Its sad, this is a horse who will wind up at slaughter, cus he did not want to run...
so he has now no worth...
unless he wins.
Get them PETA save the horses, save the animals...

go Vegan

Posted by: Holly | June 9, 2008 02:46 PM

I really hate people sometimes. They are so stupid! And, of course, it's mostly men who are involved in this. They don't care. It's quite obvious that the horse doesn't want to go in there!

Posted by: Shannon | June 9, 2008 03:55 PM

Unbelievable!! Looks like something out of an old west film except these boys are wearing khakis!! Horseracing (RIP)!!

Posted by: Carla | June 9, 2008 04:04 PM

This reminded me of animals that are being led to be slaughtered and just know what is going to happen.

Posted by: Maureen | June 9, 2008 05:04 PM

Wow, that is so sad.

Posted by: Canaduck | June 9, 2008 07:51 PM

Yeah, he sure does look like he 'loves to run' alright! How many guys did it take, again, to convince him 'he loves to run'?
Thanks for that, Jack. Damn good dissertation, even on a 2nd read.

Posted by: lynda downie | June 10, 2008 01:01 AM

They love to run when they are free to choose when, how fast and how far to run, not when they are spent, sore, loaded and drained with drugs, then whipped to exhaustion. "They love to run" and "we love our horses" yet race them, are lies most of the time.

Posted by: Jonee | June 10, 2008 09:17 AM

I am extremely glad that horse racing's cruelties are being looked into - but just to shed some light on this behavior guys, It's not that the horse doesn't want to race - Horses are often spooked by large objects, especially those that they have to walk into such as trailers, or gates - which is what this is. I just thought we should all be well informed and not fall victim to sensationalism. The horses in fact, do like to run. But just not to some of the extremes that the "sport" is taken to. We should focus on the drugging and overtraining of the horses - that's the real issue - but I love the passion! They do need our help! Keep digging, there are some serious issues that won't be dealt with without a major uproar because of the money that racing generates...

Posted by: Staci | June 10, 2008 10:29 AM

if you people knew anything about horses you would realize just because the horse didn't want to go in there does not mean it doesn't like to run there is a thing as afraid of the gate if you could really see how race horse are treated you would understand they are treated better than alot of people get a live and quit tring to stop something you know nothing about

Posted by: jackie | June 10, 2008 02:15 PM

Horses may naturally like to be playful and run just like many animals, however, the bottom line is that this type of racing, along with the crowd noise and everything involved with it is not a natural state for the horses or any other animals to be in! Look at it from a natural way first, not the way some people would like for it to be! Check with nature and you'll find the correct answer!

Posted by: Steve | June 10, 2008 02:15 PM

Hey Jackie - this horse Night Light was the betting favorite but finished next to last beaten by 11 1/2 lengths. He didn't want to race.

Posted by: Ron | June 10, 2008 05:50 PM

Staci... Do you have any idea what happens to those race horses that dont win?

They dont like the gate, that's true. They also shouldnt be "broken" at 18 months old when their bones are still too brittle. Those horses are treated horribly.

You need to learn a little bit more about race horses before you come here and start spewing nonsense.

I feel sorry for this horse, and all other race horses.

The sport is no sport at all.

(I'm a horse owner and I know how much horses like to run)

Posted by: wendy | June 10, 2008 07:44 PM

The horses are afraid of the starting gate. I wish they would go back to the old style of line up,, before the invention of the starting gate.

Posted by: Mary | June 10, 2008 08:30 PM

That's awesome. It says so much about horseracing and the selfishness and greed involved. I need to save this video and show it to anyone who would say "they love it."

When people say "horses love to run," I agree with them. I bet horses do love to run. However, that statement has nothing to do with horseracing.
They would have to say "horses love to be `broken` then exerted to near death, as slaves to money-hungry people."

Posted by: Joshua | June 11, 2008 01:05 AM

Horses are generally broke to load into the gate before being brought there. When horses don't want to load it's generally because something is bothering them . I've worked in the track before , so I do know a little something about TB racehorses !

Posted by: Dothia | June 11, 2008 02:41 AM

Jackie,

What is your problem? Read back what you wrote. You're pretty narrow-minded, aren't you? Oh, and learn how to spell!

Posted by: Shannon | June 11, 2008 09:55 AM

I do know about horses actually. There is a track near my house and I used to wander by as a child.I was disgusted!Several of my family members have beautiful horses.Yes horses love to run... without a man on their backs, the noise of the tracks, the whip, the drugs and so forth.And lets not forget the lack of concern their riders and "owners" have for them when they are sent off to become carrion.And also the blithe ignorance of the crowd when a horse goes down. I was watching animal cops on animal planet last night and saw a starving horse with a textbook sized gash in his neck where you could see his insides. Luckily he survived and the officers were sending carriage horses into shelter because of the heat much to the annoyance of tourists.

Posted by: Annalena | June 11, 2008 11:48 AM

The only thing I dislike about horsevacing is how they drug them up. But oh well the stupid horse didnt want to load, does anyone care no! get over it and let us Normal people who arent complete IDIOTS live our lives.

Posted by: Nobody | June 11, 2008 01:39 PM

This reminds me when I tried to put my dog outside the other day...he just would not go...I eventually pulled him by the collar and he finally went...I am so ashamed of myself.

Posted by: Al | June 11, 2008 03:09 PM

Some horses are afraid of the gate. A lot of horse will balk and and refuse to go in, but eventually will go in, and run just fine. Even winning. Also, talking about breaking horses at 18 months, I have a horse that was broken at 18 months, and guess what? He's PERFECTLY FINE! He absolutely LOVES to run, and he is perfectly sound. Why don't you ask whoever broke your horse, if you even have one, how old the horse was when he was broke. Most horses are broke at about 18 months.

