bay horse coming up the stretch from the gap. Another guy on a pony horse was holding the horse being ridden by the exercise rider. As they were trotting up the stretch, the exercise rider took the whip to the bay horse and started hitting him on the rear. I said to my fellow employee "Oh he must be getting ready to turn this horse loose". But as I watched the pony rider wouldn't let go of the horse and was jerking on the bit while the exercise rider kept hitting the horse. As they went past me I stared at them and then the rider started hitting the horse over the head. That was it! I turned to the track rep and said "I hope you follow up with the clockers upstairs because that was totally uncalled for". I then made a complaint with the California Horse Racing Board and met with an investigator. I met her at the track and identified the pony rider and exercise rider. They took my complaint seriously called those guys into the office and the message went out clear and wide in the barn area that that type of treatment was not going to be tolerated either in the afternoon at the races or in the morning or anytime.

Posted by: Been There | May 6, 2008 03:48 PM

I'm 13 years old and I love horses.I was fliping through the channels saterday and was watching the race.I started to cry when they annonced that they had to put Eight Belles down.I dont appreciate the fact of people pushing horses practally to there deth just so they can get money it makes me really upset.I also cried when I read the book about Barbo. I think we need to take action.The people who race the horses are only thinking of them selves.God didnt put horses on this earth for people to push them to there death for money!.

Posted by: Leah | May 6, 2008 03:51 PM

One more time I will try to add some useful info on this message board.They haven't published my comments yet tho.
I was a jockey for many years and you people are crazy to blame the rider. He/or she is not to blame at all. Put the blame squarely where it belongs, on the trainer. Horses tell them when something is wrong and they do not listen. They pump them full of drugs and mask them with other drugs so it does not appear in their urine tests. All the trainers want is that "one more race" and they could care less. They treat them like machines and there is always another waiting in the wings. I could tell many horror stories from behind the scenes of racing but there is not enough room on here. If anyone would like to wake up and know any real facts about it please contact me. k9chtoy38@aol.com I have written a book covering every sordid part of it and I can prove every word.

Posted by: RUCRAZY | May 6, 2008 03:54 PM

I fully agree with Steve James and find PETA's engagement incomplete and contradictory in effect to what needs to be changed. The demand of suspending a trainer and a jockey just feeds the emotional response of some witnesses of Eight Belles' breakdown. If there are no more horse sports there will be no need for horses anymore, it is as simple as that. It is important to change procedures, pressure for breeding laws and regulations for pharmaceuticals. Efforts to this effect are being made, they are far from sufficient and need to be proactively supported and demanded. Accusing individuals and scapegoating do not help in this case.

Posted by: Angelika | May 6, 2008 04:17 PM

Do you guys actually follow horse racing or do you jump on the bandwagon of every breakdown in the sport cause you need to do a little research. Breakdowns happen in every horse sport. Why not stop every horse sport then? Horses were euthanized at the Three- Day Rolex Event. Horse Racing is not all about breakdowns. Eight Belles had a freak accident. She broke down after the race. Freak accidents happen all the time in every horse sport. For example Saint Liam a thoroughbred broke his leg JUST WALKING to his paddock. He wasn't racing and he had been retired for awhile. So quit bashing on horse racing and get your facts straight. Yes some jockeys whip the horse too much but most trainers and in all sports there are abusers will not let that jockey back on the horse. If a horse doesn't like to be whipped it will buck him off and some horses hate the whip. Larry Jones petioned in one track to not let his jockey carry a whip because his horse didn't like one. The jockey didn't carry a whip into that race. For some horses the whip is a light tap to go on. Some need the whip as a signal to go on. Watch horse racing more and your time is better spent helping the horses of all breeds and sports not end up in the slaughter house.

Posted by: Stephanie | May 6, 2008 04:37 PM

to all the horse racing freaks posting up-here: all my life i had horses and i just tell you this: if a horse has the choice it prefers to be free in the fields and not be exploited by human beings who just want to make money! the most cruel things are races where the horse also has to jump! in the wild when a horse has the choice it never jumps but runs beside the obstacles! just humans with empty heads who want to fill their pockets are so ill and perverted to ask this torture from these noble creatures! shame shame shame!

Posted by: Rainbow Warrior | May 6, 2008 04:38 PM

I just wanted to say that you all need to learn about horse racing before you talk bad about it. I'm from Lexington, Kentucky and I see horses and horse farms everyday. These horses are treated very well and are given a great place to retire. The reason you all get so excited about things like this is because you want attention and publicity. Don't demand things that you know nothing about...learn about horse racing, horse farms, and horses in general and then you will realize that you should just be quiet because you don't know what you are talking about.

Posted by: Josh | May 6, 2008 04:47 PM

Get a grip PETA! I wont waste much time on this since you will never post it but, your org has done so much good until the last five years or so then you fell off the deep end of reality. You act as if this is the most horrible event ever to occur to a horse. Whats next, my five yr old has to stop riding his horse because its cruel? To quote your President "“Attending the Derby is as despicable as attending a dogfight"??? That was a joke correct??? The stats show that just over 1 in 1,000 race horse's are injured to the point that they have to be euthanized. That's fewer than drivers of NASCAR, why aren't you helping the drivers by insisting they stop racing? Temper your objections and outcries to a terrible TRAGEDY and stick to true abuse and prevention thereof, not atacking a sport which cares for these animals as much as you claim to.

Posted by: common sense | May 6, 2008 05:35 PM

Horse racing needs to come to terms with the unacceptably high loss of life on the racetrack, both during races and training hours, its abusive use of medication (Eight Belles ran on adjunct medication & lasix), and it's total lack of concern that the majority of these horses will go to slaughter after they have run their guts out for their owners and fans. The United Pegasus Foundation has saved many millionaire horses from feed lots. It has gone on for too long and I pray that the loss of this great filly, Eight Belles helps to turn this sport around. Until that time, I just can't watch anymore.

Posted by: Liz | May 6, 2008 05:53 PM

while i agree with PETA's good intentions i also agree with the comment that talked about horse anatomy..i own several horses that ran the track for many years and i couldnt be happier to get them off...but, i do think that PETA needs to start smaller with their list of wants..being a veteran of the horse racing and eventing industry..ive seen some horrible things done to horses and i am all for banning cruel acts in racing and un safe racing...but like i said, maybe if you reduced your list of desires you could achive more and build up...just a thought.

Posted by: me | May 6, 2008 06:37 PM

First let me say, you can never and will never take away what this wonderful and talented filly did. On the other hand, you also need to do a little more research. So you say Eight Belles was injured before the finish line, when she tilted her head, correct? If you watch more carefully you will observe that at this point she switched her lead, if you even know what that means. Also at this point she was right next to another horse, it would then make sense for her jockey to pull the outside rein cueing her to move away from the rail. If she was so badly injured she wouldn't have been running so easily down the stretch, her stride wouldn't have been so fluid and long. As to banning the use of crops, they are simply used as encouragement. They are also used in many other riding disiplines, are you going to try to ban them here too? And I can't imagine how you could accuse the owner, trainer, and jockey of not loving her, how you could put them under fire knowing the loss they just suffered. This is unethical treatment of people. I never even saw her in person and I cried for hours. I can't imagine how they must feel, everyone that was in contact with the beautiful lady. Yes I do agree that the racing age should be raised, racing babies is not fair. But horse racing may not be fair or safe ever. No matter how hard you try animals and people alike are going to hurt themselves, whether they live in a pasture, a deeply bedded stall, or are raced. These animals are treated like royalty. Remember the race she ran, remember how beautiful she is, and don't try to take that away from her. Revoking the prize money is simply nuts to me. And putting her heartbroken owner, trainer, and jockey in the position they are is cruel.

Enjoy running with Barbaro, girl. You will be forever missed and loved.

Posted by: Molly | May 6, 2008 06:45 PM

Horses can break a leg by simply taking a wrong step..it doesn't matter if they're running in the Kentucky derby or walking around alone in the pasture...it can happen in both situations! Also, the jockey is not at fault..stuff like that happens so fast and if there was an indication that something was wrong he would have pulled her up..those people loved that horse!

I'm all for animal rights and doing what's best for them but peta is too fast to jump down people's throats when something bad happens! Give the jockey a break!!!!

Posted by: Stephanie Becker | May 6, 2008 06:47 PM

I believe that Rick Porter the Owner of Eight Belles, also owned Round Pond. I seem to remember that Round Pond broke down too.

Posted by: Dawn Milton | May 6, 2008 07:01 PM

My family has been in breeding and racing horses for over twenty years. We compete at the smallest of racetracks.I am with the horse from the minute he/she is born to the racetrack.To have a horse suffer a fatal injury would be horrible. I understand how devastated the trainer(Larry Jones) and the connections are.People who work as grooms almost always work seven days a week every day of the year.The horses in thier care are loved. To groom a horse that suffers a fatal injury is your worst nightmare. If this was common none of us would be in this business.Those who are blaming the jockey are very misinformed. When a horse breaks down a jockey could be killed. The jockey thrown to the ground. The last thing a jockey wants is to push an injured horse forward. We have an owner who had a mare injured during a race (she spooked at a shadow).Her knee was shattered. Though it would not be considered a good business move, he never had a second thought he choose to operate and save her life. Knowing that she would never race again. I am looking at her now grazing in the field three years later. Loved and happy.

Posted by: cara | May 6, 2008 07:15 PM

I believe the filly should be tested for steroids.

Posted by: Mark | May 6, 2008 08:00 PM

I love horse racing. I do not love the breakdowns. I do not love people who make unsubtantiated comments and requests. What PETA is asking (with the surface changing and no whips thing) is completely idiotic. It clearly shows an ignorance to the sport and how it is played. Yes, synthetic surfaces do APPEAR to be safer, but they really haven't been around long enough in this country (USA) to prove that they are overall better for horse racing.

Instead of blaming things that hold no responsibility (jockeys, trainers, owners, whips) why not change the things that do matter? By introducing a different breed into the Thoroughbred gene pool with more bone. We might get slightly slower horses at first but eventually it will even out and we will have the same fast horses, without the soundness issues. The greatest horse of the last century, Man O' War, was not technically a full blooded Thoroughbred.

As a horse racing fan I do not like to see horses on such massive amounts of medication. I think that the outlawing of Bute (which is an anti-imflammatory much like asprin) is a fantastic idea. Allow the horses to receive it when they NEED it but not when they NEED it to get through a race. Lasix should be a thing of the past. We see such a problem with "bleeders" in the sport because the technology can catch every little blood drop in the esophogus. Breeding bleeders to bleeders will only produce more bleeders and not help a damn thing. I could care less if the horse is the fastest thing the world has ever seen, if he/she has soundness or other medical issues, I'm not breeding any of my stock to it, end of story.

We don't need to end horse racing, then where would all of these fantastic animals go? All of the breeding stock (particularly the stallions) would depreciate so much in value that they might as well be sent to slaughter as far as the greedy members of the sport are concerned. Instead, give horse racing a chance to change and improve. Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance?

On another note, the connections (jockey, trainer, owner) or Eight Belles are not responsible for her tragic death, just as the connections of Barbaro are not responsible for his breakdown two years ago. Yes, there are, unfortunately, bad seeds in the Sport of Kings, but there are also fantastic people. Take the Jacksons, owner of Barbaro. Barbaro's half brother, Man in Havana, was retired before he even started in a race because they saw that he didn't have potential. Is he in a slaughterhouse? No, he's found a new job that he can be good at.

I'll end this post with quote about humanity that can also be applied to horse racing. "You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty." -Ghandi

Posted by: Susan | May 6, 2008 08:03 PM

I heard on the news 700 horses a year are put down because of injuries on the racetrack. What other so called sport allows this kind of cruelty and death rate?! It is absolutely unacceptable and needs to be stopped. Please support PETA in this effort.

Posted by: Liza | May 6, 2008 08:07 PM

These horses get to go run, horses love to run especially in a herd of horses! Why don't you protest against the caging of dogs and cats in humane societies and pounds!! these animals are suffering!! Accident's happen, even out in the wild it happens.

Posted by: Cathy | May 6, 2008 08:46 PM

Eight Belles was an amazing, big, beautiful horse. I can remember clearly the first time I laid eyes on her at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I am now completely heart broken that she is gone. You all think you are so righteous, but you are the ones who are cruel for making this situation worse. The horse racing world is mourning the loss of an incredible animal and this is making it more difficult on everone. The owner and trainer loved this horse, she was like family to them. I am so glad they gave her the opportunity to do what she loved and run her heart out. She died doing what she loved to do. To take away the sport of horse racing would take away something so beautiful, it would take away the true appreciation of the horse.

As others have said, a horse can just as easily break their leg running across the pasture as they can in a race. For those of you who say horse racing is only about money you obviously know nothing about it. These days the breeding industry is where the money is, and the owners could have made much more from Eight Belles had they kept her alive and sent her to the breeding shed. They never knowingly would have risked her life, because the money they could make wouldn't be worth it in the long run considering the money they could've made in the breeding industry.

Eight Belles went out in glory. She died doing what she was born to do, she was running because she loved it, and all of her instincts told her she should try her hardest to win that race. Unfortunate is not a strong enough word for what happened, it makes me sick just to think about it and not a day has gone by since that I haven't broken down and cried. It makes me even more sick, however, that Eight Belles can't just rest in peace, she can't just be remembered as an incredible champion who ran her heart out. Please stop trying to be righteous and throwing blame where it doesn't belong. Please stop making the pain everone is feeling so much worse. Please stop trying to make Eight Belles some kind of martyr when all she ever wanted to do was run.

Posted by: Molly | May 6, 2008 08:58 PM

These horses love there jobs you can't tell a football player you got to the super bowl and now your not going to play because they would tell you to f off. the same with the horses. I feel PETA needs to back off of Seaz. Knowing a bit about him and knowing how much he cares about the horses he rides you are just making it harder. 2 horses die at the rolex this year and I didn't see PETA out there. that just shows me you are out for the money like everyone else. If was really for the horses you would have been at rolexs too. But the derby is bigger so target that. If you don't work with horses and a horse that competes you really have no say on what happened. these people love there horses. if they didn't why would they work 7-days a week 365 days a year for 12-14 hours a day. 8 bells loved her job and even if Seaz pulled her up in the race 18 horses would have ran her over and other horses would have gotten hurt. you think its so easy and the answer are too. but they're not. Horses are these peoples family their life. 8 bells wasn't just another horse the die at a race. I was a sad day and a big loss to the horse racing world. She will never be forgotten.

Posted by: Blair Golen | May 6, 2008 09:20 PM

This is to David R I believe. For knowing horses you are giving out wrong information. The Jockey Club DOES NOT allow artificial insemination. The stallions have to physically cover the mare.
So any talk of saving severly injured stallions for breeding will not work if the injury prevents the horse from being able to bred the mare.
You can go to their web site if you want to find out for yourself.
Lets try to keep accurate information or we are only confusing the issue.
Thanks

Posted by: T Nyman | May 6, 2008 10:48 PM

For most viewers, it was obvious that Eight Belles was whipped beyond her physical limits. Because of the fierce whipping inflicted by the jockey, it was evident Eight Belles was forced to run in an OVERLY STRESSED manner! Therefore, the two fractured ankles. Eight Belles fate was in the hands of the person riding her, as well as the orders of all involved (trainer/owner). Cues, whipping, or what ever term you would like to use doesn't matter now ... the end result was cruel. Eight Belles was pushed beyond her physical capabilities. The film is proof of that.

