Do You Think That Horse Racing Is A Form Of Animal Abuse?
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
August 26, 2007 3:01pm CST
I've been doing a series of discussions about sports in general, from what sport(s) you find boring, to talking about the Olympics. But then it hit me that there is another "sport" that no one has mentioned about, and that is horse racing.
Now I have to admit, I fell in love with the movie "Seabiscuit"--I thought it a charming story, and couldn't think what a great horse that was.
But then there's to my mind the other side of horse racing in general...and I think the whole "sport" of horse racing can be considered a form of animal abuse.
During a little search I came across this website,and here are a few facts:
The horse racing industry advertises itself as "glamorous," but in reality, exploitation, welfare violations, cruelty, and premature deaths are an inherent and unavoidable part of this industry based on greed.
(Quote)
FACTS: 1. The horse racing industry causes thousands of horses to be born only to be slaughtered or abandoned to an existence of neglect, starvation, and suffering. There are three reasons for this:
1. Very large numbers must be produced annually to generate a few fast ones to be selected to compete. Of the many thousands bred to race, very few make the grade. The rest must be disposed of.
2. During training or racing, injuries are common. Injured horses are also euthanized or sold from one owner to another into increasingly worse conditions.
3. When race horses have finished their career - usually at a very early age, before they are fully mature - they, too, must be disposed of. Their numbers exceed by far the number of humane retirement facilities.
The above has been found to be true of every country where this issue has been studied, including England, Germany, Japan, and the U.S. In the small country of Macau, for example, approximately 300 horses are imported per year, the same number as are retired. Most of those retired are euthanized. Some who do not make the grade, but who can still race, are exported to race and/or to an unknown fate in China or Vietnam. A local Macau newspaper published photos of healthy horses (some as young as 4 years old) who were no longer fast enough to win races, being lined up and shot, their bodies dumped at a local landfill. The horses were shot because shooting is a cheaper, though much less humane method of euthanasia than lethal injection.
In the U.S., around 5,000 leave racing every year, the same number who enter it. As in Macau and in every other country where horse racing exists, many end up euthanized or sent into a downward spiral of abuse.
There is so much more to this article and it's sickening--if you wish to read the article in its' entirety click here
http://www.chai-online.org/racing.htm
Now horse racing is a million dollar "industry", yet to my mind I think horse racing, once and for all should be banned...what are your thoughts?
7 people like this
21 responses
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
26 Aug 07
Not to downplay your discussion, but along these same lines is the Dog Races, which is very popular in Florida and Texas, amongst other places, but these dogs go through the same thing, here in Texas they have a huge society of people that find homes for Greyhounds after they are done with their racing career. I find it sad that these animals go through the abuse they do just for a race.
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Aug 07
I know....I'm aware of the abuse greyhounds suffer as well--both are horrific and abusive in my mind. Most Greyhounds are put down to when they are no longer "useful"--from what I understand, Greyhounds don't make great pets due to the mistreatment they may have suffered.
2 people like this
@Galena (9110)
•
27 Aug 07
in case it puts anyone off homing a greyhound, what you just said, they do in fact make excellent pets.
an ex racing greyhound counts among the easiest and most laid back dogs you could ever hope to have the pleasure of owning.
there is some abuse of them, but the biggest problem is that they are considered disposable.
they are good on the lead, laid back, calm, affectionate, happy, easy to groom dogs.
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
26 Aug 07
Hi pyewacket. Well I was just about to go to bed, but when I saw this dscussion I just had to respond, because it is something that I feel very strongly about. Yes - in my opinion- it is a very bad type of animal abuse. After all - they say these jockeys only "show" the poor horse their whips and bever hit them - but surely if the horses did not know what the pain of the whip felt like, then they would not be scared enough of the sight of it, to go faster! In ENgfland many people have "sweepstakes" in offices to bet on big races like The Derby and the Grand National - but I have always refused to join in because it is a form of cruelty.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Aug 07
I'm glad you feel as strongly as I do about horse racing--these are beautiful, magnificent creatures, that are just being exploited for monetary gain for all involved. And anyone who sanctions horse racing by watching and waivering bets is just as guilty in keeping this abuse alive.
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
27 Aug 07
Ihave always thought horse racing as abuse.I have never liked it and the way the horses are treated. They make the money for the owner and the owner has no loyalty in return .If I had my way,I would ban it.Look at what happened to poor barbero .If they hadn't of raced him,he would still be alive.