Posted by: LIZ | June 11, 2008 08:44 PM

The sad demise of Eight Belles has shown to open the discussion of the horse racing industry. Millions of people who normally have no interest in horse racing are now entering into what must be an honest, humane, objective, look at what horae racing is all about. Why do we do it, for who's benifent? Does it have any redeeming qualities to bring man and animal together? Should we continue? Has curruption enhtered into the "Sport of Kings?" Has it always been currupt?
It is my hope Eight Belles' life and subsequent death will open an intellectual, honest, and transparent discourse. We all need to have respect for these magnificent and noble creatures.

Posted by: Chrystal | June 11, 2008 09:04 PM

Nite Light is VERY well bred. His dad is Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch and his mom is Kentucky Oaks winner Lite Lite. He is a stakes winner, and has run some very fast races. Based on that, he will never be used to slaugter. He has very good value as a sire. Whoever wrote that about being slaugtered someday is very ignorant. Also, Nite Light has had much success on the track - he would not have won as many races as he already has if he hated what he was doing...

Posted by: Sam | June 12, 2008 08:32 AM

Thanks for posting, I have seen horses do everything they can NOT to race. This is an evil sport and I applaud and support PETA in all it is doing to stop the abuse!!!

Posted by: liz | June 13, 2008 10:33 AM

Sam:
Why don't you tell Ferdinand and Excellor that champions don't go to slaughter. Wait, you can't, they both did....

Posted by: Spay and neuter immediately, please | June 13, 2008 11:08 AM

Once again, PETA, has shown us a clip of ONE horse that was terrified of the gates(not running), and stereo typed every horse. The trainer poorly trained this horse. I work at the track and we work our horses out of the gates often, so they won't be scared. Willingly go in. GATES AND RUNNING are two different things. PETA YOU ARE INGNORANT. Get a life. Don't you have pet stores to burn down, and innocent people to terrorize?

Posted by: Iris | June 13, 2008 02:40 PM

This is ridiculous. Not every horse goes to slaughter. Do you have proof that this horse is going to be slaughtered? There are rules in racing and this horse will definately have to be schooled after this and if he doesn't show improvement, they will ban him from racing again. My husband trains race horses and not one of our horses have ever been sold for slaughter. I re-train them myself as riding/jumping horses and usually sell them to good homes. By the way, do you know there hasn't been a horse go down in the Kentucky Derby in 75 yrs? It wasn't what anybody wanted to see, but accidents happen at ALL horse competions. What are you going to try to stop horse shows next? Get a life! One more thing, I used to support your organization and have donated money to you before. But never again,you make me sick. Do you realize how many people make a living and support their families through the horse industry? You are barking up the wrong tree. There is a lot of good that comes from being involed with horses, so shame on you for telling lies about the above horse going to be slaughtered, that's a pack of lies. So I hope God punishes you!

Posted by: Darlene Crumley | June 13, 2008 04:55 PM

Hey, so I am glad that everyone in the PETA organization is an expert on horses. Well, let's clear up some things. First off many horses that don't make it on the track find careers elsewhere such as barrel horses and exercise horses. If you don't know what a barrel horse is then you really don't know much about horses. And also it seems like your organization contradicts itself. I believe your organization kills of many animals, because they are, so called, unwanted and abused. So why should you be against slaughtering? It is only getting rid of animals that are otherwise unwanted and abused right? I love rhetorical questions.

Posted by: Chance | June 13, 2008 05:00 PM

Yeah, but it's ll about how the animals die, cruelly, or not. Most slaughterhouses are cruel.

Posted by: Natalia | June 13, 2008 06:00 PM

On Sunday June 1st, I attended Eddie Andelman's Hot Dog Safari at Suffolk Downs in Boston, MA. for benefit of the Joey Fund, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation- a charity I hold very true to heart.

After having 2 hot dogs, and not feeling so well.. my friends and I sat in the grandstand to relax.... the 45 minutes following just changed my life, and the decisions I make. The days horse races at the track consisted of "maidens" who's first time running the races. These animals did nothing but put up struggle, and resist all movements, even resulting in throwing themselves to the ground. In just the 3rd race of the day, I witnessed with my very own eyes, a horse break it's leg and be euthanized. Traumatized, and feeling extremely ill from the disgusting beef bi-product I had ingested... It inspired me to take PETA's "30 Day Pledge to go Veg", and I've done great, and am loving my recent change in lifestyle. I'm trying my hardest to life cruelty-free. Thanks guys!

Posted by: AnthonyJTa | June 13, 2008 07:01 PM

I hate the fact that people try and justify horse-racing because horses are "made/born to run". I've been around horses for many years, and I've worked with ex-racing Thoroughbreds(the cheapest, slowest ones that were bound to be shipped off somewhere for slaughter). And as much as I will agree that they enjoy running, running with a jockey atop his/her back with a crop and saddle for 1/4 a mile with other horses thundering by so close is NOT fun for ANY HORSE. It's disgusting. And if they do survive the race, the huge majority of race-horses have health and physical implications especially on their frail and delicate spine and legs. They are also often mentally and emotionally traumatized as I've found that most ex-racing horses have been trained to 'run' to the point where they are just nervous, anxious, flighty wrecks.

Posted by: Andrea | June 14, 2008 12:47 AM

It's all about how the animals are killed is not a good response. That is like saying I killed a guy, but I injected him so it wouldn't hurt. You are saying that just because you kill by injection its ok, but people who kill by other means are cruel. Well that is holding a double standard. Both are killing. No matter how you want to cover it up it is killing. At least slaughtering benefits society. Injection isn't solving any problems. It is sweeping the dust under the rug. Hypocrisy can stink.

Posted by: Chance | June 17, 2008 02:46 AM

any one who deals with horses will no in a crazy atmosphere horses spook easy, not wanting to go into a confined space may be scary but when that gate opens there off with the wind, its in there blood

Posted by: case | June 18, 2008 07:26 AM

I breed and race horses. I am (knock on wood) an owner who has never had a horse break down. I just spent $300.00 to give my horse away. We love horses slow or fast.Research your facts before you write off the Sport of Kings!