Posted by: Anna | May 6, 2008 10:59 PM

A brilliant letter from Ingrid. Like she says, "If horses truly love to run, as the racing industy continually claims, they will run without being beaten."
To those who post here that the horses aren't beaten, the whip is just a cue, my question is, how did the whip become a cue in the first place?

Posted by: lynda downie | May 7, 2008 12:58 AM

I love and own horses, worked with race horses, but over the last five years have been most upset with horses going down? Why are there 3 yr.old horses killing themselves for our entertainment? I refuse to view/attend another horse race until the breeders and the industry take a better look at how they are breeding the horses for speed and NOT sturdiness! Something has to be done about the horse racing industry to mimimalize the deaths of these beautiful creatures!

Posted by: Sharon | May 7, 2008 02:46 AM

Hey whats up? I love horses with all my HEART! I felt so bad when the hey had to kill that horse at the Kentucky Derby!
I just wanted to let you know i love horses with all my heart.

Love,
Evin Bauza

Posted by: Evin Bauza | May 7, 2008 08:48 AM

All of you who continue to villify horseracing do not know much about horses!
Its a good thing PETA wasn't around over a hundred years ago when horses were key to survival. They were used by the postal service as well as for transportation and farming. Horses were born to run not to sit in a stall or pasture!
Those of you call racing cruel do not have the first clue as to how these horses are cared for(and loved)!

Becky Foster
Horse Lover

Posted by: Becky Foster | May 7, 2008 08:50 AM

Peta or anyone else should not comment on an issue they are not familiar with. Did Peta ask Sterling Marlin to stop racing Nascar after he spun Dale Sr. into the wall ? Ultimately leading to his untimely death. If you guys want to go after anyone, I will give you a few ideas. Richard Dutrow, Trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown has been banned from several tracks, and fined or suspended every year since 2000.( That is why he slept in a stall in 1999 in NY ) For doping or inappropriate substances for horses that have already been banned! What about the fight in Cali, unecessarily leading to killing of almost a dozen seals? Those are just a few peta can concentrate on! Racing has its tragedies but if we did not have this sport there would be far fewer horses around at all! They all would be sent to the meat factory. How bout Peta mind their own business and leave alone an industry that supports thousands of people and ANIMALS worldwide! Yes, tragedy does happen and it is sad. Peta however is making it much worse !

Posted by: Jason | May 7, 2008 09:11 AM

Sadly to hear 8 Belle's I absolutley agree with Peta for suspensions & the Jokey is should know better if he's so profossional & know his horse so well, he was too busy whiping to think is 8 belle's in trouble "go for the MONEY" is all in his head at the moments. Second, I'm curious, can they xrays his ankles from the previous of old fractures in the past & to the newest ? like a secrets noone knows in the past ? I find it very hard to see how possible "TWO" ankles at the same time happens. I need a better understanding why & how. I'm betting it's because 8 belles is so young & that her bones aren't sturdy enough, Like a child neck can't do somersault or go on the trampoline, because the neck is only the size of a pinkie finger can easily fracture it. I pray Peta is getting some answers speak for the horse that can't speak for themselves. DISGRACE DERBY & GREEDS>... It's time for policy to be change safer for the Horses. no more young Jockey,imatures, investigates all horses before on going race,like sports players ! whiping is out of line ! limits horses on track, CANCEL THE RACE DURING THE RAINS !! is a must ! Ummm Sandi Robison, the rider is out of line, whiping the hell out of 8 belle's u try find someone whiping you over & over see how that felts to your rear..!! he's no professional, he's been trained to know the horse & riding. He can sense the galloping differents & the the horse can only do what the best they can. But OMG - look at the ends & what did 8 belle get for it, DEATH ! But I also would like to dream that today these days the Vets has to come up another way of helping the broken ankles or legs, like i saw on the dog vet shows, a dog had two back paws ankles were damage,amputates & did a faboulous work & now doing so well with her Prosthesis. I know it's a weighs of the horse ects. but they have money & it's a challenge to try harder..

Posted by: Katharine Acord | May 7, 2008 10:00 AM

By looking at some of the comments, makes me sad that some people have no clue. By a tragic loose of this wonderful animal that went against all the odds we make judgments on all industry, trainers, owners, jockeys and sport.
Accident is an accident

Posted by: vs | May 7, 2008 11:03 AM

To T-Nyman, I totally agree with you, ya see some thinks to back off on the Jockey ! Which I do believe he's was pushing 8 Belle's over limits for that young Filly. Seaz knows it,he's been trained & there's no acusses. If Jockey & the owner is faithful horse lover, then don't asked for the $400,000 paid, put it into effort for memorable for 8 Belle's.

Posted by: Katharine Acord | May 7, 2008 11:30 AM

Well I have read all of the post here! And I have worked in KY on the breeding farms and on a well know training farm for TB horses to go to the track. I have also had TB horses off the track. This is was I feel. I think what Peta is doing is great! I think lashing at the jocky should maybe be left out, really the jocky, didn't do anything wrong, at the pont Eight Belles broke down it was TOO Late, and nothing could have been done. It would be really nice to see, no whips be used, the horses be older, no drugs used, and better footing. I agree with all of that. As far as lashing out at all trainers, not all are bad, but some trainer and some like in any sport are in deed looking at the money aspect only! Overall, racing makes me sick, becuse I have seen alot of abuse take place when these young horses don't make it, and what happens when they do break down. It is realy hard to place a broken down horse, people don't want to feed or pay the bills on a broken down horse, especially in todays world with cost! I love horses, I want to fight for their rights since they can't talk. So even though some of you think Peta may be going too far, I do support them, And I pray things change for these poor horses. How would you, like to be in a stall 23 hours a day, for the people that think racing is good????? pumped up with drugs?? Forced into a pool to swim? I watched horses flipped over backwards, and yes these where very expensive horse, being prepped for the (Keenland sales) Realy, I have seen the fear in the horses eyes many times and I have also been there when we ripped them away from the farms from their mothers to take them to the training farms.. Very sad, that was the last time they got to see their mothers...It is sad.. and that is all I can say! Do they deserve this? For all you horse people here that say horse racing is ok, think about what you are saying, you know horses are herd animals, what is being done when they are in a stall 23 hours? What happens? The horses show signs of stress, they get ulcers, don't they? I wanted what was best for my horses and that is why, they lived where they could go outside and eat grass, or be inside their stalls. Don't you think horses should live that way? I think racing would be ok if again some things where change, yes, they do like to run, but should not be forced to run, the distance and at the yound age. they should also get to be a horse, and not locked in a stall 23 hr.s a day like a prisnor.. ok i'm going on and on. I pray God takes over on this one. Best wishes PETA keep up the GODD work!

Posted by: JenniferWard | May 7, 2008 11:35 AM

Eight belles was a beautiful creature and for them to just end its life so quickly.Its sickening that someone would actually stand there and watch something like this happen.The horse could have recovered,maybe it couldn't have raced again,but it could still have its life.

Posted by: Sydney | May 7, 2008 11:56 AM

I agree with so many on both sides of the issue...most of these horses live better than many children in this country. Eight Belles was lucky to pass doing what she loved, not afraid, and not in darkness wondering what was going to happen next. Yes, maybe the guidelines for the track and the age of the horses can be modified.

But, the darkest part of some of these animals lives are the slaughter houses and this should be a focus people. Why would the animal groups get slaughter houses banned in the US only for them to be sent to Mexico. Just the transport alone without ac or water and living hell for a few days before a dreadful end comes, this should have been a thought before trying to make change. By the time it gets to this point the horses are sold for a few hundred dollars. I live in Texas and when the state government stopped slaughtering in Texas they just moved a few hundred miles south to Mexico, so what did the animal rights groups obtain? NOTHING!

So the gentleman who mentioned," let's focus on this issue with all breeds of horses", is abosolutely correct.

PETA you are so eager for people to be vegetarians and focus on chicken and other farms. Why dont you start with this as an example? Let people see what happens to horses, animals people view as pets, majestic, and intelligent, then maybe you can open the door to so many other issues and get people thinking about how we process meet and treat animals for our FOOD..........without any regards to what conditions these poor creatures endure before the end!

We should concentrate on the real suffering!

Posted by: Melinda Rawls | May 7, 2008 12:10 PM

vs,
" accident is accident "?
will u let ur teenage child play football at the nfl?
would u like him to chase the ball with other 200 lbs football players?
i don't think so.

Posted by: ann | May 7, 2008 12:31 PM

The whipping of the horses has got to stop. I am so thankful for organizations like PETA to charge forward to put an end to this hideoous, eog-driven, so-called sport. One of your bloggers put it well, 'they love to run, my ass.' I like to run too, but not with someone whipping me as I go.

The jockey was following orders. Go for the trainer and owner.

Posted by: S. Sweeney | May 7, 2008 02:06 PM

This comment is not about horse racing at all, it's about just being a decent, mature adult. PETA please please please get some facts from unbiased, credible sources before voicing your cries!! I live in Louisville and am very proud of my home town and state, to hear your supporters bash KY makes me (and the rest of the real world) wonder just what type of organization PETA is.

I think your heart is in the right place and, as an animal lover myself, I can understand your points of view. But, you must do your homework BEFORE opening your mouths - you are quickly losing respect!

Posted by: Dave B | May 7, 2008 03:59 PM

The Eight Belles Tragedy: Stop Placing Blame

Because this is mainly a blog dedicated to racing and handicapping, I normally do not find myself writing about political subjects. However, in light of the Eight Belles tragedy, its aftermath, and many of the comments that have been posted, I will give my take on the issue.

After this, we'll move on and start talking Preakness and Triple Crown. I do not want this blog to become a place where critics of horse racing come to meet to voice their displeasure over the sport. That's not what this blog is about.

We are all in agreement that the breakdown of Eight Belles was tragic. As I said in my last post, seeing the disaster play out only a few feet away from me made it even more horrifying. With that being said and having had time to digest the situation, I feel very strongly that this was an accident and although there are groups out there looking to place blame on anyone they can find, there really is nobody to blame. Again, it was an accident.

There are those that blame owner Rick Porter for entering a filly to run against the colts. Please. Where were those people when Rags to Riches won the Belmont? And where are they during every other race in which fillies run against colts?

There are those looking to blame trainer Larry Jones, even going as far as accusing him of giving her steroids. Please. Jones is as respected a horseman as there is in the sport. Autopsy results will exonerate him shortly.

There are those that blame jockey Gabriel Saez, saying he went to the whip too much and kept riding her after he knew she was injured. Please. There is no evidence that Saez knew Eight Belles took a bad step or that he was aware of any injury. Look at the video. Her ears were pricked when she crossed the finish line and she was striding normally. The fact that Saez is being made a villain in this is ridiculously unfair. The people who are calling for his suspension know nothing about horse racing.

These same people who are protesting that horse racing is "barbaric" and pressing for rule changes such as banning the whip and forcing every racetrack to switch to synthetic surfaces, should learn the facts before causing a stir. They are grossly misinformed and only looking to place blame where there is none.

One other question. Where are these activists when a $5,000 claimer breaks down on a Wednesday afternoon at one of the lower-level racetracks? I don't hear them. But since this was the Kentucky Derby and on national television, they all come out of the woodwork looking for a forum.

Look, accidents happen. They are part of the sport. Just like football, auto racing, boxing and other human sports where people, unfortunately, are sometimes fatally injured. Why must we always look to point the finger? It doesn't do anything, other than provoke media sensationalism.

It is understandable that people are upset after the breakdowns of Barbaro, George Washington and Eight Belles - three fatal accidents that have occurred on Thoroughbred racing's biggest stage within the past year. It is definitely a black eye for the sport. But let's keep this all in perspective. From the numbers I have seen, there are about 1.6 breakdowns for every 1,000 horses that race. For the most part, Thoroughbreds are well cared for and they enjoy running. After all, this is what they are bred to do.

Does that mean we should stop looking at some of the underlying reasons for breakdowns? Not at all. I like the idea of doing more research on breeding (and inbreeding) patterns to find out why today's horses seem to be less sturdy than those of 30 or 40 years ago.

I also think we should keep pressing for stricter drug testing and impose stiffer penalties for offenders. In my opinion, (I have no hard proof to back my claim, this is only my opinion) we are seeing an increased number of breakdowns because trainers are introducing horses to more and more medicines (legal and illegal). Allowing horses to run on medications when their bodies are already compromised could be one major reason why they are now more prone to injuries.

In closing, the death of Eight Belles was terrible and something that nobody wants to see. But let's keep it in perspective. Fatalities are going to occur in horse racing whether or not we ban the whip, switch to synthetic surfaces, or run fillies against colts. You want to protest or stop watching horse racing because of an accident? That's your choice. Just stop pointing fingers without knowing all the facts.

Maybe you guys need to actually do some research before making unnecessary claims and accusations. Look up how many horses have been broken down in the KY Derby and rewatch the end of the race, Eight Belles was running perfectly fine. And where are you guys when horses break down from tripping in the pasture or getting kicked by a horse??

Posted by: Ashley | May 7, 2008 04:02 PM

I am reading all these comments from so-called racing experts and I am confused. Now who is it that knows nothing? Maybe you can explain to me how is it that when a horseperson who has owned horses for over 40 years and has worked on the track and has friends who are still working there -how is it that that person knows nothing? Do you want to come see the horses in my barn? Think you can ride any of them without screaming? Maybe there are some horsepeople who are sick and tired of these breakdowns. I've seen them but I have never seen what happened to this filly and I want answers and I want changes in the industry now. You stupid people who keep saying that she died doing what she loved doing. She didn't die eating some nice alfalfa, she died in the dirt with the outrider on her neck. She didn't go out in a so-called blaze of glory. What you idiots, you think she was laying there and thinking "Oh at least I am going out in a blaze of glory." She died suffering and scared. I want to know exactly what could have been done to prevent her death. We need to learn from what happened to her so that the chances of that happening again are slim.

Posted by: Been There | May 7, 2008 04:54 PM

Horseracing exists because of money and entertainment period. To hear about how these horses are loved and pampered is hog wash. These people involved in high stakes horse racing project the image of wealth and glamour as part of the culture. If these animals are pampered it is because of their ability to make money. The marketing around this industry is to make money period. What goes on with these animals has created rumors of drugs, racing them under painful conditions, pushing to hard and injuring or killing them. This is animal exploitation for money no matter how you slice it.

To have a young animal run on a hard track with a person on its back as fast as it can run while being whipped is cruelty and putting the animal in grave danger. Such recklessness cannot be glossed over with comments like horses were born to run and they are well cared for.

The Horse Racing Authority needs to wake up and do its job by regulatinge the treatment of these horses and racing rules in order to protect these animals from their sometimes overzealous owners and trainers and tragedies like we saw with Eight Belles.

Boycotting racing by advertisers and the general public will get their attention as well as writing our government officials at all levels. I hear more and more disgusted friends sound off against horse racing and the injuries of these beautiful animals.

The owner of Eight Belles and her trainer clearly are at fault here for running this animal into the ground. They should be made to take the $400,000 earnings of the poor dead filly and donate them to a charitable organization that works in equine rehabilitation and welfare.

