I'm glad you specified that...
"Although these changes are better than no changes at all, horseracing is still a cruel industry, and it should be completely obliterated."

I hope PETA does not back off and continues to pursue the end of animals for entertainment, specifically horse racing. Go PETA!

Posted by: ian | September 26, 2008 11:10 AM

Unless KHRC is realizing its own obsolescence, they aren't recognizing that change is truly necessary. Unfortunately, no industry will voluntarily end itself. This may be an improvement in the welfare of racehorses, but it isn't any sort of step towards their freedom because their enslavement is the basis of the industry itself.

Don't proclaim victory until you win. Call it what it is: a moderate improvement in the lives of animals whose rights are still utterly unrecognized and violated.

Posted by: Ryan McReynolds | September 26, 2008 11:28 AM

They also need to stop sending the castoff horses to slaughter.

Posted by: kelly | September 26, 2008 01:49 PM

Thank you so much for helping save the racehorses, I have been resucuing them for years, and when they come to me it takes me many years to bring their health up to date! this makes me so happy, I wish that people would stop racing horses, they are meant to be in the wil, that is where they are most happy.

Posted by: Amanda | September 26, 2008 01:57 PM

A lot of groups were involved with this including 2 that I belong to. But nothing truly large happened until PETA became involved and had this giant protest that I wish I could have been involved with! This was nothing short of spectacular! PETA really shook people up! The owners, the trainers, the vets, the betters, the crowds! WOW!
Ryan, it is a VICTORY! Because we are one step closer! Now if we could boycott betting, that would be a complete VICTORY!
I have a good friend in Ohio who rescues racehorses from slaughter. I was able to visit online with her when she put up a web-cam in her barn. The barn she took me to was called the "detox barn". Never in my life have I seen such sorrow. 7 horses that were detoxing off of drugs, their heads hanging to the ground, 4 horses laying down with their noses dripping and their eyes watering. Some of the horses did not eat for days! The depression was absolutely horrific! Palpable! Never in my life will I ever be able to forget that! Don't just talk about it, get involved! Thanks PETA, I am a proud member!

Abolish Animal Slavery!
Most of my heroes wear masks!

Posted by: Judith FFFA | September 26, 2008 02:13 PM

This is a mild improvement - yes better than none at all. I still believe there should be no whips used at all. How would people like it if they were whipped to get moving? They would be outraged. Animals are no different in their feelings. They just can't express them the way that we can, so we have to do this for them.

Posted by: Amy S. | September 26, 2008 02:26 PM

This news make my day!

Posted by: Margarita | September 26, 2008 07:58 PM

Wonderful, but I was wondering if any thing good could happen for the poor greyhounds how are forced to race..

Posted by: Crystal | September 27, 2008 12:14 AM

I agree with these bans, but I still believe that Horse racing is NOT a cruel sport. But peta doesn't understand that you can't just let animals go running around and frolicking all day being all merry, because then what are we going to do with them? What would these horses do if the racing industry was banned? what would thousands of people have for jobs? thousands of men and women would be broke and have no job, and thousands of horses would have to be euthanized because of the ban. In addition, I have watched horseracing very,very closly for 6 years now, and I have only seen 3 injurys at the track that I go to. Does that sound horrible? yes The horses got hurt, and it was VERY sad, but in a total average, horses don't get injured that often. And now that people are putting Cushan track, and polytrack on some tracks it's even less. I'm going to be a trainer once I get old enough, and make sure I don't start training them till they are two, not one. That is far to yound, and that should be changed. But overall, do you think that Eight belles hated racing?? she won her last three starts before the derby, and came in second to big brown, against all the boys who are physically proven to be stonger that girls. It's a bad way to remember to say "Oh ya she was the horse that broke down in the derby, because the jockey over whipped her." thats not true at all. None of you have any idea how nice Larry jones is. Imet him and talked to him. And now he's retiring, because all the mean and cruel comments peta has put on him became to much. It's sad to see such a nice and good trainer who TRULEY loves his horses, retire because of you guys. Thats all I'm saying. I think some things should be banned, but not the sport entirely, because the sport is life for some people and the horses

