Does horse racing edge on the side of cruelty?
I recently discussed my opinion on the detriments of intervening with a pregnant mare. This may edge on unconscious cruelty or just an oversight (or stupidity) by the owner.
How about horse racing? With the recent 2007 Kentucky Derby over, I am reminded that we never hear many horror stories of the broken down and discarded 2, 3 or 4 yr old horses that are no longer strong enough or fast enough to make money for their owners. In Texas alone, where there are five licensed tracks, vets have euthanized or documented the deaths of 300 horses in the past five years. Â
“Usually (after) the animals broke ankles, legs or even spinal cords during races, according to the agency’s database of horse injuries”, Â the San Antonio Express-News reports. This is a distressing and informative article.
We know that it goes on and we all are familiar with the Barabro story but it isn’t publicized regularly. Is the racing industry guilty of inhuman intervention and cruelty to horses by racing them young, breaking bones and lives and feeding them up to grow more rapidly?
 Sarah
May 28th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Hi,
I was searching for a few good Horse Racing Blogs over the net, and thankfully came across yours.
Since, this blog is entirely decdicted to horses, thought of dropping in a line or two on the upcoming Derby here in the UK.
The Epsom Derby, which is considered to be one of the most prestigious flat thoroughbred horse races in the world is one of the most iconic events in the British sporting and social calendar. It will take place, this week, at the Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surry, England.
I’ve been covering the latest news and tips on the Derby at my website - http://www.jumpingjockey.com
For the 2006 Epsom Derby Video please visit http://www.jumpingjockey.blogspot.com
Regards,
JJ.
October 27th, 2007 at 6:10 am
Its not the jockeys, its the owners, the Sultan of Oman is the worst for cruelty, check out http://www.royalcourtofaffairs.com you’ll see the killing fields.
October 29th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
This is horrifying. I wonder has anybody else heard of this cruelty in the racing industry at this particular establishment?
Why isn’t anybody listening?
Sarah
November 28th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
You have no idea what your talking about, you take this so out of what it really is, Horse Racing is not animal cruelty its not even close, if it were cruelty to horses then they would have made it illegal in the United States, go look up the other side of the horse racing businuss that you don’t see before you rant about something.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:04 am
Horse racing is cruel! They start the horses too young, giving them aches and pains and a shorter life span. The horses often die in races as they get too hurt to ever move again with things like blow out knees and broken limbs. Some even die due to working too hard during a race and their heart or lungs explode! Even more dreadful, some over competitive racers may even KILL the horse after he/she loses a race by shooting it, stabbing it, or even hanging it. It is a cruel sport and NEEDS to stop!