I consider these winnings "dirty money". I hope the $400,000 was worth it to them. Shame....Shame....Shame...

Posted by: Katja | May 7, 2008 05:38 PM

I have lived in central kentucky all my life and have had horses in the past that helped with farming. They were always treated as one of our family. I have a hard time believing that the kentucky derby is NOT about greed. I can not for a second think it is ok to treat these animals this way. Further more I feel that when these animals are injured the money that they have earned in their winnings should go to their hospital healthcare and not to their owners wife for a new hat. I am a nurse and fell that we as a society have an obligation to care for every living creature and when this is overlooked we are soon doomed to fail as a society.

Posted by: L. M. | May 7, 2008 05:52 PM

I think horseracing is barbaric.
If you want to gamble there are lots of other ways to do it,cards,casinos,auto racing to name a few.
Horseracing ranks right up there with dogs fighting to the death.
So sad that Eight Belles ran herself to death so someone could get rich.

Posted by: D.Coley | May 7, 2008 06:16 PM

Don't get me wrong, I have respected PETA for the work that they have done to secure animals' rights, but this time they have stepped too far. Eight Belles' jockey Gabriel Saez said "I respect that they love animals so much because I do too. At the same time, it bothers me because they are talking about something they have no clue about." This statement is a completely accurate description of what is going on here. PETA has rushed into the controversy dealing with Eight Belles breakdown too quickly, and it was all for the sake of media coverage. The only reason that PETA jumped in was because it was a national headline. They jump to conclusion without knowing the facts; it is a disappointment that such a worthy organization would make such hasty decisions in the name of coverage. PETA needs to do the research before making complaints. They persecute Gabriel Saez for using the whip 'in excess' yet they do not attack any other jockeys. It is the worst part of horse racing, but breakdowns happen. Just like crashes happen in a nascar race. Sure, your probably thinking that the horses have no choice, but spend a few unbiased days at the track and see how those thoroughbreds love to run. PETA has also tried to give racing a bad name in general for using whips, yet they have not realized that whips are not used on all horses. They also do not know that some jockeys just carry the whip in their hand; placing a 120 pound jockey on a 1000 pound horse is a little unsafe without it. Why ban the jockey from the track? If he knew about Eight Belles' so called injury, then why would he place his life in danger as well as the horse's? PETA is not only sticking its head in a place where it does not belong, the organization is encouraging others to do the same; for example, this blog is filled with posts from people who do not know the first thing about horse racing. I have known an abundance of trainers and jockeys alike that treat their horses with respect and admiration. It is not only a job for them, but what they live for. Like I said before, horses were born to run. As soon as a horse is placed in the starting gate, he is just waiting until the bell rings to let him go. If a rider is placed on a retired racehorse, he can still feel their desire to run. Furthermore, place that horse in an open area, and only an experienced rider can hold him back. Bottom line, PETA needs to do the research so they can help animals instead of further their press coverage.

Posted by: Ashley | May 7, 2008 06:46 PM

I think that the jockey has to be held accountable also because anyone with a conscience has to know better than to whip a horse or any animal for that matter is cruel. And I think that Peta should make a petition with its members to be more efective in trying to stop this so called sport from being so abusive.

Posted by: Marge | May 7, 2008 06:59 PM

Yes, this is a very sad and regrettable event. But, you must look at racing not as a bad thing but an enjoyable event for the horses. Honestly, not many people can handle a TB horse with their personailities. And while we may hate to admit it, these horses are born and bred for racing. They are not meant to do anything else. Running is what they really enjoy doing.
And you can't take it as this is what happens to all the racehorses. Most are treated wonderfully and very much loved and cared for. Sure, there are bad people that get involved, and yes it's not fun to have to horriffic things like this...and honestly, I would have been right there up with you all on ending horse racing.
But, shutting down horse racing completely...aside from the obvious drawbacks, would hurt those who do care for their horses and race them properly. Also, it might make the horses themselves miserable as they could no longer run as they wanted to. And what's more it would simply send more to their death's due to housing and money shortages.
While racing definitely could use reform to help stop these events, trying to stop it entirely is a mistake. One that could have numerous consequences.

Posted by: Megan | May 7, 2008 07:40 PM

Please people, before you post learn how to SPELL and get a freaking CLUE about the horse industry! You should be ashamed.

Posted by: Madison | May 7, 2008 07:44 PM

I do agree that SOME racehorses are abused, but most definetly not the ones in such high ranking races. These horses live better than any of you will ever dream of living. They have people that are there to make sure they are happy and comfortable every moment of every day. Some of you may argue that they do this so the horse will win more money, but that is not true. My uncle races horses, and he lost a horse last year due to an idiot jockey, he loved that horse more than anything in the world. So don't go blaming it on the trainer or the owner. Sometimes it is the jockey's fault, but not in races like the Kentucky Derby, when the stakes are so high. I'm fully certain, that if he thought anything was wrong with Eight Bells he would have pulled her up right in the middle of the race. That sure would have give you PETA people something to talk about, wouldn't it? But it didn't happen that way. We need to face it, no matter what sport you participate in with a horse, they will always be putting pressure and strain on their legs. Their legs don't get any stronger as they age more and more, they just build up more muscle. Look at showjumping, they land on their two front legs, putting roughly 1,000 pounds down on their legs, and yet because those leg injuries are not as widely reported to the public. You pick the one sport where you see it happen on television 2 times, and you people think that you need to save these animals. If they didn't want to do it, no matter how hard they are whipped they wouldn't. Believe me they are extreemly stobbern animals.

Posted by: c | May 7, 2008 08:17 PM

I would just like to point out one thing about the jockey - he was balanced aboard an 1,100 pound animal going 40+mph with 18 other horses behind him. Had he felt anything to indicate something was wrong with Eight Belles, he most certainly would have pulled her up. For the horse's safety, as well as his own.

And had he not, the horse could have gone down during the race, and then we would be talking about a dead horse and a dead jockey. So please, cast your anger elsewhere. Yes, ban the whip, move to a synthetic track, and perhaps you can view the owner as greedy for putting the filly in that race, but the jockey plays no role in this whatsoever.

Thank you.

Posted by: Mike Costello | May 7, 2008 08:32 PM

For all those protesting that the jocky is not to blame, get this: Et Al. It is a legal term where anyone involved is held accountable and sued. The jocky was the closest to her when the accident occurred, the trainer, the owner, the event track, the veterinarian, even the drug company that supplied the drugs, etc. If she was a human being you know there would have been an ambulance chaser right there to offer her their legal services. If she did not have representation in life PETA gives it to her in death.
Oh and Christina who laments about the poor little six year old girl in the stands who 'want' a pony being scared all her life. I don't give a rat's rear while Eight Belles lies terrorized and in pain, she is to be considered first. That she was euthanized and put out of her misery without having to suffer the additional pain of being moved out of the public's eye accomplishes two very important things: 1-she doesn't continue to suffer, and 2-the world who watched can now have no excuse to say they don't know what happens to these animals and get involved to end this cruel animal abuse that passes for sport. I would also stake my bet that the little girl would more likely grow up to be an animal activist than be scared all her life.
Rest in Peace Eight Belles

Posted by: R. De Ferrary | May 7, 2008 08:59 PM

Many of you have excellent points. Others may not know so much about racing or horses, but clearly have a love for animals. I do not claim to know everything about either horses or horseracing, although I have had horses and grew up with horseracing in Chicago. Fact: horses do love to run. Fact: unwanted racehorses are slaughtered, served as food in Europe and fight as stallions in countries like Italy. Fact: thoroughbred stallions used for breeding must mount the mare. Artifical insemination is not permitted if the foal will race.
Of all the comments I read, it seems like Brian hit the nail on the head. Getting the support of the legislature is the key. Hard to do, yes, but important if you want to change anything, especially if it involves gambling, which equates to lots of revenue for cities, counties, states, etc.
Dan - please understand that Jackson is correct that horses must be able to stand on all four feet. Many injuries to horses' legs can and are controlled and improved by a number of drugs and/or treatments. However, any compound fracture to the lower leg/hoof area is fatal. There is just not the blood supply for that area, and time is against them when they cannot stand for a long period of time during recovery. That was clear when we saw what happened to Barbaro. Unfortunately, Eight Belles had compound fractures in both front legs. Impossible to recover.
I do agree with ALL OF YOU who mention how young these horses race. It IS insane. Fact: a 2-3 yr old horse does not have developed bones in their legs. Their lungs are not totally developed either.
Breeding now is all about speed. Breeding used to be about strength, durability, then speed. If you look at the finish time for the Kentucky Derby since the beginning, it is clear that speed is the ultimate factor now.
I also AGREE with all of you who show concern for a filly running with the boys. In this race, where the horses literally sprint for a mile and a quarter, a filly has little chance (as history proves). Or, perhaps they do well, and then the outcome is what happened to Eight Belles. The responsibility is on the trainers and the owners, as well as the racing commission. The trainers advise the owners, and the owners ultimately make the decision. Shame on both of these groups for pushing such a fine filly. This is also where the heat should be.
I support PETA and hope they are successful in getting Churchill to make a change and go to a synthetic track. I think without legislative support it is unlikely, and I hope they pursue other avenues to make sure conditions improve substantially.
Finally, there is an organization in Midway, KY called "Old Friends". They adopt and care for old stallions who were once racehorses. They rescue them from being slaughtered or sent to Europe. I encourage you to check out their program and support them if you also believe in their cause.

Posted by: ML | May 7, 2008 11:48 PM

37 percent of racehorses end up being slaughtered.

House (HR503) and
Senate (S311) would permanently ban horse slaughter and close the
export loophole. They would prohibit the transport of horses packed
inside trucks, mass misery, a horrific journey to a horrific death, to
slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada. I hope that everyone would
contact their senators and reps urging them to pass this. Senator Larry
Craig from Idaho is blocking the bill.
There are videos on youtube of what happens to the horses if you can
stand it. There also is an article written by Lisa Sandberg entitled,
'Horse Slaughters Taking Place on the Border' that you should read if
you haven't already. It was published 10/02/2007

The Missouri Senate has just passed a resolution urging Congress to
allow horse slaughter as they want to open a horse slaughter torture
facility.

Let Congress know that it is not acceptable.

Posted by: Lin | May 8, 2008 01:07 AM

Why not focus on how animals are abused at slaughterhouses and neglected by people who do not feed them? Why pick on someone who loved Eight Belles and the good people who gave her a great life? You are missing the point about about abusing animals--step up and give them homes instead of starving them or sending them to slaughter.

Posted by: Swingtime | May 8, 2008 01:08 AM

I am against all abuse, humand and animial. I believe the tracks should be made safe for the the animalsl. But these statements being made about the Kentucky Derby and the jockey, are why people turn a blind eye. This horse was not abused. This horse was not only an investment, but was loved. I believe your staff should do more research before just blindly making accusations.

Posted by: Lisa Andersib | May 8, 2008 06:06 AM

Wow, I've read through a lot of the comments here. The comment about the Nascar drivers made me laugh.

Those drivers know what they are getting themselves into...they have made the choice to do what they do.

The horses don't make the choice and that is the difference. To call horseracing a sport is completely ridiculous.

C'mon people...this is the 21st century and we really don't need to use animals to entertain us. Yes, there are injuries in "human" sports but the difference is, the "humans" know the chances they are taking by playing the sport. The horses don't.

It's the difference of choice.

As for the Kentucky Derby, its the most ridiculous thing ever. It just seems to be a tradition of wearing stupid hats and drinking mint julips.

My husband had a great idea....he said they should put a mint julip on a track ( like the rabbit thing in dog racing ) and have those women in the stupid hats race around the track after the mint julip...that would be entertaining...especially if the horses were sitting in the stands.

Horses are beautiful animals but to be raised for the express purpose of making $$ is just wrong in my opinion. How is that different than raising minks for the express purpose of killing them to make coats.

Using animals to make money is just wrong.

Posted by: Natalie | May 8, 2008 08:30 AM

BOYCOTT YUM BRANDS ! ! ! ! CALL THEM E-MAIL THEM ! ! ! ! GO TO YUM.COM THEY HAVE A COMMENT ABOUT THE DERBY . THEY ARE THE DERBY SPONSOR !

Posted by: Patti | May 8, 2008 09:55 AM

The irony is cruel: Eight bells (the nautical term for end of shift, sometimes used in an obituary) for Eight Belles. It is time to signal eight bells for horse racing. Barbaro was a rarity in the care given after an injury. Ferdinand (1987 horse of the year and 1986 Derby winner) is more typical - turned into ground (meat) instead of just run into the ground like Eight Belles. The crop in racing is what the electric shock is in rodeo. Regardless of the apparent damage to the horse, it's still unwanted and it's still cruel. Why is it that Eight Belles was killed because she couldn't be put into an ambulance, but the "caregivers" had no problem putting her corpse into a hearse? This sport of kings is an emperor with no clothes. The theme for Horse Week is "Unbridled Spirit". Take away the bridles and you would see the real spirit of these magnificent animals -- truly unbridled, that's what they were born to be.

Posted by: Tim I. Martin | May 8, 2008 10:21 AM

Thanks Patty, that's what we need to do, ban together and make something good for the benefit of the horses.

Posted by: Margarita | May 8, 2008 10:50 AM

All of these horses that are put into the "Triple Crown"
race are not making it because it is almost impossible to withstand the
grueling 3 races. Here is Big Brown, already with bad
feet, and has only raced 3 times prior to the Derby
(because of the bad feet),
wins the race and now has
to be up for another race
in only 2 weeks. Are we
going to witness his break down as well. We should be
investigating his health and
not allow him to run with the
bad feet. How do we know he
was not pumped up with steroids for the Derby??
The owner was found to have
done that in the past with
2 other horses. These horses are raced too early in life, there are far too many injuries, injuries are
masked with drugs, and some
horses are given pain killers to race even when
they are injured and they go on to get injured even more or perhaps breakdown. The jocket on 8 belles THE SECOND HE FELT HER NOT BEING RIGHT, as he has admitted, should have pulled her up and
DISMOUNTED IMMEDIATELY, as
did Chris Antley some years
ago when he stood on the dirt, with tears streaming down his eyes, holding the horse's foot so that he wouldn't put weight on it,until the ambulance came
and actually saved his life. What did this jockey do??? HE LET EIGHT BELLES RIDE 1/4 MILE AFTER THE FINISH LINE.

what a sport.

Posted by: judi mueller | May 8, 2008 10:53 AM

I am a horseback rider, owner, competer, and all around enthusiast. I can tell immediately, I will not be too popular because I am going to be the devil's advocate here(I'm also a showjumper, which many animal rights activists call cruel, barbaric, so on so forth, I respectfully disagree)

I hope I can give some insight. First let me make it clear that there is a distinction between the horse competition world and the horse racing world. Training and lifestyles are very, very different. However, it is not neccessarily true that the Thoroughbred industry throws away their horses to slaughter(which is now illegal in the US, the horses are being shipped to Mexico for an even more horrible, gruesome, bloodier death, and our market suffers, meanwhile they endure longer trips)- several "OTTBS" - or, off-track-thoroughbreds sit at my boarding facility right at this moment next to my own horse. They retire sound(meaning free from injury) and then go on to a new owner living what would be considered a "normal" life for a horse.