Posted by: Danica | September 27, 2008 11:36 AM

If Danica believes racing isn't cruel she must also still believe in Santa. Listen closely, little one: Lots of people love crack. That does not make it good for them. Eight Belles likely did enjoy racing; that does not change the fact that racing and the people who made her run too young and pumped her full of drugs killed her. Real horse lovers wouldn't risk their lives that way; real horse lovers are the ones who rescue and rehab the ones the industry has f'ed up and they don't do things to contribute to the problem. Real horse lovers are working towards the day when all the tracks are shut down and every rotten person who is complicit in the abuse is out of business. As a result, thoroughbreds won't continue to be mass and irresponsibly reproduced, and the breed can return to some semblance of dignity at the hands of enthusiasts who still love them after all the money's gone. I wouldn't go into race training if I were you; if it's still around by the time you get that far you might wind up retiring pretty early....

Posted by: Elphaba | September 28, 2008 07:56 PM

Well said, Elphaba!! One of the two race tracks in the city where I am from "shut" down!! Peace will be restored for the peaceful, in this case the horses!!

Posted by: Carla | September 29, 2008 11:30 AM

Danica, I certainly hope you change your mind! You will be contributing to the death and destruction of many horses! People that have anything to do with horse racing has a very dark side to them! And a very dark soul! Hope you change your mind! You will be responsible for the deaths of so many innocent and beautiful souls! Stop living in a dream world!

Abolish Animal Slavery!
Most of my heroes wear masks!

Posted by: Judith FFFA | September 29, 2008 01:54 PM

I'm going to agree with Danica on this one. In Europe Drug abuse is banned on horses as well as whipping, instead whip waving is done. The american horses aren't allowed to race in europe due to the drug usage.

Posted by: Flint | September 29, 2008 04:26 PM

"In Europe Drug abuse is banned on horses as well as whipping, instead whip waving is done."

Whole lotta' nothing there. A superficial token drug ban is a separate issue from animal abuse and cruelty, such as you find in horse racing.

Posted by: vegancoin | September 29, 2008 09:42 PM

HORSES MADE TO RUN FOR HUMANS TO GAMBLE ON IS SLAVERY. GREYHOUNDS OR ANY OTHER ANIMALS THAT IS USED FOR HUMANS TO GAMBLE ON IS ALSO SLAVERY. WHY ? BECAUSE THOSE ANIMALS DIDN'T HAVE THE CHOICE TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELFS TO DO THIS FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES OR JUST EVEN FOR A SMALL PART OF THEIR LIVES. THE ANIMALS DIDN'T MAKE SAY "HEY , LET'S MAKE SOME MONEY FOR THESE HUMANS!" IT WAS THE HUMANS THAT SAID THAT. AND CHOSE THESE POOR ANIMALS TO DO IT WITH. I FEEL SO SAD FOR ANY ANIMAL OR HUMAN THAT IS BEING "USED" FOR SOMEONE'S ELSE'S GREED.

Posted by: SASHA | September 29, 2008 11:55 PM

The benifit for captive horses is that they are fed well, sheltered and are given medical care as well as hoof care by a farrier.

This is a horses payment for running races. It's a the same as a human job.

