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Post by Black Jewel on May 13, 2008 20:08:00 GMT -8
This has been a hot topic because of Eight Belles. Shall we discuss it?
I love horse racing but I also cry for days on end when a horse has to be euthanized, the ugly side. In my opinion, horse racing shouldn't be stopped. It exciting, thrilling, and Thoroughbreds LOVE to run. They can tell when they win, and they just seem so happy. It is good races like those that keep me watching them.
Then there is the ugly side, of horses breaking down. This happens a lot, but only in American racing. In British racing, there isn't the 'need for speed,' but more for skill.
A lot of the Eight Belles story was exagerated, but a lot wasn't also. The jockey didn't whip her mercilessly, actually, the use of the whip prevented her from crashing into the rail. This isn't to say whips are good, she should've been trained differently to begin with. This is what I think should happen:
-Whips should be banned -ANY drugs on horses should be banned in racing -Horses should be older before they are allowed to race -The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act should be passed (Lots of racehorses that don't do well are sent to the slaughterhouse) -A breeding program to strengthen racehorse's legs should be installed -And, if it were possible, though drastic, ban horserace betting
I think that if most of those happened, horse racing would have fewer casualties, and people would see it for the race, not for the bloodshed.
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Post by Wintez Aqbar Kiatra on May 15, 2008 17:00:25 GMT -8
I agree with you on some points. I really don't feel like letting everything I know go, for my headache is returning and occasionally my eyes water so much the screen is hard to see 0.o
But I believe - Whips should not be banned, though perhaps not used as often (truth be told, watch many races closely. the horse is not actually hit with the whip much until the end when a final spurt is required. yes, they are hit a couple times, but more-so the whip is only waved)
- Some drugs should be banned -the enhancing ones- you must realize some racehorses have prescriptions... banning all will scratch many a horse from a race
- I agree with slaughter for practical reasons (I am thinking logically, not emotionally. find the facts and many actually agree) Just note;; it is a hesitant agreement, but slaughter is an evil fighting a much bigger evil **neighbor is horse trader. I personally see what goes to slaughter, so I have a huge expanse of first hand experience with slaughter horses, and know them better than -probably- 95% of people
- A breeding program should be established. not to strengthen the legs necessarily, but to stop enchancing the horse. long story short; bones that last longer and can handle more, ligaments stronger, and overall everything more supple. people keep trying to enhance the racehorse, and by that they are in actuality weakening them
- Sorry, I like betting. yes, because of it more drastic means are made to make horses go faster. but sorry, betting is half of horseracing and without it crowds at racetracks would be cut in half (yes, only the horse lovers would be present. but its the betters that keep the tracks running. without them, tracks would shut down. no more thoroughbreds. come to think of it, banning it would only make people start up illegal racing, and one can only imagine what the horses would go through then) and millions -a TON of it- of revenues would be no more. america's economy does not need that right now
- I also think horses should race when they are older. I don't mind them being broken in, trained, and adjusted to the track at a yearling to a two year old... just that when they race they should be three, or at least a mature 2 and half
That's my two cents worth[/color]
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Post by Black Jewel on May 15, 2008 18:01:23 GMT -8
On Whips-True, they are often just waved, but that's because its a signal they've been trained to watch for, and it doesn't happen all the time. I think whips could be spared, and horses could be trained to watch for other signals.
On Drugs-Yes, I meant enhancing ones, but painkillers should also be banned, even if it means more scratches, since then horses who have something wrong with them won't feel the pain, and then will go faster, causing more pressure to go to the original source of pain, which could lead to lameness.
On Slaughter-I'm completely against it for these reasons:
-Most horses sent to slaughterhouses are killed inhumanely and are tortured -Most horses sent to slaughterhouses are in perfectly good condition -Rates of neglect and abuse go down when slaughterhouses are shut down, not the other way around
On Breeding-I agree completely
On Betting-I know, and I know it most likely isn't going to be achieved, but it would be a nice thing, where racing was just for the race and not for the money
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Post by Wintez Aqbar Kiatra on May 19, 2008 17:49:15 GMT -8
Whew -long story-
Anywhoo
Drugs -- WILL BE BANNED. the ntra president had made it officially... next year [sometime in january, cant remember exact date] drugs shall be banned. I understand and can agree with how he put it. and something that kinda... makes me angry;; Big Brown is on enhancing drugs. his trainer admitted it
Slaughter [as mentioned, I've first hand experience with slaughter horses. some are in good health, but most ARE NOT. people forget that there was a reason for selling them in the first place]
- When slaughter was allowed in America it was completely humane. vet's had to be either on site or check it very often. when struck, the horses DID die. yes, occasionally the blow to the head did not kill them, but they were 'out of it' enough that they did not realize what was happening and felt little to no pain (as moving an experience as it was, I've been to a working slaughterhouse and seen in it motion)
That said, the ride there could be considered torture and I will back it. Most horses were sent with little to no food or water long distances and often in extreme weather. I can see why... if the animal is sentenced to death, why spend tax dollars taking care of it. Yes, sounds very bad, but I can see why they did it. Not saying I'm agreeing; I wish they could be taken care of better
- Most horses sent to slaughter are NOT in 'good condition'. yes, some are fat and seemingly healthy. but in my work with them; some refused to be ridden or worked with. some terrified of people and will attack.
But most do have something wrong with them. its just that when inexperienced people view slaughter horses, they do not see the defects. like, a horse is coming down with tetanus. or has extremely bad conformation and cannot be used for anything. or that they are in fact injured [MANY broken down racehorses, though most tendon injuries]. also, some have habits that have in fact, killed them. many are cribbers, wood chewers, the like. their teeth are literally gone. or they were previously injured and it healed wrong and now cannot function properly. and may I add; horse traders? the horses that are worth anything are kept and resold to ranches, not slaughtered. the traders act as a filter
- I have heard that this is the case. and yet, I have witnessed the opposite. like I've said, my neighbor is a horse trader that I am constantly helping to help the horses find new homes. since slaughter has been shut down horses now being shipped to mexico or canada for slaughter. so now tougher conditions, put simply. and seen horses -literally- tied up until they starve to death. simply abandoned on the side of an old country road and left for dead.
But on betting- now I see what your saying. and yes, that would be very nice.
And might I add;; I agree with horse slaughter. and yet, I have found approx. 15 horses new homes that would have otherwise been slaughtered. so at least I am doing something about it. but I'll also say; been in contact with hundreds [not exaggerating] of horses destined for slaughter. only 15 any good [though two colts there now he is holding].
Oh yes! Did you happen to watch the pre-race show of the Preakness? many of these topics discussed ^^ So now I agree with the vet when he says racing at two is actually better than at three. it develops the bones for such a strenous activity, where otherwise it might shock them. like, that out of 1000 races there are approx. 1.65 breakdowns... not a huge number. he went on of course, but I cannot recall every word 0.o But backing him because he says science has proved and they have the facts and data to back them up, not just an opinion
I'll post some pictures of some slaughter horses... just they are huge files and takes my computer forever to load.... so shall do tomorrow xD[/color]
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