Another thing to know is that drugging a horse is illegal. For nearly everything in competition and racing. They may eat quite a lot of grain for energy, they may get alot of supplements like vitamins, minerals, and weight supplements are popular.

Now, as for the whip rule. WHAT do you propose jockeys do to cue the horses to go? There legs? Thats what most riders use, but jockeys have their legs hiked up. Additionally, most jockeys cannot stop those horses if they want to because race horses are taught to lean into the contact. Therefore, pulling back=GO. It takes alot of strength to stop a 1500 pound racehorse that loves to run. I know this because I've worked with ex racehorses and "converted" them to jumpers. To clear up some more things with whips, they are not whips, but "poppers" - horses have much thicker skin than we do which is covered by hair. The popper is designed to make noise and is thick and fat so that it covers more surface area. It may seem barbaric but horses speak in a language of pressures, to eachother, and to us. My horse is turned out in a pasture with several other rowdy immature horses daily - if one wants to get past another they BODYSLAM them. They're also best friends and play rough. It's how they are. If a foal is treating it's dam like a jungle gym she's not going to hesitate to give it a kick. Now, when interacting with horses, we try to counter-act that notion rather than have to use physical contact. But what do you propose jockey's do?

As for the turf issue...it's silly to use a softer or deeper turf with more give. Have YOU ever run in deep sand? That will increase injury rate, I assure you.

As for the age of the horses, it isn't anything new for the racehorse trainers to be hearing about it. But studies are out that show the good of it.

"Studies done by The Animal Health Trust in England have shown that by age three, tendon and cartilage development in the horse has basically stopped. As a two year old, you can increase tendon and cartilage strength and resilience with proper conditioning, but by three, all changes tend to become degenerative, rather than adaptive. Bone development is much the same. Dr. Nunamaker at New Bolton Center did the definative study on shin development in the young horse several years ago, which showed that proper training methods in the young horse could completely prevent the incindence of tiny microfractures of the cannon bone, known as "bucked shins". This is very important, because bucked shins can often lead to saucer fracture leter in life. Young bone adapts and grows stronger more easily in response to stress than bone in an older horse. Older horses have a greater risk of fracture, instead of remodeling in response to the stresses of training and racing.

Oddly enough, the New Bolton study showed that proper bone conditioning was achieved by adding speed early on in the training process, as opposed to long slow mileage. The bone only develops to withstand the amount of strain put on it by training, so by giving the young horse long slow gallops, the bone never develops enough to withstand speed work. The key is to add short bursts of speed at the end of the gallop a few times a week during early training, and gradually increase the amount of work done at speed as training progresses."(Stephanie Frost)

It is always hard to see an animal hurt. But horses have a major chance of achieving a similar injury in the pasture. The majority of Thoroughbreds I personally know are now 15-25 years old and enjoying there jobs teaching.

Posted by: Jessica | May 8, 2008 01:06 PM

Has anyone realized that there is an effort being made BY the racing industry to improve the safety for thoroughbreds?

"The Jockey Club has commissioned a seven-member Thoroughbred Safety Committee, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association board of directors has scheduled a special meeting May 9 to discuss a course of action.
Jockey Club chairman Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps said May 8 the new committee would be asked to review every facet of equine health, including breeding practices, medication, the rules of racing and track surfaces, and to recommend actions to be taken by the industry to improve the health and safety of Thoroughbreds."

In the racing industry, we truly love our horses and i can assure you they get excellent care. Thoroughbreds LOVE to run, take it from some one who works with them everyday.
Please do not speak so poorly of thoroughbred racing, our lives revolve around the care of these animals and we only want the best for them.

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

Here in Ireland horse racing is a huge business i hope one day it will all end just like other forms of animal exploitation.

From your friends at Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN)based in Ireland

Posted by: John Carmody | May 8, 2008 03:57 PM

To the people who think that the horses are not pampered and taken care of to the upmost. I want to ask you if you have every steped a foot in a barn probally not you would not want to get dirty just sit back and find something to bitch about.

Posted by: Justin | May 8, 2008 06:50 PM

First, I would like to say, if humans are simply forcing race horses to run against their will... Why when a race horse drops their rider in the beginning of the race to they continue to run their race without their rider? Because they love to run.

I have worked all my life with race horses. While there are some people in the game who have and make lots of money, many many of the people involved in the lives of those horses dont have two cents to rub together. They do it 7 days a week all day long because they love the horses. These are not people who would intentionally harm these horses that are their life and their heart and soul. The horses are often living in better conditions than the people taking care of them. It is a tragedy what happened to Eight Belles and to any other horse that was euthanized because of an injury. Race horses are athletes. Name one sport where the athletes dont sustain an injury at some point.

Many of the people writing on this blog are writing an opinion based on no real information or experience with horse racing. As far as medications and steroids that these people are talking about. You are acting like it is a medication free for all. There are strict regulations for what medications are allowed and how much.

When a horse is injured and euthanized in a race, even a cheap race not just the KY derby, the racing community is devastated. The people who have watched and taken care of that horse every day of it's life and wanted only good things for that horse, are crushed. The racing community and everyone in it suffers when an athlete is lost. The emotional ties run very deep. So, please, dont assume that you know the racing industry until you have spent 7 days a week all day long for your whole life working in it.

Posted by: Stacy | May 8, 2008 07:16 PM

As to the comments about the jockey not pulling her up, it is false. He said so himself he was trying to in an interview. When he finally got her to slow down after she crossed the wire, she collapsed.
Really, we can't blame the jockey's. They don't way much to begin with, and trying to stop a horse that weighs more than they do is really hard. Particularly with the temperment and drive of these racers.
Also, I doubt the trainer was truely at fault. The accident was eventually chalked up to poor breeding. She was in perfect health before the race.

Posted by: Megan | May 8, 2008 08:02 PM

you are all insane. the horses are born to run. that means that the horse died doing what it was born to do. you should all be ashamed that you want to attract attention to this when nothing bad happened at all.

Posted by: chris | May 8, 2008 08:38 PM

Wow. You can tell not many people here know much about horses. For one, it's called a crop, not a whip. And in riding, the coaches teach you to use it if theh orse won't respond to natural aids (legs, seat). Second, racehorses love running. They also get good care, because how else will the horse win?? And Eight Belles would have hurt herself more if she got close to the rail, which is what the jockey tried to prevent by tapping her with the crop. Also, IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT HORSE TRAINING OR RIDING, YOU ALL HAVE NO RIGHT TO TELL US RIDERS THAT WE "WHIP OUR HORSES INTO SUBMISSION". I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY RIDING.
Now, if you also knew something, drugging a horse is illegal, racehorses aren't all thrown to slaughter, and you are talking about horses that are high energy, and pumped up by sweet feed. Also, I don't agree with racing 2 year olds. It is unfair, but really, these horses have better access to medical care then most other animals. And how dare you say that Barbaro led a happy post break down life?? He should have been put down then be forced through grueling operations that removed most of a hoof, probablly pumped with pain killer, and kept in a stall, then used as a "survivor". And would you insensitive people want Eight Belles to go throught that?? And they have rings to warm up before races, so someone would have to know something was wrong before a race. And I ride a horse who will make sure I know if I do something wrong. And it is a CROP not a whip. And in the early stages, coaches tell you when to use a crop and threaten you with physical harm if you don't use it right.And also, 700 horses a year is for the people who had the decency to keep their animals from pain. When a horse has ruined it's legs, and wll be in constant pain, with no hope of being a companion animal, it is unfair. So don't sit on your chair and tell that when I'm riding, I am abusing. Freckles could easily buck me off, swerve out of a jump at the wrong time, and do a host of other nasty things to me then a crop could do. Learn the sport you morons, try a lesson or two, and tell me that it's cruel to the horse.Some are treated badly, but most big league racehorses are spoiled and have more money at their disposal then any other. Stick with your factory chickens; they need it more then these horses.

Posted by: Kayleigh | May 8, 2008 10:12 PM

Beautiful post, Tim I Martin!

Posted by: lynda downie | May 8, 2008 11:36 PM

I seem to be banned from posting on this site, but her I go again. What horse do you think is treated better? The horse working on the farm, cropping vegetables and grain, or the race horse?
More horses go down every day in the farm industry than in the race industry. Farm horses work their asses off and eat the cheapest food. Oh yeah, they help supply food for vegetarians, which I have been for over 22 years. Not every farmer can afford a John Deer tractor...
Pulling heavy machinery around all day sounds like slavery to me.
Race horses are fed and treated like kings. Just look at Curlin, last years horse of the year. He grew up drinking "Fiji" water. I'm stuck on tap.
What about the horses that work in Central Park? Why isn't PETA decrying that? PETA is creating and falling to media hype, all at the same time.
My girlfriend and I were both in the stands to witness this tragedy, and we both cried. At the same time, we love these animals as well as the sport. If I were a horse, you had better bet your bottom dollar that I would choose to be a race horse. I certainly would not be pulling machinery, plowing farms or doing whatever else it is that makes us feel so superior, US vegetarians. Do you see the hypocrisy? Horses work and die to bring you food! Think about it.

Posted by: Jack | May 9, 2008 03:52 AM

I was in the racing industry for 25 years,both as a trainer,owner,and the wife of a jockey.I know exactly what goes on on the back side of the track.I had horses stabled at Hollywood Park,Santa Anita,Del Mar,Louisiana Downs and Church Hill.I have NEVER ran a filly against the boys and I NEVER raced a two year old.A two year old has openings in the knee,much like a newborns soft spot on their head.If these knees are not closed when you race them they will break down.I have seen this happen to many times.Running a filly against colts is wrong,they are just as competitive but lack the stamina and structure.Greed is what happened to Eight Belles.Larry Jones told the jockey to ride her hard and gallop her out strong,therefore prepping her for the Preakness.The jockey did exactly what he was told,if he didn't I know for a fact he would have lost the mount.The jockey is much to blame but the trainer owns this one.Now,let me give you a little info on the owner.An owner who can afford one of these high profile trainers goes to the trainer who already has between 150 and 200 hundred horses running across different tracks and says to him I want you to train my horses,the trainer says sure,it will cost you 200.00 a day per horse and I have full control of where the horse runs and who rides it.Business deal done!I was outraged when I found out Eight Belles was running in the Derby,she DID NOT belong in that race.There is no more sport in this game,it is now all about money and races won for the trainer.That is exactly why I got out of the business!

Posted by: NancyC | May 9, 2008 07:57 AM

Eight Belles should be tested for all medications. The trainer seems to be concentrating on steriods and has asked for blood tests to check for steriods. I suspect a cover up on this one. Her blood should be tested for NSAIDs (anti-inflammatories), pain killers, and other types of medications pertinent to the racing industry, a complete toxicology of all chemicals. The horse had a compound fracture in which I believe was caused by extreme stress placed on her limbs. The vet at the scene mentioned the severity of her injuries of which he had never seen before. These type of injuries can't just occur because she took a missed step after the finish line. This was not a freak accident and I believe this horse incurred an injury down the last leg of the race. Perky ears is not always an indication of non-injury. Barbaro had perky ears while injured. Horses can run injured as demonstrated by Charismatic in his quest for the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes. He broke his leg down the stretch and continued to run. Thankfully his jockey dismounted and lifted the leg to prevent further injury. Horses will run lame if whipped consistently. This jockey first stated that immediately after the race he steered Eight Belles to the grandstands to present the filly to the cheering fans. Now he sings a different story. Lets get this investigated and the truth out to the people.

Posted by: GAIL | May 9, 2008 10:57 AM

R. De Ferrary wrote: "For all those protesting that the jocky [you mean "jockey"]is not to blame, get this: Et Al. It is a legal term where anyone involved is held accountable and sued."

Gee, I mean, I'm only licensed to practice law in New York, Mass., Conn and D.C., so I don't know the law in every state, but that is not what "Et Al" means in those jurisdictions (it should be used in the lower case and it usually means "and others"). But hey, what do I know?

My bigger concern is the real intentions of PETA. The death of Eight Belles, and PETA taking up the so called cause of the "ethical" treatment of animals, is just another step of thier long-term goal of banning all meat/fish/polutary/pork consumption, any recreational activity involving animals (ie., hoarse/dog racing, mountain riding, etc.) and any use of any animal for human benefit (ie., having a hoarse on a farm pull a plow). Its a dangerous trend.

Understand, I, as with most Americans, agree with various princiapls of PETA. I too agree that two year olds should not be competeing. Thats reasonable. But PETA, after making inroads with respect to rational issues like that, will not stop until their long term goals are achieved. Think about it, we kill animals and fish for human consumption. PETA's position is that any human activity that results in the death of an animal is "unethical." That means killing for food.

PETA is a fringe organization. Instead of supporting PETA on the issues I agree with, I donate my money and time to other less radical orginaizations that are not so extreme.

And, Madison, I agree that people should become more educated about hoarses and hooarse racing in general before they attack the sport. But that would require them to have an open mind and to become informed as to both sides of the isssue - something that I have rarely seen from the average (yes, not all) PETA member.

Hey though, I encourage you not to focus on the form (ie., spelling) of the message, but the substance of it.

Thanks to all those rational, reasonable and open-minded individuals for the debate.

Posted by: Bryon | May 9, 2008 11:01 AM

Well, I agree with the drugging a horse thats wrong but it isn't just race horses. People do it to their horses all the time. Ace is a shot that calms a horse down, and I have personally seen people ace their horses to keep them quiet enough to ride. I don't believe if you have to ace a horse to ride it that you should own that animal. But whips come on now. Especially a jockey whip. At the speed they are going it is a wrist flick not a full blown swinging of the whip, and it isn't leaving a mark at all. Let's think about it, do you think that a horse that gets kicked by another horse, which really hurts, is that hurt by a little whip. Let's try to use some common sense here.

Posted by: Lindsday | May 9, 2008 01:25 PM

I agree with Nancy. Eight Belles should not have been in that race. And what does Rick Porter, the owner say?
"I think fate had it that she was going to have a tragic accident in her career and I don’t think that’s because she ran in the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2008.”
Well, that's dandy!
I don't think that the trainer, Larry Jones, as big as he is should have been galloping around on her. Was he too cheap to hire someone that didn't weigh 180-200 pounds?
The jockey Saez scares me.
Put Heraldleader fantastic finish tragic ending into a search engine.
They have a series of 13 photos.
The first two are Eight Belles and the jockey down on the ground. The third shows the jockey walking away from her as Eight Belles is trying to get up. Her hind feet are already up and a man in a red jacket is holding her head and neck down while other people are on their way to help. In the fourth photo she is partially up on her front legs.
The photos are heartbreaking. When the jockey does wander back into the picture, he shows no emotion. He stands away from her as they get ready to use the large syringe.

The jockey of Barbaros showed deep concern and stayed near as did jockey Chris Antley.