Posted by: Flint | September 30, 2008 10:58 AM

Horses love having owners, running, and some such, but racing them far beyond their limits and abusing their unconditional love and loyalty is a big no-no. I hadn't even thought about this issue before! -gives a big thumbs-up to PeTA-

Posted by: Hazel | September 30, 2008 02:43 PM

TO FLINT- YOU GOT IT ALL WRONG. IF YOU WANT AN ANIMAL YOU SHOULD HAVE ONE ONLY BECAUSE YOU LOVE THAT ANIMAL. NOT TO MAKE HIM OR HER RUN THEIR LEGS OFF UNTIL THEY BRAKE. OR SELL THEM FOR GLUE. IT'S SLAVERY,NOT A JOB!THEY(THEY ANIMALS)HAVE NO VOICE TO SAY NO,AND WHEN THEY DO ACT OUT TO SAY "NO" THEY ARE HURT. HOW DARE YOU SAY IT'S PAYMENT JUST LIKE A HUMAN JOB. AT LEAST US HUMANS CAN DECIDE TO QUIT A JOB. THE HORSE CAN'T. UNLESS YOU THINK GETTING KILLED FOR GLUE IS ALSO PAYMENT.

Posted by: SASHA | September 30, 2008 04:51 PM

"This is a horses payment for running races. It's a the same as a human job."

No you're wrong. There is no benefit for animals that are treated cruelly and forced to run in dangerous conditions and kept penned up in a small stall day after day, as some sort of showpiece for the owner. Horse racing is just a perverse form of human entertainment, is unbelievably cruel and is outdated, the animals are treated like slaves and are treated horribly and inhumanely. Witness the Eight Belles tragedy, or the over 100 thoroughbred racehorces that have been euthanized since then. And being fed well is debatable, but that still does not mean they are treated well. And being broken only to run at breakneck speed with someone constantly whipping and abusing the horse is not a job, it is a cruel form of punishment and animal abuse. As you can see this is one small step away from being a bloodsport.

Posted by: vegancoin | September 30, 2008 06:33 PM

VEGANCOIN- THANK YOU! YOU SAD IT BETTER! RIGHT ON!! THESE HORSES HAVE NO CHOICE,NO VOICE, TO SAY "NO".IT'S HUMAN GREED AND CONTROL THAT MAKE SOME MENBERS OF MANKIND TO HURT GOD'S ANIMALS.SO LET'S SPEAK UP LOUD AND CLEAR FOR THESE HORSES. FREE THEM AND LOVE THEM!!!!!

Posted by: SASHA | September 30, 2008 10:45 PM

vegancoin,

Yes, I suppose you haven't ever been to a racetrack to witness all the love and care that goes into racehorses. An armchair critic? That's perfectly fine, most activists are. I have been in the industry for over 30 years. Obviously I don't agree with all things that go on in horse racing; advancements can be made in the medical field etc.

But you must see that a thoroughbred is different from other horses. As lovely as it sounds to let them run free and in the wild, they wouldn't last long. They do not have very thick coats, and need blankets when it is cold or wet. They are very high strung and as a result shy and spook very often. You can't call horsemen and women cowards or losers because it takes great skill to handle a thoroughbred. It takes knowledge, desire, and a firm yet gentle voice and hand. Do you think we could go around beating the living daylights out of these beautiful horses without getting kicked, bitten, or trampled? Remember, these are 1200 pound animals.

Back to what I was saying; thoroughbreds easily shy; and run from anything that scares them. That is dangerous in cool weather when a horse is without a blanket or sheet, as they get very sweaty and frothy, and can become chilled quickly. And in the wild, there are more knots and holes, more opportunity for them to trip and injure themselves. They have simply become too used to humans to be able to live a life without them. Of course there are exeptions; but the majority need some basic care.

Being fed, sheltered, and most importantly, loved, is reward enough for these animals. Horses do not know the meaning of money, do not reason the way we do, and cannot understand the complex intricacies of morality or cruelty. They can only feel what they are given; whether that be cruelty or love. Thankfully, in horse racing, it IS love and care. The thoroughbreds I work with are so generous and beautiful. They are WILLING to work and run for me. Because I give them love, food, attention, kindness. For the others who treat their horses inhumanley, they are completely separated from the rest of us.

We could say all men are bad because some rape women; we could say all Iraqies are bad because some bomb innocent people. We could say all animal rights activists are bad because some bomb research buildings and destroy property. But that is wrong. So how can you blame all of horse racing for what some do? Some abuse their horses. Some pump their horses with drugs. Some whip their horses too hard. And we deal with those the way we deal with all other criminals. All horsemen and women are not criminals.

