http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2015/06/07/doyel-american-pharoahs-win-obscures-deadly-secret/28659805/
This is also an issue I take with horse racing.
When money is involved it seems to not matter If horses drop like flies.
I've been told to appreciate the win for what it is. It's nothing when you're blinded by the reality of the industry.
Horses are a means to an end...the end being money.
https://www.thedodo.com/horse-racing-derby-kentucky-1121312856.html
"According to the Jockey Club Equine Injury Database, at least 583 thoroughbreds suffered fatalities within 72 hours of their races in 2014. And those are the deaths that are reported, Dane emphasizes. These numbers do not include fatalities endured during training, or non-thoroughbred horses. Nor do all tracks voluntarily participate in the database system."
"
Ferdinand's story
In fact, this was the fate of Ferdinand, winner of the 1986 Kentucky Derby and one of the most famous racing horses in history.
"As a racehorse, Ferdinand won eight of 29 starts and earned $3,777,978, retiring as what was then the fifth leading money winner of all time," reported one article. Ferdinand was also hailed as one of the top 10 Kentucky Derby performances of all time by the Sporting News).
But shockingly, after all his glory, his presumed fate was at a Japanese slaughterhouse in 2002. "
https://www.thedodo.com/young-racehorse-death-1190824902.html
So would you like to see show-jumping, 3-day eventing, dressage, Saddlebred shows, 4-H shows, harness racing, gaming, barrell racing, pole bending, renaissance fair jousting, polo all banned? Because I can tell you that ALL of these activities and sports have some bad players. Do you think it prudent to dissaprove of every sport involving horses? If it were up to you would you have every animal owner policed? And only to your standards?
ReplyDeleteWell said. It seems to me that Meredith has plunged into the animal rights world, which is great, but it means she ought to stop thinking about ever working on a farm because that is exploitation of animals to the max. Horse racing does have it's down side, but absolutely no one forces anyone to race any horse.
DeleteAside from harness racing, those other disciplines are just starting their horses under saddle at 3 year's old...not retiring them.
DeleteThe corruption and animal cruelty where gambling is involved far surpasses that of people who want a blue ribbon (aside from saddlebreds) faster jumpers time or higher dressage score.
What stats can you provide on horse deaths as a direct result of the dressage discipline?
...there might be a few bad apples but it's not the industry standard.
Example:
Sandy Lerner owner of Ayrshire Farm over drove her shires at a pleasure drive (shires are not built for distance especially in hot temperatures) resulting in the death of horses. As long as animals can be taken advantage of and abused they will be...industries such as horse racing exist to exploit horses for financial benefit.
Absolutely no one forces anyone to race a horse?
DeleteThat doesn't make sense.
Absolutely no one forces anyone to race a horse?
DeleteThat doesn't make sense.
I've read this blog for over a year and it's seemed pretty apparent that this blog has always been focused on animal welfare. When we dive into JW's bullshit (don't even get me started on the puppy), Meredith only involves herself in the comments relevant to animal welfare.
DeleteReferring to the PETA talk below, PETA is in the business of political shock and celebrity culture manipulation. Would I buy fur? No. But if they really wanted to spread a broad scope message and save the most animals, they would set their sights and dollars on commercial pork and beef and fight for reform. THEN work down to luxury and fringe items that few can afford, let alone even want.
Horse racing is the only industry that starts riding as yearlings. The damage this kind of training does to the horses' legs is unbelievable. Most other industries at least wait until the horses are two, ideally, 3. You'd better believe there are atrocious training practices in other industries, but for sheer numbers, the horse race industry is no better than a factory farm.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Comparing horse racing to 4-h shows or pony rise can't be done. The only similarity is they involve horses.
DeleteWorking with animals doesn't equate to exploitation and it shouldn't.
Exploitation isn't the only way to farm.
That mindset is the exact thought process I take issue with.
The mindset the animal husbandry and humane treatment is a thing of the past and the only way to farm is through denying animals the right to act as their individual breed intends while instilling fear of humans and absolutely over looking their needs.
Exactly. Comparing horse racing to 4-h shows or pony rise can't be done. The only similarity is they involve horses.
DeleteWorking with animals doesn't equate to exploitation and it shouldn't.
Exploitation isn't the only way to farm.
That mindset is the exact thought process I take issue with.
The mindset the animal husbandry and humane treatment is a thing of the past and the only way to farm is through denying animals the right to act as their individual breed intends while instilling fear of humans and absolutely over looking their needs.
Btw I haven't just plunged into animal rights, it's been engrained in my spirit since birth.
ReplyDeleteBtw I haven't just plunged into animal rights, it's been engrained in my spirit since birth.
ReplyDeleteSo are you affiliated with PETA and HSUS?
Deletefrom anon 1:02pm
PETA does more harm than good. I'm undecided on HSUS. I don't support either of them nor am I affiliated with any animal rights organization.
DeleteThere are many many many horse people of various types who start horses when they aren't two yet, and some of them have been involved in 4H or have children in 4H. I've known of barrel horses, gaited horses, western pleasure, driving, arabians, and on and on and on. I've also personally known of several horses killed in training for western pleasure. Aside from the endless drugs, they bleed them (stick a needle into a vein in their neck and let the blood drain into a bucket or drain so they'll become anemic and quieter) hang them (tie their heads up and leave them for hours so they're too tired to hold their head up) beat them on the neck until the neck muscles are bruised. That's just a start, then there's rollkur in dressage, bitting rigs and soring in gaited horses, many endurance horses die every year. I don't approve of some things they do in racing, but I don't believe they are alone when it comes to being cruel to horses.
ReplyDeleteI agree there are bad apples in every animal related industry but in horse racing the industry us built around the animals welfare being secondary to earning potential.
DeleteThe act if racing that young in irresponsible.
I have friends that breed and race TBs, I basically spent year's of my childhood on a farm with standardbreds...I never witnessed violence towards the horses, I just think the physical demand on the horses is not taking their long term well-being in mind...or short term for those who don't live past their racing years.
I agree there are bad apples in every animal related industry but in horse racing the industry us built around the animals welfare being secondary to earning potential.
DeleteThe act if racing that young in irresponsible.
I have friends that breed and race TBs, I basically spent year's of my childhood on a farm with standardbreds...I never witnessed violence towards the horses, I just think the physical demand on the horses is not taking their long term well-being in mind...or short term for those who don't live past their racing years.
It's true, horses are started far too early in horse racing, much more so than any other equine sport as far as I know. Not good for growing tendons, muscles and bones. And I think the injury statistics bear that out.
ReplyDelete