Posted by: I love race horses | June 18, 2008 08:40 AM

Horses don't like to be broken. And horses don't like to be forced to run, simple as that. In fact this "sport" is on a level of cruelty as that found in the training and continuous abuse of circus animals, sentient and intelligent animals that are forced to perform stupid tricks to the benefit of no one. Cruelty abounds in the horse racing industry there can be no doubt. The fact that many race horses end up going to slaughter, are ritualistically abused and spend most of their time confined in small stalls is a clear sign that this nothing but anthropocentric and inhumane animal abuse.

Posted by: vegancoin | June 18, 2008 09:58 PM

this is stupid. thoroughbreds love to run, thats what they are bred for. if a horse doesnt want to do something, trust me, it wont. some horsees get scared of the chutes, get over it.

Posted by: amanda | June 19, 2008 12:39 PM

the reason he didnt want to go in is because he knew what he was there to do and he didnt want to go him! but sadly im sure hell end up slaughtgted for that people have so many misconceptions that these horses like to run! they are drugged and beaten into doing what they do and people dont get it...

Posted by: Lexie | June 19, 2008 11:56 PM

So, I have a question. Say you decide to go save this "poor abused horse", how are you going to save it? Of course you're going to put it into a trailor to transport it to your place that is "soo much better". Well I'll tell you what it's going to act the exact same way if not worse. Then won't that make you just as bad of a person?

Horses that race are well taken care of. All of them. Infact, most horses live in stables that are better than my freaking house. They ALL have UP TO DATE and the BEST vet care. Quite honestly, race horses and show horses are most likely the best kept horses.

You have NO idea about horse abuse if you think this is it. I have rescued horses that were close to death, and the places they were weren't even the worst of what's out there. You should put more time and energy into saving the poor horses that get stuck in horrible situations and have to drag on just barely alive until they die.

I believe the worst I've ever heard was about some hunters who took emaciated horses way out into the mountains on a hunting trip and they had to carry all their gear plus large men when they could barely stand, then the poor horses were left tied to trees without food or water for days. That seems MUCH worse than trying to force a horse through a gate to me.

Posted by: Denise | June 20, 2008 02:26 AM

I remember Jenny Pittman (horse trainer) being interviewed about an OLD horse that she was running that day - "he's an old boy but he loves to run - I just hope he gets round in one piece he's a character"

Yeah, you guessed it!

The poor old boy collapsed shortly after the race had started from a heart attack

I find horse racing evil and like most things it's ruled by greed and money

OH BUT THEY LOVE THEIR HORSES - we hear - but
only if they win!

They are put out to stud
(another debate!) sounds a natural process but it's horrendous!

Yeah they look after their horses - ask HILLSIDE FARM
they have quite a few race horses at the sanctuary!

DUMPED OUTSIDE THEIR DOOR!

Posted by: Shirl | June 20, 2008 05:07 AM

Iris: You sound like a menopausal nutjob...."I hope God punishes you" ???
You should get a boot to the ass for that comment.
Go to www.hauteecole.ru/en/ and read and see what real horsemanship is. Also check out the "friends" link, and www.bitlessbridle.com.
And Darlene Crumley, I would like to bridle YOU and yank your mouth and head around 3 barrels going at top speed...oh yeah, and see if your knees hold up to that punishment.
Thanks PETA, I think you guys are doing a great job!
Cheers.

Posted by: MoonGodess | June 20, 2008 09:44 AM

Um reality check, most race horses don't get sent to slaughter.

Posted by: Jenn | June 20, 2008 10:27 AM

this is horrible. how could people be so mean, i think that animals shouldnt be forced to do what they dont want to do. obviouslyy that horse did NOT want to race. they had to resort to pulling it by its ear and getting people to push it from behind to make it go in! this is just cruel.

Posted by: Julie | June 20, 2008 10:51 AM

For the past few weeks I sat back and read comments about Eight Belles, Big Brown and in racing in general. Most comments come from the heart with good intentions.But Im sorry most comments are untrue and have very little fact backing them. Please please please do some research... Take some time to learn the facts.Please dont make a fast judgement against an industry you know little or nothing about.Perhaps take a trip to Kentucky and visit Claiborne Farm and walk through the memorial for horses that pass.. It is very moving.. It represents and shows deeply our love and respect for these animals. Again LEARN the truth.

Posted by: David | June 20, 2008 12:06 PM

Look at that gelding's body language.. his ears cannot go any further back! He's obviously scared, annoyed and unhappy.

Horse racing is cruel, it's as simple as that.

Posted by: Isabella | June 21, 2008 04:24 AM

Isabella..
Nite Light is a COLT not a gelding BIG DIFFERENCE.. Please LEARN and RESEARCH before posting comments It makes PETA and you look more credible..
Nite Lights Race record 10starts 5 Wins 3 Place 0 Show Earnings 258,520 Winning 50% of his races and in the money 80%.... Leads me to believe he likes to compete. Dave Please take time to learn

Posted by: Dave | June 21, 2008 11:15 AM

Nite Light in the Video in a Colt not a gelding... Yes there is a difference

Posted by: Dave | June 21, 2008 10:19 PM

Sam
Ferdinand and Excellor were not destoyed in the US both were destoyed oversees. When a horse is sent oversees we have no control. It was a very sad ending for two great champions

Posted by: Dave | June 21, 2008 11:40 PM

I just saw a horse race for the first time tonight and it absolutely broke my heart. What is even more disturbing is that everyone around was excited and no one could understand why I was upset. My girlfriend tried to convince me that the horses like to race and want to win. The entire thing brought me to tears. How can the world be blind to such cruelty?