It is irrelevent to what sport you are in; whether it be horse racing, eventing, barrel racing, or just pleasure riding; love is LOVE. We love our horses the way the same way you love yours; but I'm guessing you don't own any horses the way you're talking. You'll see that the majority of horse lovers like horse racing, because they know horses. Most PETA members poo pooing horse racing probably never set foot on a track, or in a stirrup. Which is just too bad. You would see how much we love our horses if you'd just give it a try.

Posted by: Maria | October 1, 2008 07:10 PM

To anyone "in the industry" that posts here:

Ummmmmmmm,

How about you all stop with the super-book trend in breeding sires? Surely not every Storm Cat son/grandson/great-grandson needs to be bred??? There were already too many horses to be re-homed when sires bred 40 to 60 mares a year. Now it's a 100+. And how about a little genetic diversity...or is the American TB industry simply unable to find outcross bloodlines for producing precocious 2 years olds and multi-million dollar speculations on weanlings, yearlings and 2 year olds) these days?

Bah, this arm chair critic has seen enough just watching TV. The Thoroughbred industry needs to massively reform, get a sense of ethical responsibility or this money-making business of yours needs to go the way of slavery.

There's "nice people" everywhere - it doesn't mean the group as a whole is nice.

Posted by: Jenn | October 2, 2008 08:20 PM

TO MARIA--I HAVE BEEN TO THE HORSE RACES. I WILL NOT GO BACK- I SAW ABUSE! I'M GLAD YOU DO LOVE YOUR HORSE ( YOU HAVE HORSES?)ANYWAY, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THOSE WHO ABUSE HORSES. AND WHEN HUMANS "PICK OUT AN ANIMAL" TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF ( GAMBLE) THAT ANIMAL (HORSE) TO ME IS AT THE MERCY AND HARM OF THE HUMAN. THE FACTS ARE HUMANS HAVE ABUSED THE HORSES. YES, HORSES LOVE TO RUN-WHEN THEY WANT TO. AT THE RACES THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO RUN AND CAN'T STOP UNTIL THE RACE IS OVER, EVEN WHEN THEY ARE SICK. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE HORSE DOESN'T MAKE ANY MONEY? WE ALL KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT ONE. MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE SPEND THEIR MONEY TO SAVE THESE HORSES FROM BEING KILLED.THEY WERE ONCE APART OF THE HORSE RACING BUSINESS AND GOT OUT OF IT BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY WITNESSED. SO I HAVE TO SAY THAT AT PETA..WE ARE TELLING THE TRUTH AND JUST WANT TO PROTECT THE HORSES. AND KNOW ONE SHOULD BE UPSET ABOUT THAT.

Posted by: SASHA | October 3, 2008 12:28 AM

I never said all people in horse racing are nice. And unless you have been behind the scenes of horse racing; you don't know what happens. Most spectators don't go to the backside to see what is going on, they just sit in the stands and fume. Also, Sasha, if you pardon me noting this, what merit would there be to a sick horse running? None. If we were all in it for money, it would be worth it to run a healthy horse at the least. A stupid horseperson would run a sick horse. Have you ever watched a race and seen all the "scr" signs on the tote? That means the horse has been "scratched" that is...when a horse is taken out before a race because the trainer sees them unfit to do so. And the jockeys, god bless them, are smart enough to pull up a horse when they sense something is wrong. It's all part of being professional, sweetheart. The last thing we want for a horse is for them to be sent to a slaughter house. In fact, most Thoroughbreds are NOT sent to slaughter houses. Contrary to popular belief, most horses that are slaughtered are NOT thoroughbreds, but Quarter Horses. Thoroughbreds are very valuable; and most are retired. Now, most are not put out to a lush thousand acre pasture, of course. Most find homes in other sports; or find families who want a trail horse or a competition horse for eventing. I can’t say horse racing is perfect. Changes and advancements can be made, yes of course. I won’t say there aren’t abusers and horrible people. But the sport is absolutely not what PETA says it is. End of story.

