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