I don't follow horse racing at all, but of the races I have watched, I've seen too many horses break their legs and die. Two of the past three Kentucky Derbys have ended with horses dying from broken legs. That makes me informed enough to disapprove of horse racing.

I actually have to agree with you! Although I've probably watched my last Derby because I just can't bear to see what happened again :(
I'm an avid horse fan but like with any sport comes injuries and unfortunately death it's part of life. Some that have never seen these horse farms OMG the beauty and the care these horses are in! If only I could live in such an enormous beautiful facility! I use to Barrel Race and with anything physically to do with running being it human or animal tragedy happens! My horses were well taken care of and fortunately I had more injuries from barrel racing than my horses. I do, however, believe that young horses need to mature first before being put on the track due to their legs not matured yet. I never started a barrel horse with hard training until they were 4 years old. Light ground work was done at 2 1/2 and 3. But if bred correctly too with a horse can come greatness....like with dogs and horses it's the owners, trainers that have to have the animal as top priority and in most cases you are going to have those few that do things they shouldn't and that's the same with BREEDING YORKIES!!! It's the care you put into the animal and the well being...with that said LOL...I still love to watch a GREAT horse run but I have probably watched my last race...

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

Peoples show dogs are not kept in crates 24/7. The cruelest thing about horse racing is that they run the crap out of young horses and give them lasix to stop the lungs from bleeding. All of this before the horse is even full grown. The muscular skeltal system is not even completely formed before they are comanded to run and run annd run. Too bad the "filly with the guts to run with the big boys" ran her last race on earth. Why?? Because of $$$.
I am not against horse racing but I am against cruelty to these beautiful horses all in the name of greed. And the horses that cant race or are too slow are taken to the slaughter house. I dont believe that the top dog show people take their puppies that are not show quality to the slaughter house.I think that they are placed in pet homes.

Ummm I have to disagree with people not keeping their show dogs in crates 24/7 I KNOW SOME THAT DO and they are TOP SHOW BREEDERS :(

I know people who own race horses and the ones that aren't up for the race are not taken to the slaughter house, some are sold for breeding purposes, as brood mares, stallions ect...you don't put down a very good pedigreed horse just because they can't run you use them in other ways....and they are also sold to homes for riding...
Donna

Yeah but they live in such beautiful stables.:p

Well I must not be hanging around the right people!! I have worked for a few handlers and know alot of breeders and their dogs are never kept crated all of the time. Usually only on show days and it is still not for the entire day. I think it is cruel to have a dog in a small crate 24/7.
Alot of the race horses are put to slaughter. And, yes, the ones with the great pedigrees are kept for breeding and some are even sold to the public. I had a thorobred that had done alot of winning at Aqueduct and was 12 when I got him. He was magnificent!! I have ridden alot of horses, mostly quarter horses. None of them compared to the power underneath you on the thorobred.
But just as greyhounds that cant run are killed, so are thorobreds. thats the sad part about the business.

LOL!! Where is my golden manure rake??

I believe that horse racing is just as hot of a topic for any animal lover as anything else we explore and debate about here on yt. We are all going to have differing opinions about what is right or wrong, just or unjust, cruel or tolerable and that is how it will always be.

Let's just try not to chew each others faces off in the process~

Thanks

LOL ....I did see a little munching ! ....I had to laugh at the way you put it.....:D

That is probably the hardest part to swallow...that it is a Business. I suppose it brings up a lot of emotions for people who don't see animals as a business opportunity, but as members of their families or as creatures with souls. In an ideal world, at least for me, animals wouldn't be harmed for sport, dog-fighting would be nonexistent and animals wouldn't be tortured and destroyed just to be put on someone's dinner table. I think that when something becomes visible...like Eight Belles having to be euthenized right there for all to see, it cannot help but raise emotions and concern for these beautiful animals and raise questions as to why something like that could happen. I know that it made me take a closer look at what goes on behind the scenes of horse racing. I appreciate everyone here for supplying information and their thoughts.

:rip: Eight Belles

Yeah, I've got a bit of indigestion and it really wasn't worth the calories.:p You are too funny girl!

How many people have had the opportunity to visit the "behind the scenes" at tracks, stables, and the training farms? I can't say a lot because my personal experience is limited, but what I do have is first hand real life behind the scenes and not from the opinion made from the appearances of what appears to be well cared for horses and luxurious barns and beautifully well manicured pastures.