Posted by: Lin | May 9, 2008 05:18 PM

Okay. I used to be in Peta. My diet is mostly vegetarian--when it isn't, I do what I can to buy humanely raised meat, eggs, milk. As a matter of fact, the only animal products that usually end up in my fridge are cage-free vegetarian-fed eggs, and perhaps some cheese and butter.
I have volunteered at racetracks. I have worked on farms. I have worked at veterinary clinics. I have been to both cow and pig slaughterhouses. I have a B.S. in Animal Science from a well-known university and have been well-exposed to both sides of every animal welfare argument. I am a graduate student in the biological sciences, and have a decent grasp on physiology and disease. I have written letters protesting calf roping in rodeos, inhumane treatment of animals at slaughterhouses, as well as putting my words and money towards wildlife conservation, sustainable fisheries, reducing fossil fuel use, etc. Most of my friends now, if nothing else, turn off unused lights and avoid certain fish, and often turn to me for information on animal agriculture, fisheries, wildlife conservation, etc.
Okay? I do care. And I do what I can to make a difference. Let's get that straight.
That being said, I am incredibly annoyed with those that, though their hearts are in the right place, don't bother using their heads before calling for suggestions.

1) You can't simply suspend the jockey or the trainer when you don't even know *why* the filly broke down. I was watching the race, and she looked bright and alert crossing that wire. The jockey rode her well, and as for the application of the whip, the filly's people said that she had a tendency to drift towards the rail. In horsebackriding of any discipline, the whip is not supposed to be used as punishment--it is an aid. I firmly condemn excessive use of the whip (and my "excessive" is very conservative), but did not see any questionable use of the whip by Gabriel Saez. I do agree that regulatory oversight of abuse, drug doping, bad horsemanship, and other areas of misconduct should be strengthened, with stiff penalties, yes, including lifetime suspension for appropriate cases.
2) Though banning racing of 2 year olds may seem like a good idea, the stressors of racing are different from workouts. Many racehorses finished sound at the end of their careers that have raced at two. Most importantly to this discussion, it has been shown by researchers that physical stress is necessary to strengthen bones. The reason is because the bone is actually an actively remodeling tissue. It is not stagnant. When bones are developing and growing, some amount of stress is needed for the bones to determine where the physical stress lines are, and where to deposit more bone density. If you split a bone down the middle, you can see the bone density aligned exactly to where the stress lines are. What is needed, however, is a period of time during which the bone can remodel. Horses are individuals; some prefer to get out more, and some need to take it easy. Any trainer worth his/her license should determine what will enhance the fitness of the animal without sacrificing long term health. I actually firmly believe that catastrophic breakdowns will occur more frequently at the age of three if you prohibit two year olds from racing.
3) I support the idea of Polytrack, but as far as statistics go, it’s not clear. The injuries are different, it seems, but keep in mind, too, that horses often prefer running on different surfaces. Different “actions” are generally described as optimal for racing on a particular surface. I applaud synthetic track surfaces, but think that it is premature to mandate that all tracks switch, which may be cost prohibitive for tracks that are struggling. Horse racing competes with other gambling venues, which pretty much means that most tracks are struggling.
4) Limiting number of races in a season: I support this in theory, but would need to see numbers: how many races are we talkin? Yes, people do make money off horseracing. There are jobs. Jockeys earn their money by acquiring a percentage of the purse. Trainers get a cut of the winnings, too. My concern for blanket limiting race number per season is that that each race for smaller stables will then be much more important, tempting people to use illegal means to pay their bills.
5) “Whipping” should not be banned. Racetrack stewards are responsible for excessive whipping (perhaps the definition should be more conservative), and are responsible for handing out penalties for infractions. These should be clear, followed through, with firm consequences.
Racing, like eventing, can have unfortunate consequences for the horses and riders. There are, however, horses that genuinely do love to run, horses that love to jump, and horses that take pride when they do well. It’s a concept that many people refuse to believe, but I’ve seen it, I seen pride in horses. I’ve seen a draft horse win a blue ribbon for his team precisely because he was so proud to be there that the judges couldn’t fail but notice. A well-treated horse will take pride in the job. What we need to watch out for are ill-treated horses. It is incredibly unfair to take one example (where misconduct wasn't even a solid question) and paint the entire industry with a single brush.
Where racing, like other sports, goes wrong is when people try to take shortcuts to winning. In this regard, racing can be just as sordid as baseball. Horseracing should take a hard look at their regulations, and invest more resources into research, be more diligent in looking for infractions of their own stated rules, and taking action against those that do injustice to the animals and the sport by their own desperate greed.

Posted by: Inky | May 9, 2008 07:33 PM

Addendum: Ah, in my long-winded thesis I forgot to add one of the most important factors in horse racing: horse breeding.

The modern American thoroughbred is bred less for stamina and conformation and more for winning races. Faulty conformation heightens the likelihood of injury.

I think breeders should only use animals that were racing sound, with good conformation.

Posted by: Inky | May 9, 2008 07:40 PM

It has been a week since that horrific tragedy happened and there hasn't been one day that I didn't cry for that poor tortured horse. I feel as if I will be sad over it forever. I'm ashamed to be a human considering the way we treat animals. What right do we have to do whatever we want to them? I hope one day a being evolves 'higher' than us and treats us the way we have treated animals over the years. Maybe then, we'll get the point. It's sad when an animal dead has a better, more peaceful life, than the animal being alive. RIP Eight Belles...you deserve to finally be free of humans owning your life...

Posted by: Jessica | May 10, 2008 12:01 PM

'Open knees' -- refers to the carpus which is really not the 'knee' at all -- it is the equivalent of a human wrist. The real knee is the the stifle joint which is in the pelvic ( hind ) limb.

'Open' does not mean the bones are not attached -- it means the growth plate(s) -- the physis and/or epiphysis -- are still active and not calcified as mature bone.

Inflammation and pain from 'open knees' is also commonly referred to as 'epiphysitis' which is a misnomer because in truth it is 'physistis' -- the physis being plate where the bone lengthens, not the articular region. And the bone in question is the radius, not the cannon bone.

So what does this have to do with 'Eight Belles'?

A condylar fracture is one that originates at the joint surface ( can often be related to ocd --though probably not in her case ) and progresses (potentially) to the point where it becomes complete. The bone that is broken away may or may not rupture the periosteum.

Most often this injury ( with regards to the cannon bone ) is neither fatal or even life threatening. In the case of 'Eight Belles', it was catastrophic: not only was the fracture greater in dimension, but the collateral ligament was ruptured, so that the cannon bone was no longer in alignment with the pastern and had, in one leg, actually broken through the skin.

So why does a horrible accident like this cause such an emotional outcry?

There are horses going down every day -- and many that have no business being on the track in the first place. 'Eight Belles' had every right to be in that race and proved so by being much the best of the rest.

One post commented that he would not ever run a filly against the boys -- glad he didn't own 'Miesque', 'Miss Alleged', 'Soviet Problem', 'Royal Heroine' ... ( long list )

If you want a realistic agenda -- propose that the racing board ban corticosteroids for the use of anything other than rehab. Ban toe grabs, they are useless and have been proven to cause breakdowns ( tambien turn downs or bend shoes ). More thorough pre-race inspection etc...

There are so many things that made me sick about the industry when I was training -- the story of 'Eight Belles' is not one of them. It is sad, but it was an accident. In 30 years and thousands of races I've never seen an injury like hers. So why blame the rider. If he should be suspended, why not Desormeaux, why not every other jockey in the race -- didn't they use there sticks as well -- even those who were hopelessly defeated?

And as I have said before, horses are champions at dieing all on there own. 'Sea Cadet' suffered a complete displaced fracture of his hind cannon bone while romping in his paddock. 'Icecapade' stood up fell backwards and fractured his skull etc...

Or on another note, champion 'Ferdinand' ( winner of the Derby and Breeder's Cup Classic among other races ) was sent to the slaughter house by a Japanese stud farm as punishment for his less than stellar career as a stallion.

Horses will bring you joy and break your heart. When something bad happpens; I understand the desire to point fingers. In the case of 'Eight Belles' -- thus far -- I can not see her end as anything other than a bizarre misfortune.

Unfortunately, I did not ( and still do not ) feel the same about Barbaro -- his breaking through the gate was more than a warning; but they simply reloaded him without proper inspection. On replays you will see his right hind sinking lower the the left when he went into the gate for the second time. But he lived long enough for people to heal and hope and eventually forget, so when he was put down it was just a foot note.

Posted by: kevin ryan | May 10, 2008 12:03 PM

Another worthy thing to petition for ( unfortunately it would only apply to big races for economic reasons ) All entries should be x-rayed the morning of the race. Condylar fractures, many fractures for that matter, do not cause lameness in the early stages -- especially if the horse is being routinely injected. So it is difficult in retrospect to know if an injury was incurred during a specific race or had been brewing for a while.

Maybe they already do this, for triple crown and breeders cup.

Posted by: kevin ryan | May 10, 2008 12:45 PM

Gabriel Saez , rider of Eight Belles,is now riding at Deleware. Today he rode a horse by the name of Longley in the 4th race.He came in first. A description of the race was as follows.."won under steady urging" which means he kept whipping the horse all the way through the finish line even though he had a commanding lead.You can obtain this information by going to equibase.com, find "results", select "full charts, select Deleaware, select the date,10th, and than race #4. Unfortunately Saez is not alone in whipping horses who are clearly going to win or are clearly not going to finish in the money.

Posted by: Roy | May 10, 2008 01:48 PM

I just would like to comment maybe we should have human racing for entertaiment, and
when they lose the race of their life and break their ankles instead of nurturing them : maybe we should shoot and kill them. I see humans as evil lately?
How nice and humane is our country?

Posted by: Virginia | May 11, 2008 09:20 AM

American racing should look to British racing as a better example to follow. In Britain there are rigorously enforced whip rules: the jockey can only hit the horse so many times, only "in stride", and never in front of the saddle - I've witnesses US jockeys hit a horse around the head. In Britain, a horse cannot be beaten indiscriminately, and any jockey who breaks the rules gets long "whip bans".

In Britain there are no permitted drugs - period. No lasix, no bute. Lasix is a known "blocker" - hiding the evidence of other drugs in a horse's system.

Getting rid of claiming races would be a significant aid to cleaning up American racing. Claiming races are a huge money spinner for the majority of the trainers. The claiming trainer bills the new owner 10% of the purchase price as the "purchasing agent"; the training losing the horse bills the ex-owner 10% of the purchase price as the "selling agent".

A horse doesn't even have to win the claiming race it's entered in to be claimed and generate money for two trainers. All that's required is that it makes it round the track. Many, many purchases out of a claiming race are a done deal long before the gates open, hence just about any means is often employed to ensure the horse crosses the finishing line.

I know of one trainer who "shocked" the legs of one old gelding repeatedly so that he felt no pain during the race.

Posted by: Anne | May 11, 2008 12:03 PM

We've outlawed fighting cocks to death. We've outlawed fighting dogs to death. When are we going to outlaw running horses to death?

Posted by: Greta Farnsworth | May 11, 2008 10:11 PM

For everyone who is angry over the tragic loss of America's beautiful filly, Eight Belles, you might find today's news article by Andrew Beyer in the Washington Post interesting! The article is entitled, "For Whom is Eight Belles's Toll?" Dr. Larry Bramlage states, "HORSES THAT TRAIN AS 2-YEAR-OLDS EARN MORE MONEY . . ." If that doesn't sum it up, nothing does! The owner and trainer of Eight Belles are ONLY in it for the money!! Greed caused her death. This is clear abuse!

Posted by: Janelle from Texas | May 12, 2008 11:43 AM

Ingrid, your letter to the Attorney General, Mr. Stengel, was wonderful! The death of Eight Belles must be investigated so that this kind of thing is stopped. The racing industry is not going to police themselves, so let's keep the pressure on. Thank you for caring. Let's remember Eight Belles and all the others.

Posted by: Linda Akin | May 12, 2008 01:17 PM

Man you guys need to stop this stupid PETA because of you the horse market is down, and now your blaming the jokey of Eight Belles that he killed the horse, injury's happen GET OVER IT!!!! ok A we need a KILL market thats what brings the price of horses up, 2 ya i like horses as much as the next person in fact i own a horse but not alot of people have the money to take care of the horse if it gets injured so why not put it down and save the horse from suffering and D Get over your selfs! good god.

Posted by: kathy | May 12, 2008 07:12 PM

I think it is sad horse racing has come to this. It used to not be this way. As an experienced horse person, I do know that the right horse that is in a good state, with a rider it loves, does like to have a good gallop every once in a while, but not for a mile, probably not even for a hald mile. But horses simply bred for racing for one or two years is ridiculous. There is no fun in painful and excessive conditioning. I don't think that horses appreciate being ran everyday. Hugs not .

Posted by: Mausx | May 12, 2008 07:21 PM

As a compassionate and responsible life long horse owner and member of the thoroughbred racing and breeding community I am appalled at the lack of correct information and irresponsible reporting of the facts of the heartbreaking situation on Derby Day. You are just looking for more donations at the expense of poor Eight Belles. I have lost ALL respect for your organization, you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about!

Posted by: Susan | May 13, 2008 10:15 AM

I posted earlier but I don't think they approved my post. All I will say is ,PETA there is nothing gained by voicing your opinion on something that you obviously know nothing about. Thoroughbreds were bred by humans for racing, it is in their genetics. They are a manmade animal like most breeds out there. Yes sports need to be regulated to keep the people who are only in it for money, but that is a small amount of people.

Posted by: POrtia | May 13, 2008 10:40 AM

I live in Lexington and I work for one of the largest thoroughbred farms in the area. What happened to Eight Belles was truely a tradegy. Everyone in the industry feels horrible for what happened. But, it is unfair for all of you to make accussations. I watched the replay of the Derby several times and the jockey did not use the whip excessively and if you look closely, you can see the her ears are pricted forward -- a sign that she was enjoying what she was doing and wanted to run. Had she been injured before crossing the finish line, you would have seen a much different picture. As for waiting till a horse turns 4 or 5 before they begin training is ridiculous. Anyone who has ever been around horses knows that without traing, there muscles begin to atrophy -- and the is irreversible. Have any of you thought about the tens of thousands of people that would be without jobs if PETA got their way and "killed" horseracing? No, I didn't think so. We employee over 80 people on our farm and for most of them, this is the only work they know. Before going around and accusing these people of abuse. Take a step back and see what it's really like, not what some organization wants you to see. If you have ever been on the backstretch, you would see these horses receiving more love and attention than most of you give your children. They receive the best hay, feed and medical care.

What happened to Eight Belles was really sad but, if PETA succeeds in doing what they want, then a lot more people are going to suffer

Posted by: Amber | May 13, 2008 11:06 AM

Hopefully if the readers of this blog decide to refer to the article in the Washington Post, they will read all of it and not just the few words that were taken out of context and posted on an earlier blog entry. Both veterinarians agreed that " exertion at age 2 was beneficial for the process of bone developing to occur" This is the RESPONSIBLE and correct way to condition an athlete.

Posted by: susan | May 13, 2008 11:25 AM

I agree with the following:
1. Synthetic surfaces on all tracks to reduce injuries.
2. Wait until the horse is older and bones are developed before racing.
3. Whips are unnecessary. A jockey can ride with his hands; plus, no spectator likes seeing a horse whipped.
4. Eliminate drugging of horses.

If horses continue to break down on national television and have to be destroyed, the public will not want to view these races. Without public support, the racing industry will lose.

Posted by: Carol Ann Varley | May 13, 2008 11:44 AM

Horses are beautiful creatures, but they are pushed to far. I hate watching those races. Horses love to run and i'm sure they don't mind being riden, but they are simply pushed to far. Horse racing kills, injures and tires horses, it also promotes gambling. I don't like it one bit.

