Oct09
They Would Beat a Dead Horse
Posted at 04:47 PM | Permalink
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Comments (12)
What's more important to the racing industry: horses or money?
If you thought horses, we've found two recent news stories that will change your mind.
Consider this: Thanks to a lawsuit involving the co-owners of former Kentucky Derby favorite I Want Revenge, it's become even clearer how often horses used in the racing industry are dangerously overmedicated. Horses are given anti-inflammatory steroids and painkillers to keep them running even after they've been injured—and of 20 trainers interviewed by The New York Times, only three were willing to turn over their veterinary records.
The New York Times also reports, "[T]here is a consensus among equine researchers and surgeons that legal medications and cortisone shots, over time, leave a horse vulnerable to a catastrophic breakdown."
In other words, even the legal drugs that the racing industry pumps into horses make horrific incidents like the one at last year's Kentucky Derby more likely. This is what PETA has been saying since Eight Belles crashed to the track with two broken ankles in the 2008 Kentucky Derby.
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Meanwhile, ESPN reports that the owners of Lava Man—a famous horse forced to "retire" early because of injuries—are trying to squeeze a few more bucks out of the old fella by bringing him back onto the track. According to ESPN, because of his previous injuries, Lava Man is at great risk of suffering a catastrophic breakdown on the track and says that while "[n]ot a single national media outlet will cover Lava Man's comeback race," "every single one would cover a disastrous outcome. … Pick your letters: ESPN, NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, or, worse yet, PETA."
Darn skippy.
Time after time, the racing industry risks animals' lives for an extra dollar. Forget the finish line—it's all about the bottom line.
Posted by Amanda Schinke
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Comments
It's high time for exploitive, inhumane and haughty horse racing to be outlawed.
Posted by: Brien Comerford | October 9, 2009 07:47 PM
Ditto!! It is not about the finish line, it's ALL about the bottom line. That is the sad truth across the line.
Posted by: .Susie | October 9, 2009 08:56 PM
Please join me in taking a moment on behalf of Lava Man to contact the CHRB Board of Directors, http://www.chrb.ca.gov/board_members.htm
Equine Medical Director Dr. Rick Arthur, and Director of Public Relations Mike Marten
http://www.chrb.ca.gov/staff_directory.htm
You can also contact O'Neill Racing
http://www.chrb.ca.gov/staff_directory.htm
Posted by: nh | October 9, 2009 09:20 PM
These types of people don't care about animals,they believe in their own lies,that this is acceptable,that these are only animals and have been put on this earth to be abused and used and killed and torchered.Money is truly the root of all evil in these types of cases.These are damaged people free to use and abuse animals in any way they can.People should be ashamed to show their faces,to those of us who know what they are doing is wrong.Our laws and law makers are just as bloody sick also. People who go to these activities are just as to blame!These people should be sent to research and find out what makes them so..shelfish and mean.
Posted by: darla hill | October 11, 2009 03:39 PM
Horses are such graceful and kind creatures. They really don't deserve any of this torture that people put on them just to make some cash. PLEASE KEEP FIGHTING for this cause PETA. Horses everywhere are in pain :(
Posted by: Michele | October 11, 2009 08:53 PM
Here in England, Animal Aid is threatening to take legal action against the owner and trainer of a racehorse that has twice collasped and needed oxygen at the end of a race, I think one was our notorious Grand National. They said they,d do it if the horse raced again so hopefully they,ve forced them to " retire " the horse. Hopefully he,ll be retired to a place where he can enjoy the rest of his life and not sent to a premature end at a slaughter house!I appreciate our laws are different but couldnt Peta do something like that in this instance?
Posted by: Kathleen Smith | October 12, 2009 07:41 AM
Here in England, Animal Aid is threatening to take legal action against the owner and trainer of a racehorse that has twice collasped and needed oxygen at the end of a race, I think one was our notorious Grand National. They said they,d do it if the horse raced again so hopefully they,ve forced them to " retire " the horse. Hopefully he,ll be retired to a place where he can enjoy the rest of his life and not sent to a premature end at a slaughter house!I appreciate our laws are different but couldnt Peta do something like that in this instance?
Posted by: Kathleen Smith | October 12, 2009 07:41 AM
As someone who spent 10 years working in the racing indusrty I can catigorically state that I think it is the most in humane of the equestrian sports. Unlike other horse realtd sports racing has huge amounts of money riding on it which means that horses are pushed beyond capabilities at any cost. IN Eventing or Show jumping for instance a horses owner and /or rider are more keen to keep a horse going for another day, they will pull a hors that "dosn't feel right" out of a competition rather than risk ingury to the horse.
During my time in racing I saw horses doped, operated on, illegally "fired", given "tubes" in their throats to help them breath better. The lads and lasses who looked after these horses were discouraged from forming "attatchments" to their charges and so often traeted them as you would factory farm animals.
In my younth I worked in many equestrian disceplins and it was racing that left me with the most bitter taste in my mouth.
Posted by: ACarLessFamily | October 12, 2009 01:16 PM
i AM VERY UPSET TO SEE THAT RACE HORSE OWNERS ARE STILL RISKING A BEAUTIFULL ANIMALS LIFE FOR A FEW BUCKS ,SINCE THE TRAGEDY OF EIGHT BELLS, THE WORLD IS WATCHING AND MANY PEOPLE ARE VERY AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON , SO WE ARE WATCHING
Posted by: sheila gersmann | October 12, 2009 10:01 PM
And in South Africa, people are lobbying for the legalisation of dog racing now. Seems we are taking a step backwards on this one.
Posted by: Andrew Sprawson | October 13, 2009 04:04 AM
this is HORRIBLE...i ride horses myself they are gracefull,intellegent and so much more... we cannot let this animals race anylonger and suffer anymore!!!!!!
Posted by: lindsey | October 14, 2009 03:01 PM
I have been riding the same horse for 23 years, we are friends, the horse race industry is all about money. there are no old race horses, they don't last the abuse they suffer, but always will to run. to please, say a prayer for them and the people who love them for what they are.
Posted by: Anne Speakman | October 18, 2009 12:34 PM