I would not argue that race horses generally get the best of grains, hays, and vet care. They are also started in training around 18 months - which is where a large part of the problems occur - horses don't mature until they are between 5 and 6 years of age. Had this magnificient filly been allowed to mature BEFORE she was trained and asked to run against the boys then perhaps she would have had the opportunity to win and live out her life as a happy life as a brood mare and produce great colts and fillies to carry on her name. As it is, her ankles gave out - and she was killed.

We haven't even begun to touch on the injury and loss of human life in the form of trainers, exercise boys and jockeys. If anyone has any doubt, try to find the video called "Jockey" - HBO: Jockey - Synopsis

munch munch......burp

Faces have calories ? :eek:

sorry.....couldn't resist.

Jockey ?? Is it going to make us cry ?.....

I think alot of the country is going to wake up to the perils of horse racing but I don't see it stopping ....it's too big of a business - like Puppy mills :(:(

we get outraged but it seems a catastrophie has to happen before anyone really does anything....the loss of 2 horses in THREE derbys is to me, a catastrophie....but the race horse world is probably looking more at it as a chance you take.

Nice to see you standing your ground Dee....

I am also with simonandhallie... we will all never agree to disagree... it is just the way it is on many issue's.

Please everyone.. what happened is terribe I have always loved horses.. but gee don't treat others badly for their point of views..

anne

Donna, one of the most beautiful sights you will ever see is flying into Bluegrass Airport into Lexington. Beautiful white fences and pastures just full of stunning race horses on both sides as far as the eye can see. The second most beautiful thing you will ever see is one of those beautiful race horses coming down the back strecth with their long legs out in front of them and the sun shining off their beautiful coats. It is an awesome site to see. I have never even been to the Ky. Derby having been born and bred here. I have never been to any races at all and only watch the Derby. It is our big tradition here and you have the best view from the couch in front of the TV.:) You can bet that when those people pay half a million dollars and up, that horse has the best of everything.

I love the way you "direct". :thumbup::D

JMO and says nothing about this particular horse's owners and handlers:
I have very limited experience in horse racing. Did go to a few with my father in law. The "theory" behind racing, to me, seems genuine. These horses love to run. They are bred for that characteristic. Many of them are most likely happiest when running. Many of them (but like with all animals, not all) are well cared for.

But I do have experience with drag racing and other forms of racing. Like in all sports, the living organism - competition - creates the environment. Car racers work night and day to figure out how to make their cars go faster, be more powerful, or how to come up with a "secret" (legal and safe or not) to trump the other racers. The problem that I have with horse and dog races (aside from the obvious concern of what happens to them after their careers) is that humans are making those decisions and program changes not on a high performance machine - but on a living breathing animal.

So while maybe the concept of animal racing may be fine for many of those animals that revel in it, in this day and age, perhaps we as a human race have tarnished it to a point that it isn't right.

You are behind. Lasix and drug use of any kind in a racehorse is illegal and has been for a few years. The horses are checked routinely to see if they have any illegal substance in their blood stream and Yes, I know some TOP show people that do crate their dogs 24/7. AND it isn't a huge crate like I use for my gals in heat. Most of them are kept in stacked crates about the size of a rabbit pen.

Our thorobreds in KY don't end up in the slaughter house. That is old also. Laws have been changed. BTW, I love Nascar too.

Thanks Annie, I had to take a stand because I AM the only one that started a thread before the race yesterday and made those very comments about not betting or drinking but loved the race. So it was a direct slam to me. yes, it is extremely sad what happened yesterday but you know what, most people weren't even aware of it unless they were watching tv. it would be hard to find anyone here in Ky that doesn't love the Derby and judging from the tens of thousands of people from around the world that attend the whole week here, Many many people love it. heck, Howard even brought a few of his Playmates" in this year.:p

Too late to edit, so just let me add:

After reading some of Sugar's Mom's additional info regarding the laws and such, perhaps my last sentence shouldn't be that "it isn't right" but that it needs even more attention. I am not well-versed in the sport, so I don't want to mis- or over-speak. But I have always worried about the "human" and sometimes flawed components of all animal sports.