Posted by: Katie | May 13, 2008 02:44 PM

"They love to run," - how often have you seen/heard that? Well, if you were only allowed to run when you were being trained and during a race, you'd damned well "love" to run, too.

And to the idiot who said, "She gave her all and was glad to do it," I say, "When are you going to give your all and be glad to do it, because I really, really want to be there to see you being glad."

The rest is unprintable.

Posted by: catherine | May 13, 2008 04:00 PM

Susan and others,
When the ears go forward they are intense, and focused. It does not mean necessarily that are enjoying the run.
As for people who make a living off of horse racing if PETA was successful, guess they would move on to something else, just as anyone would when the business closes, they move on. Many people face this every day.
Susan how many horses have you sent to auction? How many of them were sent to slaughter?
I know you’re in the business, and you’re looking at the business end of this.
I realize you think your being kind to the horses, but again I question, after giving the horse as much care as you say you and others do, and the horse does not win, or is not making money, are they sold at auction? Do you know their fate? Can you sleep at night knowing you treated the horse with tender loving care, and then sent him off to the worst possible fate? I wonder what the horse then think of you. Or do you feel guiltless because you sent them to a riding school, or to a private owner, so the guilt goes to them when they can’t use the horse any longer
And again they are sold at auction, and then shipped off again. You and I both know that the slaughter house is some where ahead. Most horse owners ship them off to auction when they are old or no longer useful because they can’t afford the vet bills, or they don’t know how to dispose of a large horse after a natural death.
You think well, its not worth holding on to them when they cant make money for us, so off they go...and you start over with another one, over and over again...and I hope that as they are sold off, they remember you and your tender loving care, and feeling abandoned by you...think of that great sadness.

Not much different then the milking cow, use her up and then send her off to slaughter.
I guess you horse people can’t let your self think of what happens at the end of the road for most of your most precious, most loved horses.
but we do...I do...

Posted by: Holly | May 13, 2008 04:40 PM

Sorry that was for Amber and others not Susan, well maybe Susan after re reading your early posts.

Posted by: Holly | May 13, 2008 05:04 PM

I commend Peta for forcing the racing industry to take stalk of their issues, but I am a bit concerned over some of their drastic measures. Calling for the suspension of Eight Belles' jockey and trainer are a bit premature before anyone figures out - was she in fact drugged? Was she treated any differently than the other horses in the race? If peta really wants to go after the ultimate culprit and downfall of the industry, why aren't they looking at the horse's breeding? Her sire's history is a tale of unsoundness. That is the real issue and why these horses keep breaking down. And instead of attacking Jones, why aren't they looking at Big Brown's trainer and his sordid past of drug violations. They should be calling for his license! And lastly, where is/was peta when it's not a million dollar horse in the limelight? They came out for Barbaro and now for Belles. But I guess fighting for the $20,000. claimer that went down in the 3rd at Belmont does not reap the same economic benefits. Until they care as much or are willing to spend as much energy on that gelding as they are with the superstars (and I say the same about the industry - until they worry as much about the claimers as they do the stakes horses), none of us can say our hands are clean of this mushrooming nightmare. ps. maybe peta, with I'm sure all the money they are raising over this, can rescue at least one race horse from the track and the slaughterhouse. Now that would be a real tribute to Eight Belles!

Posted by: Deb | May 13, 2008 06:46 PM

Wow, Kathy, you have some serious issues besides the fact that you can't write. Maybe you shouldn't own a horse and go back to school to earn an education!

Posted by: Kimberly | May 14, 2008 09:57 AM

Okay, people say that horses "love to run." Sure, on their terms and by their choice, not someone else's. When the race is over, what does the winning horse get out of it??? Or how about the losing horses???? Think about that. This isn't for them at all.

Posted by: Amy | May 14, 2008 10:05 AM

I may not be the same Susan you meant this for , but I would like to respond to Holly anyway...
I didn't think we were discussing the slaughter issue, But I have never and would never send a horse to slaughter. You are barking up the wrong tree here. It is very difficult to find homes for horses that can no longer race but if you wait long enough the right situation will present itself. It is a responsibility that horse owners take very seriously. Most horse people do not get into the business thinking they are going to make money. They get into the business because they are horse people and they LOVE horses. I'm not sure what kind of people you know or have talked to or where you gather your information from. Then again, my guess is that you DON'T really know any horse people, you need to actually KNOW what you are talking about before you write stuff like this.

Posted by: Susan | May 14, 2008 10:52 AM

Whipping should be banned? That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Whipping does not cause a horse to break down. The jockey should be banned? Stupid too. He did not 'mercilessly' whip the filly, he whipped the filly to keep her from running into the rail! The trainer should be banned? How is this his fault? The horse ran and got hurt. how many of us have sprained an ankle while running? A lot, I'm sure. This is idiotic!

Posted by: Ella | May 14, 2008 02:21 PM

Susan my post was for Amber, I got the names mixed up, sorry, but you did answer. I thank you for that.
I do know horses, and people who own and train race horses, breeding and birthing foals for owners from all over the country.
I have seen the great pampering that these horses receive. I have been in the barns in the dead of winter, in the night as my children who were in their teens at the time, learning responsibility in those barns, as I did as a child, breaking the ice in the buckets and refilling with fresh water and mucked the stalls and re-beded mares and stallions during the night shift. We watch via camera in to stalls where mares were almost ready to foul, so they could be helped if necessary and carefully watched round the clock. We attended many births, as the owners were good friends of our family.
I do know the great care, and devotion given to these horses first hand.
My problem is that so many horses are born at great expense to the owners, and not all of them even make it to the track, and wind up at auction. The ones that race and win may end up at stud farms, at least for a while. I have also seen the stud business in action, it’s just like rape. Most of the expensive horses do not breed in the pasture, but forced so they don’t get hurt during breeding…sad sight. Expensive horses.
I also realize that placement is important to the pampered horse and some owner do care, although, the problem I see is the long run and what happens to these great horses.
You know as well as I do, that these horses are not put to pasture ...it is so rare that one would be.
When the owner sells a horse, the owner’s guilt stops there at the sale. You say to your self, that you did a good job; the horse did a good job for you and everyone worked hard, and you know you gave the best possible care, but its over now, the horse is retired from the race, no longer a profit and sold.
You move on after the sale to a new horse, and the cycle begins again.
But the horse you just sold goes on too, and it is true, these greatly pampered horses are let down.
Let down in care, and attention, they will never be as papered as they were when they were great race horses. Big Let Down, poor Horse!!!! And I bet you that they do look for you and don’t understand why their quality of life has been so greatly reduced. Imagine how scared they are….how scared you would be if you were the horse, they do feel just like you. Even gold fish in a bowl miss you when your gone.. (so say people who study fish)
Horses do most often in the long run end up at the slaughter house, alone with only a memory of their once greatly pampered lives, and you...they do, you can not deny it...it is the end result for most horses...and that is just plan unfair...placing these used up horses should be like adoption, owners should be approved first, and like taking on any other pet be responsible for the life of the animal, and its best interest for life, which is not a slaughter house.
You thought that this was just about racing and all the other things people are worried about here in these posts by good caring people.
How ever animal welfare groups look at the whole picture, it does not stop in the barns or at the track, our care about the horse goes on for the life of the horse…
We look at the welfare of all animals from birth through life and death.

Posted by: Holly | May 14, 2008 03:49 PM

I agree w/ some of you. But I mean not all people do that to their horses.
They whip them to keep going, they didn't want Eight Belles to die. It was a total accident. I mean Accidents happen, right?

Posted by: Cara | May 14, 2008 05:59 PM

Until I hear the words "I love to be pumped full of drugs, then made to run to my death" from a horse's mouth, horse racing should be BANNED. End of story.

Posted by: Jessica | May 14, 2008 08:23 PM

Horse racing has been around for much longer than this organization. PETA has made the death of Eight Bells much worse for it's owner and trainer. I am involved in horse racing and there are many laws and regulations that look after the safety of the animals. Horses aren't just animals that race and earn purses, they become pets that are part of the family. Owners and trainers care about their horses. There was nothing wrong with eight bells during the race. An injured horse would not have been able to finish second in the Kentucky derby. Injuries happen, PETA doesn't get involved when an athlete gets injured. When the pro wrestler died in the ring nothing was said. People are animals too. Get over yourselves and let the people involved deal with this in peace.

Posted by: Gunther | May 15, 2008 10:50 AM

I would like to know where the graves are for all these much loved pet race horses? There must be hundreds of thousands of them.
I know where each and every dog and cat my family has ever had over the years are buried.

Posted by: Holly | May 15, 2008 11:49 AM

Cara - that is the dumbest comment i have ever read

Posted by: Matt | May 15, 2008 11:55 AM

The average race horse lives 5-7 years whereas an average horse lives 20 year or more, some even live to 40.
Now race horse owners, explain this to me,
how come your horses dont live very long?
I really do want to know?
It could not be that you run them to death could it? or that they are so broken up from raceing that they have to be shot to put out of their pain could it?
I know a fine Horse who is loved as a family member would never be run right into the ground so hard that its life would be shortened by over 1/2?
I am sure you would never let that happen...
Would you?

Posted by: Holly | May 15, 2008 02:50 PM

There are three very important things that all of you need to understand, before you talk about the cruelty of breakdowns and racing industry in general.

1. When a horse is euthanized on the track it is not the decision of owner or trainer, if the vet can at least temporarily stabilize the injury he/she will bring it back to the barn evaluate the extent of the condition and take action based on the prognosis ( perhaps at that point a joint decision ). It doesn't matter if it is a 2k horse or a million dollar horse ( of course if there is a chance that the animal can be saved, pedigree and the owner's pocket book certainly come into play ) What I'm getting at is that Eight Belles was not euthanized because she would never run again ( think about how much the owner could have sold her for as a broodmare ) she was put down because there was NO chance of rescue. I think all members of and contributers to PETA need to understand the physiology of the horse, at least in its rudiments, before making comments on the whats and whys of euthanasia: most are absurd. Listen. Fact: a horse needs all four limbs to survive, and if one ( especially in front ) is severely compromised, the prognosis is very poor, they compensate and end up breaking down in one or more of the others. I thought Barbaro's story was enough to prove this to the public -- in reality he should have been put down the day of the injury.

2. 'Horses are beat to run, and beat to death'. Obviously none of you have ever sat on a race horse. In training once they come on the bit, they are incredibly difficult to control -- the key is not making them go -- its trying to keep them from going too fast.

The race itself is different as now you are against several opponents who are potentially as fast or faster than you, but haven't you noticed the jockey is a throttle mechanism until the final 1/4 mile or so, when they really say go.

The analogy many make between horse and human is stupid. Race horses are not pasture pets, they are athletes.

So to answer 'why don't we beat human runners?', you must define 'human runners': do you mean an athlete or some overweight desk employee. In the latter case the answer is 'that would be cruel', in the former the answer would be 'we do'. When I was jogging 10 miles a day, on my intense training days, I'd bite me tongue and hit myself in the stomach, any distraction from fatigue. In many ways the whip acts as interference, in the same way.

As I've said before if I were to go into a horses stall and beat it half as hard, half as many times as he were during his race, he'd be an emotional basket case. Why is this not so after a race? Why don't they try to savage the jockey before he gets on? Why do they never have welts where they were hit?

3. There is no 'They' in racing. Each individual owner, trainer, groom and jockey is responsible for his own actions. Horses ARE abused. Trainers/owners do just throw them out when they are not worth their weight anymore. Illegal drugs are used. The whip can be misused ( i. e. hitting a horse that has spit out the bit, or otherwise said something is wrong ). But there are too many blanket statements. The truth is that most people in the horse business are in the red; if the average person spent a day on the back stretch they would come home so sore that bagging groceries would seem a dream occupation. Most people are in racing simply because they love the animals.

Posted by: kevin ryan | May 15, 2008 04:12 PM

actually i agree with cara i my uncle breeds TBs and they are loved and cared for with every good intention. accidents happen but we cant just look at the bad things why don't you guys look at the good things if the whole world only looked at the bad things where would we be? come on accidents happen... same with Barbaro but he could be saved, because he had only broken one leg! you guys depict the horse racing industry as mean and they don't care about horses, but that is not true, many people go to horse races just to see the horses. the people in the horse racing DO care about their horses. u people get way to involved they had no other choice when peta wanted to euthanize those bulls that got in a car crash that is the same thing they did that in eight belles best intrest. they didnt want her to suffer so before you go accusing people of doing things wrong look back you wanted to do the same thing to those bulls, anyway stay out of it its none of your business just let them handle it if you were in that situation you would do the same thing. how would you transport her? look at the full picture before you accuse everybody else in the world of doing wrong things look at yourselves!!!!! gosh STAY OUT OF IT!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Chloe | May 15, 2008 06:29 PM

These horses live better lives than most animals....worry about something more relevant!

Posted by: Craig | May 15, 2008 06:53 PM

Matt, RE:Cara, really? You must have missed Jessica's comment right after that.

Posted by: Tim | May 15, 2008 08:19 PM

I would like to see PETA issue a very public apology to the jockey based on the results of the medical reports that were released today. The horse was not previously injured. It wasn't his fault. They think she just stumbled over her own feet. It was a freak accident. They owe him an apology.

Posted by: krisdee87 | May 15, 2008 08:49 PM

I am for banning Horse racing, considering how many other "Time Honored Traditions" we put to rest. Now, some warning, I'm a Montanan and though I'm pretty "Left" I'm totally for hunting and fishing and raising animals for meat. What I'm against is when "Factory Farming" takes control, when the animal becomes a product not a living thing, cruelty becomes the norm. We now eat animals that if we encountered hunting, we'd only shoot to put them out of their misery. But even that is remotely defensible compared to using animals for entertainment. Using animals in sport and for profit is evil and must be stopped. It's been slow, but there has been progress. There are no more "Boxing Kangaroos" or "Beat the Bear" acts. I used to like watching the latter as a kid, but the usually tame bear is instantly killed if it even accidentally hurts a person no matter how drunk and stupid they are. We no longer have "Geek" acts. Really, imagine a "Geek" act at the local carnival? There would be a riot. We no longer have "Badger Baiting" where a badger was taken and it's paws cut and teeth bashed out then thrown in a pit with four dogs. The maiming of the Badger was so that maybe 1 or 2 of the dogs wouldn't be crippled and have to be put down. Maybe we should bring back "Rat Baiting" where rat killing dogs are placed in a pit with hundreds of rats to see how many they kill for betting purposes? Oh, and imagine if the Toy store had a "Cock Tossing" kit? Really, look it up on Wikipedia. Both a version for using a live chicken/rooster -and- a version with a robotic chicken that flapped it's wings before a number of hits "Killed" it and sprayed (optional) blood squirts? Of course, the "Lead tipped sticks" would be heavy but not have lead and be rubber covered...