PS Jenn: Yes, I agree that breeding trends are somewhat crazy. There should be some reform there. Calling horses "slaves" puts you to a bit of embarrasment, though, because we treat our horses pretty decently here. You must be looking at the wrong side of the fence. And alas, god bless you, if you say a group as a whole is not nice, look at your own organization. Filled with hypocrites, bigots, and mud slingers, unfortunately. Ruins a good cause, if you mind be saying so. The Horse racing industry as a whole is kind and honorable. We just need to fix the rotten "parts."

Posted by: maria | October 3, 2008 05:50 PM

I call bullshit maria, but of course we can all expect no less from a lying scumbag representative of a cruel and exploitative industry.

Posted by: Elphaba | October 4, 2008 01:21 AM

Hi Sasha,
I really like to read what you have to say, but did you know that typing in all caps is just like yelling? It also makes it far less likely that others will read your posts in their entirety, which would be a shame since you seem to be very dedicated and have so many great things to say. Maybe you could give it a try with the caps lock off?

Posted by: Elphaba | October 4, 2008 01:37 AM

HI ELPHABA- I'M SORRY I WRITE IN CAPS- I HAVE EXPLAINED WHY I DO THIS- I'M BLIND IN ONE EYE AND CAN'T SEE TO WELL IN THE OTHER. IT JUST MAKES IT EASY FOR ME TO TYPE AND READ BETTER.I WILL TRY HARDER NOT TO DO THIS,IT WILL JUST TAKE EVEN MORE TIME FOR ME TO WRITE. TO MARIA- AS I SAID BEFORE, I CAN TELL YOU LOVE HORSES,AND I AM GLAD YOU CARE ABOUT THEM,JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT I HAVE SEEN THE ABUSE, I'M NOT LUMPING YOU INTO THE "BAD" GROUP.NOT AT ALL.AND I KNOW YOU WOULD STOP THE ABUSE IF YOU SAW IT YOURSELF. NOTHING EVER PERSONAL AGAINST YOU.

Posted by: SASHA | October 5, 2008 08:05 PM

Hi Sasha,
I'm so sorry, I had no idea! That is a completely justifiable reason to use all caps and I would never have suggested otherwise if I had known, so please do whatever you have to do to speak up for the animals efficiently. Again, my sincere apologies!

Posted by: Elphaba | October 6, 2008 10:15 PM

While I do think that the horse racing industry does need to be cleaned up and become more regulated, I don't think it should be abolished. Thoroughbreds love to run, and there is no way to curb their enthusiasm or competitive nature when it comes to running.
I own an off the track Tb, and he usually wants to start off running as soon as he's in the arena. I also know the people who trained and owned him, and I know that they truly love and care for their horses. By saying that ALL TB trainers are in it for money is completely wrong. Yes, while it is true that some big racing barns may not care for there horses as they should, there are however,still many racing facilities that do love and care about their horses.
And while everyone is upset about the drugs that are given to racehorses, no one is looking at the fact that many of the TB's are inbred. The TB stud books have been closed, so they are are no longer allowing new bloodlines into the industry, which leads to less genetic variation and allowing more chances for horses to develope weaknesses in their immune systems and bone structure. Look at the anatomical differences in a Quarter Horse and a TB. The QH has a much sturdier build and better hooves. TBs have a much more fragile bone structure and thinner hooves.
However, now that QHs are also becoming more inbred, they are starting to look more and more similar to TBs.
If horse racing is banned, then other performance horse sports should be banned as well. Which includes Dressage, Barrel Racing, Cutting, Jumping etc.
I have two happy,healthy, spoiled horses who love to work and be ridden, and I know many horses who need more attention and exercise than they receive. Why not put more focus on them?

Posted by: Katie | November 9, 2008 02:43 PM