Posted by: Jessica | June 21, 2008 11:53 PM

Lexie...
"sadly im sure hell end up slaughtgted"
Nite Light has already won 5 out of ten races... And earned a little over $260000.00. He likes to race.Gee what would happen if you saw a video of a horse refusing to get into a trailer? Ya think their gonna shoot him? PLEASE LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT HORSERACING! Really... a You Tube video doesnt make you an authority on how to LOAD a horse... Oh and by the way over the years there has been many books and articles written about loading horses.. Perhaps you should read one. Im sorry to be so sarcastic .. But again people love to comment on which they know nothing about.

Posted by: Dave | June 22, 2008 12:06 AM

The truth about horseracing is that is a dirty greedy business. Just because a horse is trained, abused, whipped and forced to run, and then wins a race doesn't mean he likes to run. That is pure nonsense.

Posted by: vegancoin | June 23, 2008 01:57 PM

Thank-you PETA for getting involved in this! I saw that two more horses were killed at Churchill Downs Saturday (6/21) and I saw another horse, Unbridled Danger, who hated to race being man-handled and blindfolded to get into the starting gate on the TV at the gym - my thoughts were also that he'd end up being slaughtered - very, very sad! I read that they are starting some sanctuaries for retired race horses (which save only a very few) but they say they don't have enough funding which is crazy! Please also help lobby to have a portion of winnings and entry fees go to retirement sanctuaries!! This should not be so profitable for the "owners" at the expense of the horses!! Thanks!!

Posted by: Lilykit | June 23, 2008 04:04 PM

Trained YES.....Abused, whipped and forced to run is not the case . Please get the correct facts. Horses are not whipped or forced to run..
Dave
Please research the truth

Posted by: Dave | June 23, 2008 04:26 PM

Lilykit
"my thoughts were also that he'd end up being slaughtered - very, very sad!
Lilly THEY WILL NOT SLAUGHTER Unbridled Danger for not loading.. Again loading is an issue for a lot of horses... He will not get beaten or abused... Where do you get your information from? Basic Gate training as its called is WALKING a horse through the gate with the gate being open ... Then you might want to try to walk the horse through the gate with a rider on its back.. When the horse is comfortable in whats its doing the gate is closed ... The horse is not beaten the horse is not hit... Trainers want it to be a positive experience for the horse not a negative experience. Some horses have problems walking through gates to a field ... Door to a trailer or even their door to their own stall. Please ask questions and learn the truth. Dave

Posted by: Dave | June 23, 2008 05:11 PM

Lily... They don't have enough funding which is crazy!
What they are referring to is the SKY ROCKETING cost of hay and Bedding... Due to the high cost of fuel there has been a drastic increase in the hay bedding and grain.... On a sad side note ... Private owners with pleasure horses have been letting horses go in the wild because they can no longer afford to feed the horse. Most of these horses are found dead in the woods due to starvation.

Posted by: Dave | June 23, 2008 05:56 PM

I support PETA in many of their campaigns. Lets not throw the baby out with the bath water.
Yes get the overtraining and drug use right out of any horse and human sporting endevour.
As for the going to slaughter from the race track, have you any idea whatsoever of the worth of a thoroughbred.
There are thousands and thousands who retire onto dressage, competative jumping, gymkhana and pleasure riding.
their owners and riders adore them. They are not flighty emotional wrecks, they are members of families.
My family have been involved in owning training and racing in Australia. My dad is 78 and retired and all eleven of his equine mates are buried on his property.

Posted by: Coral Giffin | June 25, 2008 07:37 AM

No your useless commentary speaks for itself, go head and paint all the pretty and bucolic pictures of life after racing for your typical racehorse that you want, but the "truth" is much more shocking and revealing. In the USA 100,000 horses a year are sent to slaughter, and 15% of them are thorougbreds. That's 15,000 race horses. You do the math.

Posted by: vegancoin | June 25, 2008 03:45 PM

kelly.....Let me ask you.. Where did you get your extensive knowledge of horse racing? Perhaps you took the crash course offered by HBO.. Face it before Eight Belles you knew nothing about racing at all. Typical of PETA and their followers to jump on the bandwagon stomp their feet and yell as loud as they can about something they know little about.Way before the demise of Eight Belles and Barbaro organizations such as Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation or The Gluck Equine research Center have been involved in research to help understand and minimize racing injuries and related deaths...Other organizations such as THOROUGHBRED CHARITIES OF AMERICA (their mission statement)"To provide a better life for Thoroughbreds, both during and
after their racing careers by supporting retirement, rescue and
research and by helping the people who work with them."
I don't think I have to explain what they do.--- You people think this is a cold noncaring industry based on greed. That is so far from the truth.. But you will never understand that because your not willing to learn the truth.... Want to hear a truth? Because of economic times.. Private (pleasure) horse owners are letting their horses go free in the wild because they can no longer afford to take care of these animals.. Weeks later these horses are found dead from starvation. Some foreclosed home owners are forced to bring their pets to a shelter because they no longer have a home or even worst just leave the animal at the home hoping for the best..What are you doing about those owners? What are you doing about the pets? So you still want to rant and rave about Horseracing? You people are clueless to what the real problems are. Please research ... Please take the time to learn .. Knowledge is Power.
Peta has detroyed 19215 left in their care....You do the math.

Posted by: Dave | June 25, 2008 08:32 PM

vegancoin... And where did you acquire your equine education? HBO Special? 5000 word article in a magazine? Please don't quote statistics you took out of a magazine. By looking at your other posts your demeanor suggests you would never be willing to learn the truth about horses and racing ... Knowledge is power.. Take time to learn before you argue.
Dave

Posted by: Dave | June 25, 2008 08:49 PM

Vegancoin your personal attack is uneeded. No pretty pictures either. Hundreds of thousands of human beings are engaged in meaningful partnerships with their horses. get them onside in your campaigns and you have a powerful lobby who already love horses. 15% of those slaughtered are thoroughbreds in the US. That most assuredly is not 15,000 racehorses. Get this straight horses are injured everyday in their home paddock. Not all thoroughbreds are race horses. If you keep blathering about all thoroughbreds this way you will alienate all those who keep, breed, show, compete, ride and enjoy thoroughbred horses and do thoroughbred horses no good at all.
Just quietly if we acieve the ultimate aim of shutting down the whole racing industry, where do all the racehorses go? Are you going to ensure they are retired safely with good feed, care, vet services etc. How many hundreds of thousands of racehorses will be slaughtered then. Or do you have a horse nirvana up your sleeve?