Posted by: Ben | May 15, 2008 09:07 PM

why would the vets always kill a horse who injured?
that's insane. horses also have feelings like us humans. would we want to be killed when we're injured?the one who implemented the rule about killing a horse when injured or someone who could nullify this "law" or "rule" please do so. dont be cruel

Posted by: claudio yao | May 16, 2008 12:36 AM

A lot of you have written about how wonderful race horses are treated,let me remind you of the great Alydar and how he died.Alydar was one of the greatest race horses that ever ran,he was also very successful as a stud,he was murdered for the insurance money.AGAIN GREED!The great Ribot was so abused under the whip of a jockey that he became so rank that only his groom could get in the stall with him.Ribot trusted no human except for that groom.It is true that not all trainers abuse their horses but a great majority do.I am sorry that it took the tragic death of Eight Belles to bring this to light,but hopefully because of this something major will change for all the rest of these wonderful creatures.It doesn't matter if they are five thousand dollar claimers or run in graded races they all should be treated with the greatest of respect and dignity.

Posted by: nancyc | May 16, 2008 08:28 AM

It was right to euthanize Eight Bells. She would not have survived two broken legs in the long run. She would have suffered greatly if they had tried, and not servived.
Sad but true...

that being said...

BOYCOTT THE PREAKNESS IN BALTIMORE THIS STURDAY...

STAY HOME AND HAVE A VEGETARIAN/VEGAN PICNIC AND INVITE YOUR FRIEND....

BOYCOTT THE RACE TRACK...

Posted by: Holly | May 16, 2008 09:37 AM

I am amazed by the unfounded accusations and some of the comments that I have read here. There is nothing inherantly "cruel" in the horseracing industry, and there is no call to belittle or insult the trainer, owners or the jockey of Eight Belles. To do so is cruel. The trainer himself has asked that toxicology testing be done above and beyond what the state vet wanted to do. There are strict regulations about what these animal atheletes can and can't be given, and how they are treated.
Furthermore to say that you had "no idea that it was such a dangerous sport" is almost laughable. Any sport has dangers and risks that come with it.
These horses rise to this level because they LOVE to run. Plain and simple, they love it and would run no matter where they were. Spend time in the company of horses and you will see. You will see their heart and their nobility, you will also see that they injure themselves sometimes so badly that we can only do for them what the law prohibits us from doing for our gravely ill or injured human loved ones. THAT is the deffinition of cruelty. While there may be room for improvement in the treatment of animals. There is most decidedly room for improvement in the treatment of our fellow humans. We as a species have forgotten that divinity is reflected in the eyes of EVERY creature that we meet, be they two legged,four legged, finned or feathered. Every living thing caries the spark of the divine. I am saddened by the people here who say they are so concerned with the state of our world and forget that every living thing needs it's dignity. Maybe someday we will learn. Maybe someday we will have true compassion, and not the false face put out here.

Posted by: April | May 16, 2008 09:59 AM

Why doesn't PETA go to Puerto Rico and do something about the horrible treatment of race horses at Hipodromo Camarero Racetrack? They get euthanized for "bad performance". There may need to be some changes in U.S. racing, but having been a trainer, owner, breeder, agent etc. I can say that the industry in the U.S. is not even 1/100 as cruel as you portray it. Most of us care, and love our horses. Trainers don't make a good living unless our horses are happy, healthy, and performing well. As for all this "drugging" you accuse horsemen of doing: check the facts. The policies on the race tracks are changing rapidly. What about 3 day eventing, endurance riding etc. You need to "pester" those disciplines as well. Thoroughbreds are born to run. When they show that they aren't happy doing it anymore, we (trainers, owners) find them great homes where they are loved and trained to do another discipline, or just be a trail horse. Please go focus on the race horses in Puerto Rico at Hipodromo Camarero that are being truly treated horribly by being eithanized for failure to perform well. They really need you to speak out and help them. They don't have a voice. So stop picking on Larry Jones, Gabriel Saez, and the racing industry in the U.S., and go to Puerto Rico where you actually really are needed.

Posted by: Lynn R. Woolsey | May 16, 2008 02:09 PM

It's time someone educates the public. In an article, "Industry works to prevent horse breakdowns" in the Palm Beach Post on Friday May 4 2007, I was compelled to take a stand.
I broke and trained race horses for 4 years, right here is South Florida. I learned a lot about the business and more about horse anatomy than I had ever known. I have owned horses for 40 years and believe they are Gods greatest gifts.
It was stated that in Delaware Park they threw a party on what would have been "Barbaro's" 4th birthday. Well that means he was just barely 3 years old when he broke down. Let me give you the big picture! That makes him equivalent to a 9 year old child in physical development. His bones are still growing, tendons ect., and he has been fed a high protein diet to make him bigger and grow faster. The same idea would be like stacking up a bunch of concrete blocks with out mortar to secure them together and make them strong. The bones are stretching so fast the don't have time to get strong.
Now the public, who loves to watch them run, goes to the track, and sees the big beautiful creatures and think that they are full grown! They don't know any better! One might ask, "Why don't they let them grow up?" It's all about money!! The sooner that they get big, the sooner they can break them...funny that phrase...and send them off to the track.
Ask the Jockey Club how many horses are born each year. They have the recorded birth of all Thoroughbreds. Ask how many make it to the track! Ask how many break down and are destroyed! The numbers are staggering!
Ever wonder why track records are hardly ever broken? You can't ask a 9 year old child to run the mile in under 4 minutes any more than you can ask a horse to perform their best. They aren't even going to stop growing until they are 5 years old. How many 5 year old horses have you ever heard of racing?
I have always said that if I were someone famous like Elizabeth Taylor, or extremely wealthy, I would buy the front page of every news paper in the country, or at least the most popular, and Demand that they stop killing babies!!! Have the racing commission require that no horses be raced until they are at least 4 years old. 4 years old by their birth month! Most people are not aware, a horse born in July is considered a 1 year old on January 1st. That's right! On the following year on January 1, he is considered a 2 year old, when in fact he is 1 1/2 years old. I have ridden such horses, and at the time only weighed 97 lbs. I still feel guilty.
Well, why don't they wait until they are older? Money!!! They would have to feed the horses for a longer period, vet them and probably invest another $30, 000.00 in feed and care. So what? When these 4 year olds start racing, they will be machines! They will break track records all over the country! People will see horses race like professional athletes. It could blow the lid off of racing.
So what happens in the mean time? We have no yearling races! Thank God! No 2 year old races! Thank God! So what if the tracks were closed for a year! It would not be the end of the world! When racing began again, the purses would be larger, the competition fiercer, records broken, lives saved, and no more tears for horses like "Barbaro", and "Eight Belles"
Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association is either and idiot, or enjoys hiding the truth. I wonder how much he gets to keep from selling his little blue wrist bands?
Fixing the tracks is not fixing the problem! Killing babies like Barbaro is the problem. If only the public knew!! "Barbaro" wasn't the first, and "Eight Belles" won't be the last. Until something is done about the age of racing horses, and believe me, if the public knew the truth about the ages of the horses, they would be outraged and saddened that so many beautiful horses have died in vane...all for the mighty dollar.
So there, I dare you to tell the public. If you don't...I will e-mail this to every newspaper in the country until the word gets out. Take a stand with me!
If no one believes me, please call an equine vet and confirm what I have already told you. He might not paint you the same picture, but believe me, he is making a fortune on injured horses!
Thanks, and have a nice day!
Marsha Abate
Galloping Parrot Ranch
West Palm Beach
P.S.
5 years old would be better!

Posted by: MarshaAbate | May 16, 2008 03:05 PM

Marsha Abate
Galloping Parrot Ranch,
Way to go Marsha! Thank You so very much for speaking up for the horses in such an honest bold way...Horse people need to speak up with the truth..l
I am with you, lets all pass the word on so every one knows the truth...

and also,

BOYCOTT THE PREAKNESS!!!
Saturday in BALTIMORE!

Posted by: Holly | May 16, 2008 04:08 PM

I am an animal lover, who has owned various animal including cats, dogs, rabbits and YES horses. I work at a dog shelter and have trained both dogs and horses professionally.

Horses are one of the toughest animals out there, the definition of strength, grace and beauty. However the strangest things can happen at the worst times that will forever affect their health.

I do agree that the race industry has its fault, yet great strides have been made to ensure that certain practices, such as drugging, are no longer acceptable. For instance horses have their blood drawn before and after races to test for illegal drugs in their system.

I think that the views I have read from extremists are uneducated. I have seen horses that have had injuries apparently heal up, get a clean bill of health from a vet, go through workouts, only to go lame again after an event. In fact it happens to people as well, and quite often!

I have also had the unfortunate responsibility of contacting a vet to put horses down. Two were horses in their old age. One had trapped her leg in a fence and broke her leg in three places, and the last broke his leg while rolling in a stall. Yet, I do not stop horses from going out to graze nor do I stop putting horses in stalls.

As for the whip - anyone who states that whipping a human is the same as whipping a horse is highly uneducated - while horses may not have the skin of a rhino, they certainly have thicker skin than a human! Additionally, not all horses are raced with whips - some only need to see the whip or the motion of the jockey's hand to understand what the cue means. Additionally, comparing whipping a horse in the face to whipping it on the flank is silly. Of course a horse will feel the whip sting in its more sensitive face! I am not saying that horses have not been abused with whips - I have seen a horse that was abused break out into a sweat just at the site of another rider with a whip. But I can guarantee that majority of racehorses to not view whips as a bad thing - if they did they be in a great pickle in the home stretch!

Horse racing also will never cease to exist, nor do I believe that it will (or should) drastically change the age of racehorses. While I agree that two years old is too young, I do feel that three year old racing is and should be permitted... In all riding styles, horses begin training at about two and begin competing at the age of three or four. It would be a fair suggestion to ask the same of the racing industry. I also agree that racehorses should be bred for speed as well as endurance. I think it would be great to strive for the days when the racehorse has a long career, where they expect the average career to be 9 or 10 years. Some of the greatest rivalries and greatest racehorses stemmed from the years when horses "lasted longer," and many even had lives after racing in other riding venues (such as jumping or dressage). You can teach an old horse new tricks.

I certainly do not think the jockey is to blame. As for the owners and the trainer, I do not know if they let Eight Belles race with a known injury. If she received a clean bill of health, they could have done nothing different. If they did in fact allow the horse to race with a severe injury, then shame on them. However placing blame will not strengthen the argument to change rules within the industry.

I do not think that fillies shouldn't be able to race against the boys either. Many great fillies have done so, and had spectacular careers for it. I always cheer for the filly in the pack of boys. The tragedy of Eight Belles should not force fillies out of races like the Kentucky Derby. It is part of what makes those races so great - like when Rags to Riches won the Belmont Stakes last year - it was a historic moment! So will it be if a filly ever takes the Triple Crown!

I urge people to educate themselves before they make comments on what they know not. As a lover of both the animal and the sport, I understand most of the comments on both sides of the story. I hope that each side can educate each other rather than attack each other.

Posted by: Nic | May 16, 2008 06:23 PM

the horse bresking its legs has nothing to do with the trainer owner, ECT. It has to do with the way they run. That is why it happened on the cool down lap and not during the acual race. The way the horses foot hits the ground when changeing speed is the cause. Basicaly it is a flaw of nature. It happens in the wild when no human has anything to do with the horse!!!!

Posted by: jay borne | May 16, 2008 07:40 PM

Yes, It is time to stop this blatant animal cruelty. I wish I could be there with you all to protest.

Posted by: sharon | May 16, 2008 11:02 PM

I don't like to see animals get hurt but I am not a vegitarian, however I would really like too know if the make-up lisa lange was wearing on TV friday nite was not tested on animals?

Posted by: sandra ferrando | May 16, 2008 11:10 PM

You hear from me when somethings not right! I love Peta and Horses are beautiful. There is an old movie this real country woman loves and its name is: THE ELECTRIC HORSEMAN. I would have done the same as Sunny!No horse—and no animal—should suffer for the sake of someone's amusement.

Posted by: Sheila | May 16, 2008 11:57 PM

Marsha,finally someone else who knows what they are talking about.You hit everything right on the head.Thank you for speaking out and knowing what you are talking about.There are some who post on this site that avenge the racing industry and have no idea what goes on on the back side.If people like you and I stand behind Peta I truly believe we can make a difference.I encourage you to send your letter to all the news papers.I have E-mailed the T.V. stations in Lexington,Ky.

Posted by: nancyc | May 17, 2008 07:34 AM

Thank you Ms. Newkirk and PETA for your efforts. I am so disgusted and saddened by the horse racing industry, and I hope we can bring about some change.

Posted by: Margaret | May 17, 2008 02:36 PM

testing

Posted by: lauren | May 17, 2008 04:00 PM

These horses are not fully developed by 3 years of age & they begin vigorous training long before that 3 in order to get ready for the Derby. Some have stress fractures going into the race that are sure to be catastrophic in a race such as the Derby. The reason they race so young is because then there is more time for breeding and stud fees. In addition there is no regulation over the use of pain killing medications - you wouldn't be able to tell if these horses had an injury or not they are on so much pain medicine. Please encourage more regulation and oversight.

Posted by: Tracy | May 17, 2008 08:10 PM

Thank you John Carmody for your comment on May 8th. Everyone should go back, read it, click on his name which will take you to a website where you will see things that you should truly be upset about!!!! Racehorses are better cared for and given more attention than most of your children. While you people are out picketing at Pimlico, who's attending to your children? Get real!!! Get involved in causes that truly need your attention. What about horse tripping in Mexican-style rodeos? That's cruel!! We love and pamper our racehorses.

Posted by: Lynn | May 18, 2008 02:08 PM

People who know nothing about horse racing and watch one race a year should not commit on the saftey of the horses in the sport. The sport is constantly evolving and is making it better for horses every day.

Posted by: Brandon | May 18, 2008 03:36 PM

yes i thought i would never live long enought to something done about the horse that race its long over due time to stop no wjips,no drugs,yes i beleave that horse are born an bred to race but them race the way they should on hay an grain,i know raceing have trained standarbreds an yes they saw the winners circle not much but they got checks an they ran on nothing but there proper food,
please keep me in formed,
they do have races where they are not allowed to take a whip its about time they through them away
sharry,
at least raize the age 3to 4 give them a chance to grow a little

Posted by: sharry | May 18, 2008 04:28 PM

The new farm bill, which has already made it out of the house with enough votes to counter President Bush's veto, is now in the Congress. This bill has subsidies in it for Kentucky owners of racehorses. These subsidies need to be tied to a solution for another problem in the racehorse industry; the selling of the used-up horses for meat for Europeans.
Once they have been become lame, or just "too slow" (many are often abused, drugged and generally mistreated too along the way) many end up as claimers who often go to unscrupulous horse dealers, or are directly sold to "meat men". They are then driven in long hauls to Canada and Mexico to end up as horse meat, a delicacy for the Japanese and Europeans.(Horses are no longer legally slaughtered in the US, but while that sounds good, Mexico and Canada's slaughterhouses do not have good standards for horses and the methods are cruel and inhumane)
The racehorse industry has been around for over a 100 years, and yet they do not have a standardized method of taking care of the horses once they no longer making money for the trainers and owners. This in an industry that spends millions of dollars each year and makes many more millions, literally on the backs of these animals. This has long been a dirty secret in the horse industry. When the trainers and owners could work a little harder to successfully find homes for these horses and honor the work and effort of the horses, instead, they make a couple of hundred dollars selling them to the underbelly of the horse world.
The industry needs to create and set up adoption opportunties for these horses, and/or to create facilities to take care of them in their old age.
There are many organizations and individuals throughout the country who work everyday to save these horses from the auctioneers, and find homes for all the horses they are able to save.
If our Congress would tie the money from the farm bill that is going to these owners in a way that would make them create new facilities or new options for these horses, it could be the beginning of a real change for the an industry that should have had rules and standands for the ethical treatment of these animals once they are no longer running races

Posted by: Kim Hanadel | May 18, 2008 05:20 PM

you people need to realize that euthanization is the most humane thing to do for a horse that has broken down.
As a doctor, I have done many tests with broken down horses (like Barbaro) and they are suffering. They are in pain while we are doing surgeries and after and it is hard on them.
They are in PAIN and the best thing to do is to put them down by injection. They don't feel a thing and they can run in heaven with the other horses.
As for drugs, that's bad. For the whipping, the horses actually don't feel it too much, it only helps them go straight in a race, you RARELY (maybe 2% of the time,) see marks from a whip. and if they are there, we just put medication on it and it goes away. It's really not painful if the jockeys whip they're horses right. They do have rules.
Finally, the synthetic services (I suggest the Polytrack like at Del Mar) are better than dirt.
Please, just take this all into consideration. As part of the horse racing buisness we care about our horses and we are very distraught when they pass away after breakdowns or of any circumstance. We will get this fixed.