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
27 Aug 07
I was thinking the same thing. I wsn't falling for that fake grief. I thought you might be interested in a a discussion on the bottom of this page in "similar discussions" calling Barbaro a stupid horse and that no one cares.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Aug 07
Barbaro was a really beautiful horse wasn't he? I was re-watching the MNBC video of the day he was put down, and got so annoyed at the owner who was making a "tearful" comment about his being put down...like give me a break--she'll just find another horse for her to "kill"
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Aug 07
Saw the discussion and I'm not even going to touch that one....My words wouldn't exactly be nice.
2 people like this
@brendakaya (2332)
• United States
26 Aug 07
Reading that was certainly depressing. That's just so horrible. I never really thought much about horse racing before. I knew it was a fact of life, and I never wanted anything to do with it, but I never really thought about all the cruelty involved in it. Yes, I do think it is animal abuse, at least alot of it is. That's just really sad.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Aug 07
It's a far cry from the "nice" story about Seabiscuit isn't it--I learned a lot from that article too and just finished writing an article for AC about it I think a lot of people aren't aware of what goes on
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
27 Aug 07
I do agree that it is a form of animal abuse because how do they know how the horse is feeling? It may not feel like running that day. It may have a belly ache or a thorn it's foot. What ever the reason, it may not want to run like a maniac that day so why should they be hit with a stick to make them? That's abuse.
2 people like this
@meaky79 (32)
•
26 Aug 07
I agree with you whole heartidly about in the way that horses are being treated for the purpose of our amusement and greed of gambling as a society but however I do feel the need to ask is it just horses that you have concerns for.
As their are many animals including horses that are reared only for the purpose of being slaughtered for our daily needs such as food, clothing and its these animals that don't get the chance to be past on to another owner that might actually care for an love them.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Aug 07
By no means do I only single out horses for racing as being abused...I'm a follower of PETA and am all too well aware of the abuse other animals suffer, especially in the commercial food production line...this is of course different from farm raised animals in ideal settings, that have free range lifestyles...but what I'm talking about are the commercial chicken farms for companies like Kentucky Fried Chicken, etc...I've seen the videos on the PETA website and it makes one really sick!
1 person likes this
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
26 Aug 07
I do feel that horse racing is a form of animal abuse as well as any other type of animal race. They should not be using animals for races or for fighting each other or anything else that would harm them. It upsets me when animals have to be euthanized because of getting injured in something like racing or fighting.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Aug 07
It's a shame that any animal has to suffer like this, and what for? Money!
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
31 Aug 07
Once again the bottom line here is money. I find the amounts of money spent in the horse racing industry and gambling absolutely obscene. The industry is full of cheats, liars, thieves and those who would bring harm to the very animals they use to further their ends.
I have to maintain a bury my head in the sand stance because if I think about the cruelty involved with animals in sport I just want to be ill.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Sep 07
The two of you are so right..It always boils down to money...The owners think in terms of how much "profit" the horse can give them, not for its welfare at all
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
27 Aug 07
I fear that there would be less horses without horse racing. Without horse racing I fear the horses would wind up being slaughtered.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Aug 07
Well that article states that the "unworthy" horses that are bred are slaughtered anyway...it's a no win situation
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63233)
• United States
27 Aug 07
Horse racing, competative jumping, steeplechasing & all other forms of horse compation are very hard on the animals. And, unlike greyhound racing - another vile competion using animals, you can't exactly retire the horse to be a house pet.
Now, I think horses are wonderful animals, I rode for years and the place where most of the horses were obtained by the owner of the stable, were from auctions where the only other bidders were mostly the slaughter house.
I know for a fact that she saved many a horse from the meat market to be turned into horses to teach kids on.
But the only former racehorse I ever saw was a nutty mare who failed at "gate training" and didn't know any gait besides a run.
I have no idea if she knew how to jump - I do know the former cutting horse I tried to help work with had no idea what a pole raised off the ground was for & would as often as not, barrel thru it.
The cutting horse stayed, the race horse went.
If racing was outlawed tomorrow - not likely to happen - we'd go back to having back lot races & what good regulation does have on the industry would be lost. You'd have the situation that dog & rooster fighting would have, and it would get worse.
I'd just as soon see rodeo's go as awell, but I don't see them going either.