Posted by: Coral Giffin | June 25, 2008 10:35 PM

In 1989 348,400 horses were slaughtered in the US compared to the 100000 currently. Two things contributed to the reduction of horse slaughter in the US. Every year more and more horse rescue and adoptions are being made and better yet horse owners taking more responibity with horses after their careers at the track is done. I have a friend who owns a horse who is a broodmare. He bred her for several years. As she got older she was retired and now spends her days on the farm in her own field. He still pays all her bills and flies to Kentucky to visit her several times a year. As a breeder she just ok. But she is the pride of his life. You see the thing you don't understand is that most owners feel the same way about their own horses. You can rant and rave all you want but until you learn you will never know.
Knowledge is power.
Dave

Posted by: Dave | June 25, 2008 11:27 PM

ummm well all you people it could be ALOT worse. how did they abuse the horse dont misunderstand i love horses, and if i knew they were abuseing the horse then i would know that would be wrong. but there are thousands of people out there and all they did was push the horse in the gate and all it is ,is that the horse is afraid of the gate and it isnt tht bad i have horses and that wasnt hurting the horse....the horse didnt feel any pain. but if what some of the comments are true like one of them says, that they get slaughterd then omg the people that eat the freaking horse have some seriouse problems and why would some1 eat a horse....but it could be alot worse did you see that china fur farm go look that up that is 10X no 10000X worse than this and if this is abuse then im against it but its not that bad so....

Posted by: kristi jackson | June 26, 2008 11:04 AM

Horse racing is indeed a dirty business when horses are raised in factory farm conditions, endlessly doped up with "enhancement" drugs, are forced to run in dangerous conditions, housed and transported with minimal standards and care, being little more than gambling icons. Case in point: Eight Belles. Even though the camera fortuitiously panned off of her, it was no pretty picture.

"ummm well all you people it could be ALOT worse"
i can imagine nothing worse than being treated as a precious and pampered racing horse one minute, a valuable commodity, but the next minute ending up in a kill pen or a slaughterhouse because the horse is no longer profitable, doesn't run fast enough, has turned up lame due to mistreatment and abuse, or doesn't meet some equally insane and arbitrary inhumane standard.

Horses suffer, the owners and trainers do not.

Posted by: vegancoin | June 26, 2008 05:34 PM

That horse was scared to go to that gate, maybe it doesn't like small spaces? But see, it got out of that gate RUNNING with the other horses.

If you try whipping an untrained horse, it doesn't know what to do. Horses are trained to response to a whip.

Posted by: Johanna | June 27, 2008 06:43 AM

To all of those grossly misinformed... all of the equine slaughterhouses are now shut down.... hope you all have the funds and time to take care of all of the starving horses now, not just the racing ones, but ALL of them.

Posted by: Sarah | June 28, 2008 11:33 PM

I have worked with horses for 25 years, so i know a little. No, they did not just push him into the gate. Watch the jockey and one of the men loading. They repeatedly twisted the colts ear. Very painful, as you can imagine.

Posted by: Melissa | June 29, 2008 11:38 PM

Sarah, don't you think it should be the owners who take responsibility for the full life of the horses they own?

Posted by: lynda downie | June 29, 2008 11:54 PM

So Sarah, you admit that the slaughter house is the end result of all horses or they houses will starve,
and now that the slaughter houses are shut down in the US You horses owners sell them knowing they will be sent out of the country for slaughter house death,
You Sarah, think slaughter house death is ok for your most loved horses! who YOU CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO FEED?
My God, what happened to taking on a horse as a loved friend and pet.
A person who takes on a horse should be responsible for the animal for life and should be screened to assure they can afford to feed and give vet care for life...and never allow the horse to be sent to slaughter cus you, the horse owner cant afford your horse any longer!.
Sarah, I want to know, do you send off your dogs and cats to slaughter too when you are done with them? No if you cat or dog are old and in pain you have them painlessly put to sleep...so you should do the same with your horses and if you cant do that you should not own them in the first place...
Shame on you for buying horses you cant afford to feed, and then send them off to an awful death...
Shame on you....
The US Slaughter houses are shut down in the US because they are Painful death houses that is why they are closed, the people who care demanded it,

the next step is to pass laws that wont allow you horse owners to sell at auction to people who are know as killer buyers who transport your most loved horses out of the country for slaugher house death...

Then you horse owners will have to be responsible for the whole life of your most loved horses...and if you cant afford to keep them or feed them then you should not have had them in the first place and the law will get you for starving your most loved horses...

If you cant afford them for life, you should not have horses...

The laws will make it so...
and we will not stop until it is so...

GET THEM PETA!
KEEP THE PRESSURE ON!

Posted by: Holly | June 30, 2008 10:04 AM

I was so up set when I posted my last post I typed to quickly and did not reread before I posted, but I think you get my point....

lynda downie got right to the point...thanks Lynda...

Save the horses from abuse and painful death in the slaughter houses..
Make "horse owners" responsible for the life and health of the horses!

Go Vegan...