Posted by: Dr. Matthew D. | May 18, 2008 07:07 PM

I ride reining horses that are typically American Quarter Horses, however, the breed being almost irrelevant, the love, care and respect for the animal needs to be paramount. Whenever I've achieved succes and carried that trophy or ribbon, or check back to the stall, my horse has always been the second in line to thank after God. I'll be the first to concede that I just hold the reins. The point is that we, as a public have exploited one of the most beautiful, graceful and forgiving animals on the planet. It would be hard to scrutinze, legally or not, what trainers do in preparation for huge events like a Futurity, or the Derbies of any discipline. To weed out the politics in all equine sports that seemingly have put the animal last on the heirarchy chain will be virtually impossible. We can't even weed out the crooks in our congressional leaders much less in the horse community- of course both houses of congress would be empty... We all need to be SUSPECT of everything, and ask questions, investigate, look for things- only as a part of the learning curve as a result of for too long being lead around like little lambs in this country.

Rest the amazing athletic body and soul of yet another horse who at such a tender age, gave her all for just a simple reward; food and water... (yes,read that again, THAT is humility and service) The horse doesnt't realize fame and fortune, the humans get the glory. What a shame, what a loss... Rest in peace Eight Belles.

Posted by: DR | May 18, 2008 08:01 PM

Kim Hanadel Thank You So Very Much for informing us.
Peta Great Job at the Preakness...Keep it up!
Go Vegan

Posted by: Holly | May 18, 2008 09:17 PM

1. Eight Belles had more heart than training. The blame should go to the trainer.
2. If it is determined the polytrack aids in limiting injuries, it should be used.
3. Aspirin does not keep the animal from feeling pain, mind altering drugs do, and are illegal.
4. Some horses respond sthe the whip with a flat part on the tip, and some stop.
5. There are at least six eyes watching the races as well as several cameras to insure the horses are not treated inhumanely.
6. All persons involved in racing are licensed, and infractions of the rules can result in fines, suspensions, and being banned from racing.
7. Any participant in racing who tells how bad horses are treated, should be out of racing. Why? Because if they see abuse, they should be reporting it. I saw a trainer kick a horse, and reported it. The person was suspended, and finally banned, because he should not have been around a horse.
8. If a horse does not like to run, it will not regardless of what one does to it. Any individual who uses drugs to alter a horses performance whether to speed up or slow down seems to lose his or her license to participate in racing.
8. In the event a horse gets the sniffles or something you or I contract, the horse gets better medication than you or I. The horse also gets time to recover before it is returned to training or racing.
9. Any rules established should be done with the purpose of protecting the horse.
10. In 30 years, I have never seen marks from a whip. Should I ever, it would be reported.

11. Horse racing is a noble profession, and the rules are enforced through state statutes, and are geared to protecting the horse. There is such a thing as due process, but as any rules, the more serious, the sstricter the result including jail.

Hope this helps some.

Posted by: Tom | May 18, 2008 10:40 PM

I've spent the better part of this weekend thinking about how I feel about this sport.

I've decided that I think it's ok, because I've looked into the horse's eyes. They truly love to run for the roses.

Did any of you have a look at Big Brown today before, during, and after that race. He was having a GRAND TIME !!!

I know this opinion will not be popular among the the bleeding hearts that preside here, but I'm opined to think it's the right one.

Let me understand this life correctly. I have to run 6 races and then they bring me the best fillies for "breeding" for the rest of my days?

What a deal.

Posted by: Mitch | May 18, 2008 11:35 PM

I personally think they done the right thing by putting the horse out of its misery because it would have not only cost the horse more pain and sufering by staying alive and tring to be treated.It probably would have been crippled up and mabey even not able to walk again the rest of its life now is that fair treatment for and animal?No it isnt.Also the amount of money already gone into the animal this treatment would have surpassed that by more than double to keep the animal alive.Now do you really think that they wanted to put a million dollar or better horse to sleep just because it broke not just one but both leggs,no im sure they didnt but they did do the most humane thing in the world for that aniamal.Also Bass fishermen do no treat their fish bad either on another note that i cannot find a blog for.If any of you peta members would ever go to a bass fishing weigh in at the end of our day you would see the care we take of our fish.

Posted by: Paul S. Ward | May 19, 2008 02:00 PM

USAToday censors me and my ammendment rights for call horse racing animal abuse on their site.
"Mangda,
I work in the USA TODAY newsroom connecting readers and reporting, and I'm writing to let you know about an issue with your account on our site. Our moderators have suspended your account after determining your comments do not meet the community guidelines.
The site welcomes a broad array of perspectives in the community's conversations, and these differing opinions are what lead to strong and engaging discussions. But we require original contributions that are respectful of an ongoing news conversation. Your comments violate the site guidelines against spam, repeatedly posting the same content to the site. Other readers correctly report these comments as abusive, and the moderators feel it is necessary to intervene. Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Patrick

Patrick Cooper
Network Editor
USA TODAY"

Posted by: Bob | May 19, 2008 03:39 PM

I'm sure this will never reach your website but I had to say something. The way your organization is going after the jockey of eight belles is appalling. For a group of "do-gooders" you sure know how to use the media to help your agenda. I saw the owners, trainer, and jockey in tears days after the race, George Clooney couldn't keep up that act. I appreciate the work you do with animal testing and abuse but nobody needs a witch-hunt.

Posted by: Mike Palmer | May 19, 2008 04:54 PM

Mitch
Often, the most successful race horses –if they are not gelded early—will be retired from racing at the end of their careers and kept as a stallion on a stud farm. The stallions will be used to sire future hopeful winners of races, or at least to create a successful all around horse. Yet, just because the horse has been retired to live life as a stallion doesn’t mean the life is a good one. The life of a stallion can often be lonely and isolated, as stallions many times cannot be turned out with other geldings because they are too aggressive and protective over their mares. The stallions may be kept alone inside for a majority of the time for this reason. This is not always the case, but it does happen.

For horses who are not successful or not kept as a stallion, the prospects can be highly variable. Many times the unsuccessful horses are sold to auction, where killer buyers then purchase the horses to sent to slaughter for foreign consumption.
And if the horse is sent to stud, when the lonely stud days are over they are most often sent to auction and then slaughter house...thats the happy life of your stud horse.

Posted by: Holly | May 19, 2008 05:05 PM

Just in case anyone is wondering why Rags To Riches hasn't been running since her win in the Belmont last year it is because she broke down shortly after the race.Trainer Todd Fletcher is another trainer that is great for running horses where they don't belong.Anytime a trainer enters 5 or 6 horses in the Derby is doing so just hoping to get lucky and maybe win,it matters not if they are even eligible for these kind of races.The Derby has to many horses running in it already and then you have a trainer who will enter 5 or 6 horses simply to satisfy his greed is terrible.These kind of high profile trainers do not care if the horses they are running or any of the other horses get hurt.It seems to be a great bragging right to have entered numerous horses in the Derby.After the race is over and not one of the 5 or 6 entries finished in the money the trainer acts like he is so disappointed,when in fact he knew all along not one of these horses belonged in that race.Dewayne Lucas is another great example of running horses where they didn't belong.I will give Lucas credit for admitting that he broke down more good horses,especially fillies,than he could remember.If anyone remembers, Lucas used to have a great many horses in his barns,now he has very few.Hopefully owners will start to realize that a lot of trainers are in this game simply for the money and fame.

Posted by: nancyc | May 20, 2008 09:00 AM

Dear Mitch....

You missed your calling! You should be a horse psychic!
Talk about anthropomorphism!

Horses may have a somewhat competitive spirit, but when it gets right down to their preferences, they like to eat, rest and procreate. It is we, humans, that LOVE to run them for the M O N E Y!!!

And to everyone who has commented that they think Eight Belles could have been spared, you don't understand the physiology of horses. The bones in her fetlocks (ankle) were shattered. With an animal that weighs nearly a thousand pounds, there must be even support. There was nothing for her to stand on to support her weight. Perhaps sometime in the distant future man can invent a treatment or support system to help a horse recover from a bad break, but it is simply too painful and stressful for horses to be forced to endure the process now. And you can't keep a horse in a sling for weeks at a time, or drug them constantly to numb their pain.

Barbaro's leg healed after the insertion of 23 steel pins but he developed severe lamititis which is a painful, frequently incurable foot malady as a result of uneven weight distribution.

We all wanted Barbaro to triumph over his injury and for a very long time, he did but the pain became intolerable and his owners refused to make him suffer.

Eight Belles was no doubt in extreme pain.

Horse-racing needs a complete overhall. No more drugs; no more excessive running of two-year-olds and sharp reduction in the use of the whip.

Breeders need to stop so much inbreeding and concentrate on breeding for soundness and correct structure.

Arabian stallions should be allowed to be crossed with Thoroughbreds to bring back the strong bone and stamina for which they cannot be equaled. Afterall, the Arabian is the father of the Thoroughbred!

Rest in peace, Beautiful Eight Belles!

Posted by: Susan Trout | May 20, 2008 11:36 AM

The picture on PETA's homepage is heart wrenching, no one can imagine the pain that that horse must have felt when his legs snapped, it reminds me why I am dedicating my life to helping animals and I feel GREAT about that!

Posted by: Sondra | May 20, 2008 03:00 PM

Eight Bells wasn't on any steroids and there wasn't any possible way for her to be saved. Larry Jones did nothing wrong and the jockey did nothing wrong. It was an accident. Eight Bells was one horse and I was sad to see what happened, but she was feed properly and taken care of and was humanily euthanized on the track so that she didn't suffer. This year already 13,000 horses have been taken to Mexico for slaughter. PETA should be more worried about that then going after horse racing. The number of horses that break down on the track isn't even close to the number of horses being slaughtered. How about instead of a picture of Eight Belles on the homepage they get a picture of 13,000 thousand horses many, emaciated, sick, and hurt horses getting ready to be slaughtered.

Posted by: AW | May 20, 2008 04:19 PM

AW, PETA is looking at Slaughter houses, and are working to save all animals that are destined to go there.
What you don’t realize is that many of those 13thousand horses that went to slaughter and will go to slaughter were, and are race horses who were, and will be all used up, or did not make money at the track, or were geldings who could not breed and many other horses including used up Amish Horses, Carriage Horses,and TB, and ponys who were personal pets who got sick and were to expensive to treat, or dispose of...
Animal Rights groups look at All horses, and all other animals used by humans from birth through life to death.
We want to relieve the suffering of all of them...
The Death of Eight Bells brings the abuse of these fine animals to the attention of the World, and we know that the end result of these fine animals in most cases is death at the Slaughter House...

Go Vegan...

Posted by: Holly | May 20, 2008 08:59 PM

Holly, I've appreciated reading all of your knowledgeable and thoughtful posts on this issue. Thank you.

Posted by: lynda downie | May 21, 2008 10:23 PM

You are most welcome Lynda.
I do thank you for your posts also. I can tell how passionate you are about our animal friends and their needless suffering.
I feel so strongly about this issue of our Great Horses, I do think the truth does need to be told.
Horse owners need to take off their own blinders...

Have a nice day Lynda, and keep up the good work!

and to the others who post the truth, have a nice day.

Go Vegan...

Posted by: Holly | May 22, 2008 09:45 AM

I don't think it's fair for PETA to make all these accusations because they are emotionally charged on the issue. And people have no right to point their prejudiced fingers at anyone until they see the issue at many angles. Have any of you ever been to a race track, or a stable, or farm? Making all these complaints makes you seem ignorant and whiny. Yes, I understand you are upset, but just because you see this filly break down, it doesn't mean you can say whatever you want without verifiable sources. The accident was heartbreaking, I agree, but next time try to be rational about what you say.

Posted by: S.Q. | June 14, 2008 08:59 PM

S.Q.
Rest assured that we and other groups and individual good people realize there are many angles to the great problems with horse raceing and the treatment of all horses.
Many of us have worked with horses and do understand from personal experence.
One thing for sure, we are not going away We plan to make change happen in the best interest of these wonderful animals.

We will not stop...

Go Vegan, save up to 100 farm animals per year per person...

Posted by: Holly | June 24, 2008 02:01 PM

Not training and racing horses younger than 3 years old would increase injuries and death among fully mature horses. All young horse need to run hard when young because that's when their bones develop the strength to withstand their ability to run as fast as they do adults. All the studies done by the most elite research facilities have concluded that.

I share PETA's concerns about anaimals, but you really need to understand what you are talking about before you start trashing people, industries, and animlas you know nothing about.

There is a lot of room for improvment in racing (especially drug related), but age is not the issue that many ignorant people believe.

Posted by: W.C. | July 22, 2008 08:31 AM

I watched the stretch of the Derby and I saw Eight Belles' head go up, but never saw her take a bad step. Wouldn't she have stumbled a little if you all say she hurt herself during the race. I mean an exprienced horseman would have been able to see a small misstep and how come no one's mentioned watching her legs in the stretch. If anything that should have solved if she was hurt or not. I know someone is going to say that you couldn't tell, but doesn't that just prove that she wasn't injured during the race. If she was running fine then she was fine. You can tell if a racehorse is injured during a race and she looked fine to me. Also she broke down after the race. Not right after the finish line like she would have if she was already injured. Feel free to debate this, but I want proof that she was injured during the running by her legs and not because her head moved a certain way. I'm surprised no one brought this up.

Posted by: Steph | August 27, 2008 12:04 PM

PLEASE READ THIS COMMENT, IT IS NECCESARY!Clearly a lot of these comments written by peta activists are rather ignorant. You obviously dont realize that there IS a lot being done to help regulate horse racing. Young horses do need to run quite hard as youngsters to develope their bones. even though it does sometimes get a little too rough, age has nothing to do with it. It is the drugs and the breeding. too many north american horses are bred for light skeltons to make them fast,but this causes them to be a little too fragile. breeding needs to be regulated, as well as ban of drugs. I think each stallion can only cover no more than 100 mares a year to keep the poplulation a lot lower so each fioal is valued a lot more and so the bredding is a lot more careful.

PLEASE VISIT MY BLOGS ON BLOGSPOT.COM
my username is tbsaremylife
thanks

Posted by: tbsaremylife | April 15, 2009 08:43 PM