Actually, my ex husband ( I was actually married to him when he did) worked on a race horse farm and I've been behind the scenes several times. Been to Louisana Downs and the track in New Orleans and worked in the barn getting them ready and I've been around horses all my life :) I'm not arguing or munching any one's face LOL...and I've been around some FABALOUS horse farms "behind the scenes" and the horses live better than I do. Unfortunately in all animal competitions you are going to have bad people. While I don't disagree that the young horses are started way too soon and while I also agree they shouldn't be running so young it's the way it is unfortunately. I however, believe that horses are strong animals and are magnificant and wonderful creatures! I've rode barrel horses most of my life and unfortunately I've seen some break down way before their time also.
It's not just horse racing it's also in rodeos like roping, barrel racing and then you have equsitirian (can't spell the word) as in jumping over fences...it's not just horse racing where animals can get hurt but it's a sport and accidents do happen it's part of life :(
But most of these horses are well taken care of....and like Dee said....lots of new rules involve all these sports like the steriods and lasix issue.
But, like I said again, I've probably watched my last race. But nothing more beautiful seeing a magnificant animal running with the wind...
Donna

I wonder what they do with all of the colts, fillies, older horses, injured horses, etc that dont make the cut?? I am sure that there are not enough pet homes to take in injured horses off the track to go around. Maybe they just come out west and turn them loose kind of what they do to the greyhounds that dont make the cut. Lasix and Bute are still being used behind the scenes.

We have a special racehorse (or thorobred) rescue here. yes I am sure illegal drugs are used by a few but the law has made fine examples of those that had the misfortune to get caught. It means jail time, huge multimillion dollar fines and loss of racing and studding privileges. being the horse capital of the world here, we have some very strict laws and rules.

Well with the colts and fillies I'm sure they go to someone that wants a horse for riding? Also alot of race horses that don't make the cut for racing go to those that jump, dressage, barrel racing ect...older horses are put to pasture and are used for riding to excerise the ones that do race and also used for a pasture buddy for young colts and fillies...and injured horses well some unfortunately have to be put down or they are given to a rescue ect...so many things you can do with horses that aren't cut out for racing that come from race farms...

Lots of things are done illegaly and that's with every form of competition even in the dog show world....

Donna

I worked in the HorseRacing industry when i first left school...I worked for the trainer who trained a very famous racehorse here in the UK..Desert Orchid.
I loved working with the horses and the horses that i took care of i treated like my own..i enjoyed taking them to the races, one of the horses I took care of ran in the Grand National..i can't say that i enjoyed watching the race though as i was terrified that something would happen to him, i loved him like my own horse..at that age (16-19) i didn't think about what happened to the horses once they had finished racing and now i am older and wiser i have looked into it more...alot more is being done for these horses now than ever before thankfully..and i do agree that these young horses are doing too much too soon:(..as much as i enjoyed my time in racing..especially being around the horses..it's not something i would do again..i'm much more into animal welfare now..i don't regret my time in horseracing..it was an experience i will never forget.
This is one of many facilities helping Ex-racehorses...Racehorse Rehoming

We have special adoption groups for greyhound also but it doesnt adopt out every greyhound and most are not brought to them, they are distroyed. Same with the thoroughbreds. A small percentage are adopted out, some are used for breeding, but alot are taken to slaughter outside of the U.S., in Canada and Mexico. I dont believe the U.S. has horse slaughter houses anymore. Alot of the horse meat is sold to France.

Maybe if Kentucky is such a lawful state and are really concerned about the horses, they would pass a law to prohibit the racing of young colts and fillies until they are at least 5 years old. But this would cost the breeders $$$$$$$.
I think that Eight Belles was a horrible bad accident. There are alot of horrible accidents in horse racing and other equine events with the horses and the riders. This is nothing new. I just dont think its right to push a young horse so hard so fast in order to make a buck.

Donna --
I respect your right to your opinions. I believe that you have based your opinions on your personal experiences, just as I have come to my conclusions on my own personal experiences.

During the time I was contemplating putting my Three Bars Granddaughter on the track, I talked to trainers and to owners of horses that had been "run". I took all the informaltion I learned from trainers and owners and decided that it wasn't worth the risk. It didn't take me very long to realize that the trainers were more interested in $$ than they were in the health and well-being of my filly.

Just wanted to add..when i left school i did my training here in the UK at the home of horseracing in Newmarket, Suffolk..I went to the British Racing School where stable staff are trained for the horseracing industry..we were taught to ride on Ex-Racehorses..alot of them were donated to the school after finishing their racing careers.

OK, I must be wrong. I guess every single thorobred off the track and breeding farms are adopted out. Silly me.