Posted by: Holly | June 30, 2008 11:58 AM

Holly
Because of economic times.. Private (pleasure) horse owners are letting their horses go free in the wild because they can no longer afford to take care of these animals.. Weeks later these horses are found dead from starvation. Some foreclosed home owners are forced to bring their pets to a shelter because they no longer have a home or even worst just leave the animal at the home hoping for the best..What are you doing about those owners? What are you doing about the pets? So you still want to rant and rave about Horseracing? You people are clueless to what the real problems are. Please research ... Please take the time to learn .. Knowledge is Power.
Dave

Posted by: Dave | June 30, 2008 05:04 PM

Hey Dave,
I know people have done that with dogs and cats for years that why we have so many Farrel cats and dogs out there these days, pet owners fall for one reason or another and the pets are left behind to fend for them selves.
I dont have all the answers, but I do think that we humans need to be responsible, weather its a cat or a dog or a horse. If we cant care for them we need to bring in people who can help. I would much rather see a horse euthanized painlessly then sent to a slaughter house. That is how the kill shelters handle the over population of cats and dogs they cant place...another thing, over population of horses is a problem too. too many horses not enough homes for them...

Hey have a Great Day,
and
Go Vegan, save up to 100 farm animals per year and your health and our earth...

Posted by: Holly | July 1, 2008 11:33 AM

Let me tell you 1st about slaughter in a sentence: A horses name is not tatooed on their ass. They are just flesh when they get sent to SLAUGHTER and there isn't a name-brand horse policeman waiting at the gates of the slaughter house checking horses names to make sure no "good runners" or "champions" or well loved national favorites get killed. Trust me on that. History bears the truth, see Exceller, Ferdinand...I am certain the list goes on. Do you think Barbaro would have been given life saving treatment had he been on the track say in Indianapolis or some other small track? Doubt it.

Second: This video disturbs me 1st as a horse person. I have a horse whose ears you can't touch, guess where I got him...a TB horse rescue. I have to literally disassemble his bridle to get it on his head. Why should any animal be treated this way and then the crowd applauded the VICTORY of the human khaki clad men over the vile beast who was holding up the post time? What you see when the cameras are on is tame I do believe compared to what happens when no one is looking. I Have seen it on tracks and in training barns on many different horse disciplines,

About horses loving to run..I don't know but my Off the track TB has these terrible scars all over his hips...look like whip marks to me. He loves to run - of his own accord now. SEe other posters about feeding and stabling practices of races horses. They are kept like hot house flowers only worse b/c they are fueled by artificial sources of pent up energy. I know this too b/c how many adoption agencies for ex-racers say things like "still coming down from his on the track meds - can't be turned out with others".

Third: Horse race lovers...I find that many ppl I KNOW who love horse racing don't love horses. And if they do love horses, then they are almost deeply torn by the oppositional forces of humane treatment vs. love of the sport. They love the race, they love the betting part, they like the socialization and competition part. They buy into it. Then there are those who make money off of it...trainers etc. Some of them are compassionate afterall, I know this. But, really...shouldn't the changes to an industry come from the inside? And why do insiders get so upset when someone tries to upset the apple cart and call them on the carpet for their behavior. I don't think it should take a congressional investigation (wow, tax payers money at work there) for a self regulating organization to begin to polic themselves in the treatment of their primary asset - the HORSES. I mean honestly, aside from regulating betting at a state level, how does the horse racing industry (note the word usage there INDUSTRY ppl!!!) show up in Washington w/o it's latest star (what is Big Brown's trainers name...oh wait I forgot) with pie on its face and pretend to be professionally concerned about the welfare of the horses.

And finally: I think the horse lovers of the world should serious take a look at how NON-HORSE people perceive their actions. Especially the ones who pay entrance fees and buy tickets to events, like races, Rolex 3-day events, fancy barn tours, rodeos, etc. It is in these people's perceptions that we can learn most of our weaknesses. And since they are footing the bill for so much of what professional horsemanship is doing esp. in racing, I think PETA is sounding an outsiders wake-up call that will signal more than just dialogue. You can't condemn the whistle blowers for being appalled at what they see just b/c in the eyes of the offenders they don't know what is professionally acceptable or not.

Keep up the good work.

Posted by: Carla | July 2, 2008 03:19 AM

Thank you so much Carla, what a truthful post.
The truth needs to be told, and people need to listen...

Agan, Thank you Carla..

Save the horses from abuse and painful death in the slaughter houses..
Make "horse owners" responsible for the life and health of the horses!

Go Vegan, Save up to 100 farm animals per person per year, and your health and our earth..,

Don't let your body become a graveyard for farm animals...

Go Vegan!

Posted by: Holly | July 3, 2008 01:01 PM

There is a horse I ride frequently at my barn. She's a 27 year old mare, but acts like a four year old! Her favorite thing to do is to gallop fast--to run and give her legs a nice long stretch. At a walk she tries to go into a trot. At a trot she gets sneaky and tries to canter..and so on. My instructor and I believe she used to be a racing horse. She now does barrels and wins in other western events, on top of being a lesson horse for advanced riders. I never have trouble encouraging her to take it up a notch or pick up the pace. This is an example of a horse that enjoys working in partnership with humans that is beneficial to both.

While many practices of the racing and even the showing world are questionable, we must understand that horses are animals that are built to run and endure work. Everything from their physical make-up to their ancient instincts lean towards running. Horses are also very playful and competitive creatures, so it is only natural that they have a love of running, as well as the desire to win.

But just like any athlete, horses have their "off" days too. Saying that a horse does not like to run because it was feeling grumpy one afternoon race is like saying a world-class track athlete does not like to sprint because he/she got into an argument with their coach prior to a race. It would be more accurate to say that there are certain terms or conditions that have not been met to satisfy the desires of the horse/athlete, which would probably be behind the reason of their poor performance. In other words, if something is bothering a horse, it will let you know by not behaving normally.

Now, I'm not trying to smack down anyone's arguments that horse racing is a cruel sport. Honestly, there are sports that people like, and sports people hate, for some reason or another. But when you say you think horse racing is cruel because of whips and drugs and dirty tricks, you are refusing to accept the fact that there have been several great winners in history that have won huge races without using the whip once.