1 person likes this
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
27 Aug 07
I think horse racing and animal abuse are different...because when an animal is abused who abuses it wants to hurt it a lot. Most of the time, people involved in horse racing aren't trying to be cruel and abuse their animals. I bet a lot of race horses are taken good care of after their races. But, I do think the horses would rather not race. it's tough work for them and can be stressful/harmful. As for the horses life when he isn't racing, MOST horses lead pretty good lives.
I don't watch horse racing; I have no interest in it and I would rather ride the horses myself, in a way that isn't pushing them too hard.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Aug 07
Did you read that article link I posted here though might make you feel differently about horse racing
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
27 Aug 07
Yes, I know that many horses that aren't considered good enough are often killed, or the one's that retired after they can not race, and even the ones injured permantly during a race. I think that is awful, and I would love to make my own little horse refuge place for horses like that! I would love to save them.
@gwendovere (1279)
• United States
27 Aug 07
Probably. I think that any time animals are made to compete, it is wrong. Same with people, actually -- as in beauty contests, athletic events, etc.
But back on topic. Animals were not created for people to train, abuse & use for their indulgent pleasures. Animals are beautiful and should be treated with the utmost respect.
Too often people make their animals compete or fight or partake in "dog shows," etc. I think all of it is wrong.
For these reasons, I consider myself to be mostly a vegetarian. (I eat as little meat as possible to survive and be in good health.)
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Aug 07
I wish more people thought like you...that all animals should be treated with respect!
@thefortunes (2367)
• Netherlands
27 Aug 07
Gee Pyewacket, so sad, and you wrote such a good article in regards, this really opened my eyes. I never thought about it really, and also never followed horse racing either. And the few movies that I have seen didn't show the real thing as you did. This is definitely an awful life for this majestic animals, and I wish there was a way to stop all of the abuse. You mentioned also however that this could never be achieved due to the millions, or billions involved. What a waste, and what a shame for us humans really... :(
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Aug 07
It's terrible how we humans and society in general treat animals...with very little respect or compassion
@tsitra100 (171)
• Barbados
27 Aug 07
I thought so for years! Best topic so far.
1 person likes this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
26 Aug 07
Your information was slightly disturbing. I hope it is exaggerated! I know horses after their racing career is up are used as breeders also...and that garners a lot of money. I know there are people who are in something only for the money, but surely the majority of the handlers are lovers of horses and watch out for them.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Aug 07
Nope hate to say it but what I said here is not exagerated, and the fate of the horses once they are no longer "useful" is worse as it mentions in the article link
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
15 Sep 07
I have thought this for the last few years - since I moved near Louisville. The Derby is a big thing in this area and I just hate it. I feel so sorry for those horses! I didn't even know all those facts and they just support my initial thoughts.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
10 Oct 07
I am very skeptical. I had a friend who went to the horse stables with me in Vancouver and the horses were very well treated. I also do not trust PETA as if we followed their rules, all the animals would run free including pit bulls and if they attack a child, the child would be blamed. Also we would all have to be vegans, and that would mean that much of Canada and Northern Europe would have to be depopulated and the population moved to countries that can grow things almost all year round.
As for horses, people have ridden them for ages, and there are also stud farms. The only trouble is that race horses are Arabians and they are slimmer then the regular European horse and that may count for their injuries and their need to have small and light sized men as jockeys.
However, I do not approve of gambling and if gambling were no longer made the axis of horse racing, I believe that it will go back to what it was, the sport of Kings.
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
26 Aug 07
That is very sad, but for horse breeders it is a fact of life...I do think that this kind of thing should be stopped animal cruelty is something that we need to examine and act on more than we have so far.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Aug 07
I don't think horse racing can ever be eliminated..there's just too much money involved, but at least there should be more humane ways of treating those horses.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
26 Aug 07
That is a very sad story, pyewacket, but what else can we expect in a world that is consumed with greed, where financial gain takes precedence over ethical and moral behavior? Even in competitions within the human race we are hearing about self-inflicted abuse through the use of steroids and other illegal substances. It is amazing just how far people are willing to go in pursuit of the almighty dollar. I'm afraid that we have many lessons yet to be learned-but the ultimate cost will be much more than I can imagine.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Aug 07
One fact I didn't know about is that horse racing goes back to primitive tribesmen in Asia but wasn't instituted as a wagering sport until the 1700s--so the abuse has actually been around for a very long time
