GasBuddy Blog

Message Forum - Read Message

Category: Other sports > Topics	Add to favorite topics Post New Topic

Author	Topic: Horse racing cruelty to animals	Topic is locked Back to Topics

SAVMOR Champion Author Colorado Posts:6,558 Points:1,419,690 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: May 3, 2008 3:59:01 PM Ignore SAVMOR Report Abuse Eight Belles had to be euthanized after placing second in the 2008 Kentucky Derby today because both of her ankles were shattered. In 2006 Barbero battled bravely for nearly nine months before being euthanized after breaking his leg in the 2006 Preakness. Are these thoroughbreds pushed too hard for this sport by owners and trainers? What is your opinion?

SAVMOR

Champion Author
Colorado

Posts:6,558
Points:1,419,690
Joined:Jun 2005

Message Posted: May 3, 2008 3:59:01 PM

Ignore SAVMOR Report Abuse

Eight Belles had to be euthanized after placing second in the 2008 Kentucky Derby today because both of her ankles were shattered. In 2006 Barbero battled bravely for nearly nine months before being euthanized after breaking his leg in the 2006 Preakness. Are these thoroughbreds pushed too hard for this sport by owners and trainers? What is your opinion?

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

duffer36 Champion Author Toledo Posts:8,537 Points:1,396,530 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2008 8:15:56 AM Ignore duffer36 Report Abuse Big Brown's trainer also said that he will forgo giving the horse his normal shot of the steroid Winstrol, which he normally gets once a month because the horse was "doing too good without it."
dakine Champion Author Orange County Posts:19,739 Points:3,617,625 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2008 6:34:39 AM Ignore dakine Report Abuse I'm hoping Big Brown wins today at Belmont and becomes the next triple crown winner.
SAVMOR Champion Author Colorado Posts:6,558 Points:1,419,690 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2008 4:57:30 AM Ignore SAVMOR Report Abuse Well Big Brown has a cracked hoof, but he will race at Belmont anyway hoping for the Triple Crown today." The American Association of Equine Practitioners defines a quarter crack as "a vertical crack in the hoof wall between the toe and the heel of the hoof." Big Brown's crack, approximately five-eighths of an inch long, is in the back of his left front hoof." When asked about the worst-case scenario, a spokesman said: "The horse is not in pain, and if he misses the race, it won't bother him. It would bother the human beings, but he wouldn't know he missed the race." He sounded upbeat despite the negative possibilities. from newsday.com
duffer36 Champion Author Toledo Posts:8,537 Points:1,396,530 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: May 17, 2008 9:53:18 PM Ignore duffer36 Report Abuse If you want to take on the idea of cruelty to race horses, take the crusade to Puerto Rico, where poor performing horses are routinely killed rather than taken care of for the rest of their lives. To the owners, it is far cheaper to be rid of the horse than to feed it for life.
pyndasky Champion Author Maryland Posts:10,139 Points:1,808,530 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: May 17, 2008 7:49:24 PM Ignore pyndasky Report Abuse No doubt, Thoroughbred Horse Racing is tough on the horses, however, I don't think it rises to the level of "cruelty", perhaps extremely risky for the horse, but I wouldn't call it "cruel". Clearly, there are some trainers and riders who utilize tactics which are harsh. However, the overwhelming majority of trainers and riders are extremely sensitive to the needs and capacity of their animal. The injuries to Barbaro and, most recently, Eight Belles were tragic, however, I've also seen horses break legs while turned out to pasture. Most certainly, race horses are extremely exploited, but so are other animals in the various "Kennel Shows", rodeos, even dressage competitions. Call it envious, but it can't be all bad to run your butt off, retire, and then get paid to "do the nasty" until you die. [Edited by: pyndasky at 5/17/2008 10:51:25 PM EST]
gastoll Champion Author San Diego Posts:24,593 Points:1,480,600 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: May 7, 2008 12:25:34 PM Ignore gastoll Report Abuse I agree, too many horses die in derbies and I also think that thoroughbreds are being pushed too hard.
SAVMOR Champion Author Colorado Posts:6,558 Points:1,419,690 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: May 5, 2008 3:18:09 PM Ignore SAVMOR Report Abuse But they still are whipped to run faster and whipping is definitely not being treated well. See www.msn.foxsports.com/horseracing and read Michael Rosenberg's article - Eight Belles' death shows dark side of horse racing. [Edited by: SAVMOR at 5/5/2008 6:19:12 PM EST]
duffer36 Champion Author Toledo Posts:8,537 Points:1,396,530 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: May 5, 2008 7:31:13 AM Ignore duffer36 Report Abuse My opinion is that anyone who thinks horse racing is cruelty to animals must be an idiot. These horses are cared for far better than they could ever expect in the wild, or for that matter, as a general farm horse. Many of these race horses are treated as though they were the owners and trainers child.