And euthanizing a downed horse in pain is far more humane than keeping them alive to endure their pain if the injury is too great. Thanks to research done in efforts to save Barbaro, horse medicine has taken a significant leap, so that horses that do have bad injuries can be comfortable and hopefully heal more successfully. However, if a horse breaks its legs, people must realize that it is NOTHING compared to if a human falls and breaks his/her leg. Horses are extremely balanced animals--they are top heavy, and rely on all four of their legs to distribute the weight, but after one of them breaks, then all that weight is then transferred to the remaining three. After a long period of time, these legs and hooves break down from the added stress, therefore making it extremely painful if the procedure is not successful in the end. Treatment is also very costly, so for both financial and humane reasons, putting a horse down is usually the most sensible.

And for those horses that turn out to be hopeful prospects in the beginning, but fall short of the mark, there are plenty of opportunities that offer ex-racing horses a life as a jumper or barrel horse. The slaughterhouse is no longer an option for owners anymore :]]

Horse Racing can be an enjoyable sport, both for spectators, owners, and horses, however people are doing the right thing by cracking down on drug/physical abuse to the animals, in efforts to encourage more fair plays and better sportsmanship in the industry.

(I've noticed this in the above posts, but if people have comments about my post, I would so kindly ask that you not attack myself or my character, but refer directly to the statements I support. Please remember, I'm a horse lover too!)

Posted by: Kaylin | July 8, 2008 08:20 PM

Well said, Kaylin! I too am a horse fan and although it is sad when beautiful creatures like Eight Belles and Ruffian get put down due to their injuries, chills go through my body when I am at a track and see the strong bodies flying by. I still cry when I watch Secretariat at Belmont...absolutely beautiful, proud and so perfect. If you watch the movie Seabiscuit, it does portray a very accurate picture of how Seabiscuit inspired many lives in so many ways. For Big Brown's run for the crown, it was touching to hear Kent Desormeaux talk about how the wins had a positive effect on his cripled son Jacob. And as for the horse, it is "born in the blood," as Dan Fogelberg sang. Although there are some holes that need fixed in the industry, as any inductry, there is a tremendous amount of love in it for the horses and it produces a great happiness in the hearts of fans. Call the sport what you want, but I and many others would be truly heartbroken if racing was banned.

Posted by: Lori | July 11, 2008 07:17 PM

Yes Dave Knowledge is power.

You seem to think that none of us know anything about horses and we learned what we know from HBO.

Well, I can tell you that for me and others here is totally untrue.

I was raised on a farm in Maryland, we had horses.

I showed horses in Maryland for many years.

Was a member of the Maryland Pony Club.

I have worked in the barns of race horse owners, breeders, trainers etc.

I have spent lots of time in the stables at the track in both Delaware and Maryland during races. Spent lost of time with the jockeys too.
I do know horses and horse people.
So Dave when I speak I do know what I am talking about.

Have a great day,
Go Vegan.
and save the horses...

Thanks to all of you good people for planting seeds of knowledge and caring for our animal friends.
Keep up the good work, and keep talking about it...
awareness is power too...

Posted by: Holly | July 15, 2008 11:28 AM

Hypocrite alert! Holly, shame on you. Worked at a racetrack. Proves you do not practice what you preach. Obviously most peta members know little about horse racing. You know nothing about the role of crops, blinders, jockeys, trainers, medications...etc. I can tell by most of the posts. I feel sorry for any horses you cared for. You probably denied them pain medication because that's "unethical" and didn't use crops when needed, leaving them confused and rambunctious. And according to peta's "total animal liberation' policy, you should not be with horses at all. SHAME ON YOU!!!

Posted by: belle | July 16, 2008 06:34 PM

No Shame here belle,
I was never the lead person.

My parents thought we should earn our riding lessons and we did, as did my children.

We had pleasure horses on our farm. We did not show or race our horses.
I showed horses and ponies for other farms. I was a member of the Pony Club in my youth.

Our farm was a dairy farm, which is why of 7 children 6 of us are vegetarian/vegan today.

For my riding lessons,
I cleaned tack. Washed and groomed the horses for shows, and cleaned stalls, and when I had learned enough and rode well enough I showed pony’s and horses for other farms, in my youth.

I did not give meds. On our farm we had vet that came to the farm, and our hired hand gave meds, as did my father, not me, and on the other farms they had their own system for med giving, I was never involved in that.

I knew race horse people cus we lived on a farm and in Maryland there are lots of horse farms. So that’s who we hung out with.

My best friend’s father was an owner/trainer of one of the larger horse farms and I would go to the track with them and hang around.
I learned a lot there for sure. Got to hear all the talk...
I have seen the most happiness a person can see in those people over the years and I have seen the saddest of days too.
But we are not talking about the happy days here today and there are many for sure, we are talking about the great sadness also that happens as a result of horse raceing.

I have heard all of them talk about the glue factory when a horse did not race well, it was open conversation at in those barns, and on the porch after dinner with many of the owners, trainers and jockeys, and not just the ones I knew.

I saw trainers who were sad to tears when a horse they had spent so much time with had to move on and they all knew it would mean the slaughter house.
I spent years and years of summers and weekends at the track, in the barns, just hanging out, listening and learning from the owners, trainers and jockeys.
It was a great education I got from them all.

I learned that death was a very real part of the dairy farm, I lived on one.
and death was a very real part of the horse farms as well...

If you read all of my posts, about Horses, you will find that my problem is not as much with the race track (although I do think there are problems there, and I do think these horses are used and some abused for the greed of humans) as it is with the over population of horses and the end result being the slaughter house.

Because race horse owners over populate to get that one Great horse that shines on the race track.

Because of this very large overpopulation of horses, (as it is with cats and dogs) more horses must die, and most of these great horses end their lives in the slaughter houses.

