PETA is completely against horse racing in any form. It is their job to take the extremist role so that it calls attention to their stance. Don't take them so literally- they're so extremist that few people in power ever do.
PETA is completely against horse racing in any form. It is their job to take the extremist role so that it calls attention to their stance. Don't take them so literally- they're so extremist that few people in power ever do.
If the jockey knew that the horse was in severe pain and kept racing anyway, they have a point and I agree with them; but I don't think this is the case, and he probably wasn't aware of the injury until the horse collapsed. I don't think we have enough facts yet to make a judgement here.
I agree that the PETA folks often go off the deep end, but I don't condone cruelty to animals for the purpose of sport. I'll eat 'em, wear 'em, and test drugs on 'em, but won't be entertained by cruelty to them like bullfights, cock or dog fights, or inhumane circuses and zoos.
I know that it's best for the horse to be put down in that situation, but it still breaks my heart. Champ and Elisa, I have a question - are these animals too overbred? Horses already seem like genetic freaks, since they have those strong bodies and such thin legs. With racing horses, the bodies are even bigger and the legs are even lighter. Last year, several horses had to be put down at Arlington, just outside Chicago. Officials kept checking out the track, and I thought, shouldn't they be checking out the horses? Are they getting to be too strong and powerful for their own health?
They breed for the characteristics that make them faster, such as a big heart(literally, Secretariat's heart was FRICKIN' huge), big nostrils for breathing, and obviously things like long legs and lean, but strong.
If you have ever seen a horse running in slow motion it is amazing. Look at this picture and imagine the pressure, weight, etc on the leg as a horse is going full speed!
That also contributes to the injuries, especially in an animal that is basically a teenager.
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I will smash your face into a car windshield and then take your mother, Dorothy Mantooth, out to a nice seafood dinner and never call her again!
Tell me about it, this morning, I woke up and I shit a squirrel, but what I can't get is the damn thing is still alive. So now, I've got a shit covered squirrel running around my office and I don't know what to name it.
Well, that's the thing that I'm wondering. If you are breeding something in a way that it is likely to be injury prone, isn't that cruel? Honestly Champ, the way I learned my numbers was by reading racing sheets with my grandfather. I have seen hundreds of races, and it is amazing and beautiful and all that. But at what cost?
First off, let me say I'm not going to try to start a discussion about PETA.
I understand they feel they need to take an extreme position on anything animal-related, but they are seen as a bunch of crazies by most people and in the end that's what hurts their credibility and hurts their chances to further their causes.
As Spider said, I'd be for the suspension if the jockey pushed the horse knowing he was hurt, but as Elisa mentioned, the jockeys form bonds with the horses and I have a hard time believing he'd do that, especially at this level.
Anyway, if you read the article, it seems like PETA doesn't care if the jockey knew the horse was injured or not: "What we really want to know, did he feel anything along the way?" PETA spokeswoman Kathy Guillermo said. "If he didn't then we can probably blame the fact that they're allowed to whip the horses mercilessly."
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
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[Wrestling] did nothing for comedy except for when I slammed people and thought it was funny. -Gerald Harris
Well, that's the thing that I'm wondering. If you are breeding something in a way that it is likely to be injury prone, isn't that cruel? Honestly Champ, the way I learned my numbers was by reading racing sheets with my grandfather. I have seen hundreds of races, and it is amazing and beautiful and all that. But at what cost?
A lot of the problems would be reduced if they started them racing as 3-year olds instead of 2-year olds. These horses need that extra year to help mature.
__________________
I will smash your face into a car windshield and then take your mother, Dorothy Mantooth, out to a nice seafood dinner and never call her again!
Tell me about it, this morning, I woke up and I shit a squirrel, but what I can't get is the damn thing is still alive. So now, I've got a shit covered squirrel running around my office and I don't know what to name it.
There was one news clip that showed Eiight Belles going down. I only caught a glimpse because I was watching the horse in the center, behind Big Brown and not the 3rd horse to the very right of the screen which was EB. I've hunted around for a clip of it to see here just prior to the collapse. There were no other horses within 20 feet of her.
I'm curious to know how she blew out both ankles on a slow trot. I can't help but think that there was a cardio problem which took her down and the weight of the collpse pressured the ankles. On the other hand they say she was a spirited horse, so maybe she just got a little ornery and tried to stop suddenly. Any way, that clip of her going down could provide a good indication.
__________________
I will smash your face into a car windshield and then take your mother, Dorothy Mantooth, out to a nice seafood dinner and never call her again!
Tell me about it, this morning, I woke up and I shit a squirrel, but what I can't get is the damn thing is still alive. So now, I've got a shit covered squirrel running around my office and I don't know what to name it.
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