Because some end up at auction and are bought by good intending people who really can’t afford to keep them, and the horses dont get good vet care, or food and some go back to auction and then slaughter.

( most race horses go from home to home after the race track, yet some go right to the slaughter house)
Also horses are slaughtered because the last owner of the horse often do not know how to care for an old used up horse, or cant afford the vet bills, and cant afford to dispose of the body of a horse that dies, so the horse is sent to auction and off to slaughter. It is convenient way of disposal.
and as stated in past posts, people loose their property in this bad economy and free their horses cus they dont want the horses to be sent to slaughter and they love them, and those horses starve to death.

The way I see it this is the worst possible thing that could happen to these great horses. Death in the slaughter house.

I dont think horse people are bad or uncaring, there are many good people who own horses, but it is rare to find one who truly lets their horses live out their natural lives in the pasture. And those who do have money and large hearts. We both know thats not the norm though.

Another thing I have noticed about horse owners and trainers who come to this blog, they do shut their eyes as tight as they can on the subject of slaughter house, at least in the old days horse owners, trainers and jockeys talked about it, even through tears they did not deny it as a reality as the end result of not just race horses, but all horses and pony's in most cases...

go vegan...

Posted by: Holly | July 17, 2008 01:41 PM

You should have at least have SOME understanding of a sport BEFORE you criticize it. While it is true that this particular horse did not like the starting gate TODAY, I can assure you he loves racing because he has a terrific record of success.

The starting gate is somewhat restricting and there are a handful of horses that don't particularly enjoy the experience just like many humans don't really like elevators or other tight closed situations.

Horses are schooled and taught that the gate is not dangerous and they will only be in it for a moment. Virtually all learn to relax and have no problem with the experience.

Once in awhile, one will get moody the way children and even adults do, but in no way is the horse harmed by the experience and I can assure you they love the race.

Posted by: W.C. | July 22, 2008 08:24 AM

Number one. You say this horse didn't want to run just because he was afraid of the gate correct? Well, look at it this way. We have our eyes on the front of our face. We see it, we don't care. No big deal. But a horses eyes are on the SIDE of their head, therefore, they see things differently. What looks like just a normal gate to us looks like a giant, hungry, arm-waving monster to the horse. It's no wonder Nite Light didn't want to go in. So you really can't use it as an excuse for 'he hates running'. No horse hates running. It's in their nature, something called fight or flight. The thoroughbred breed has taken this and focused on flight, but the horses are trained, not beated and abused, to run. We've all seen what happens to horses who are abused. They absolutely REFUSE to do anything, often becoming depressed, and many die, simply because they've given up on life. If these racehorses were 'abused' and forced to run, most would probably just up and quit eating, playing, and living in general. Horses are very intelligent animals, more so than we give them credit for. We tiny little 200 pound humans have pretty much no chance to make a 1000 lb animal with hard, hard feet do something they really don't want to do.

On the issue of the drugs and riding crops, most drugs are indeed illegal, and guess what happens to stupid, stupid people who use them? They are permamently banned from the sport, and the horses who were overdosed are barred from racing until they're under a trainer who has the ethical moral to train them legally. And for the whips, if you will notice, (go ahead. watch a race.) MOST JOCKEYS DON'T EVEN TOUCH THE HORSE. It's true. All they do is swing the whip to the side of the horse. There are jockeys who do use them, but it doesn't hurt the horse. It's kinda like getting whacked with a wiffle bat. The horse is trained that seeing the whip move means go faster. It's used only on the top of the stretch (the last part of the corner before the finish line). According to the regulations, it can only be used lightly, and if abuse is suspected, the jockey is suspended.

All this being said, there's still the issue of slaughter. Yes, racehorses get slaughtered. Yes, champion racehorses get slaughtered.
No, no horses are safe from it. Fortunately, the majority of the US slaughterhouses have been closed down due to heavy regulations on shipping and treatment of the animals. Those that are still open are now forced to treat the animals that come there, racehorse or not, humanely. But not every racehorse is slaughtered, though PETA seems to want us to believe this. State penitentiaries have begun to take in ex-racehorses, to rehabilitate the horses, as well as the inmates. Many horses go through racehorse owner funded training and rehabilitation programs and are then sold as trail horses, show horses, jumpers, dressage, and just pleasure horses. To go even further, many trainers, jockeys, etc. fall in love with the horses they work with and buy them off the owner IF the owner decides to sell. Many owners will never give up their racehorses simply because they love them too much.

In conclusion, I am going to admit that the horse-racing industry has some HUGE faults in it. Drugs should be made completely illegal, not just controlled. Training methods should be monitored by officials, instead of just being left up to the owner-trainer-jockey mix. Horses shouldn't be run until they are three years old and their legs are up to the mile. Yes, there are owners, jockeys, and trainers out there who only want money and could care less about the horses welfare, but they normally don't do well in races and are often shut down before they can do any major harm. There is nothing wrong with racing horses, and when the horse is treated right he will love doing it just as much as people love watching them. Most racehorses are treated incredibly well, with huge amounts of pasture, large, clean stalls, plenty of horse mates, and excellent care and treatment. I'm not trying to 'paint a pretty picture', mostly because it's true that racing has its ugly side. But instead of focusing on destroying a sport that has been around for centuries, why not just focus on cleaning it up?

Posted by: kat | August 6, 2008 06:03 PM

The horse is scared of the STARTING GATE, not of running!

Starting gate phobia is exceedingly common among race horses. And while I do admit that his phobia was handled incorrectly (by grabbing his ears they are causing association of the already frightening gate with pain), this proves nothing!

Posted by: Anonymous | August 9, 2008 05:13 PM

my thought's exactly. just because a horse won't go into the gate doesn't mean he hates racing. what about the horses who freak out when a bird flies up in front of them? looks awfully similar to me.

Posted by: kat | August 22, 2008 06:45 PM