Had tears in my eyes watching the tragedy of Eight Belles. Running/reining, cutting, pleasure riding, etc., on undeveloped limbs is something I do not understand! The other sport to have a record number of euthanizations for the season is top level three day eventing, specifically the cross country. At the Rolex held April 24-27 at the Kentucky Horse Park, 2 horses had to euthanized after falls. One of the riders involved was flown out by helicopter, broken ribs, both lungs collapsed, etc. (Horse City.com, Triumph & Tragedy). That brings the season number to 9. Because of the high number of equine fatalities, a summit was called, held in Denmark. This was prior to Kentucky. Steps are being attempted by gaining a consensus to prevent horses making the leap to this level that are not ready. (Paper Horse, May, 2008  issue). As a spectator at the Atlanta Olympics on the Cross Country Course, it was clear, even to this untrained eye that a number of the horses did not belong at that level of competition. It was, by and large, those from small countries.

Brenda

Yes, I know, $$$$$.

Brenda

These horses are being used too hard at too young an age. They are often broken down by the age of four or five. It's criminal

Gard

Multiple stuides have found that bone density and strenght improved when young horses were subjected to training at eariler ages than those horses who were older before put into training. So calling this Criminal is a bit of a reach.

Its a unfortuate event when something like this happens but if you didn't notice the other 19 horses didn't break down. If racing its self was that bad, you'd have seen 3-4-5 more drop like flies. But you didn't. You probably didn't see all those other races on the Churchill card where again all horses cross the finish line and went back to barn in good shape.

Horses have been know to injury themselves playing in a field,training for competition,in the breeding shed,or at work. The fact is - shit happens. Its bad for the racing industry that this happened on national TV- you get knee jerk reactions like ban the sport,ban 3 yr olds from racing, whatever.

When race horses are injured, it is likely in the best interest of the horse not to race again and find a different career. I find this to be far more humane that trying to get the horse sound enough, only to have a more catastrophic injury end their life and there is always the financial factor- some horses have more value as a breeding animal than the wait and see approach to injury rehab.We all face financial conserations with our horses yet racing always manages to get a bad rap...all about the money. Everything in life has something to do with money....

anyway, I am not someone who stands up and demands other give up a sport just because i didn't like something that happened just as I don't want someone doing that to me.

Unfortunately every episode like this breakdown and euthanization...is just fuel to PETA movement against the equine community...

And this years ROLEX...didn't help any...with two horses being put down...

It's not just racing.  A horse can break down doing anything.  As was said, it's often to do with starting a horse too early...backing a QH or a TB at 16 months so that they will be ready for the 2 year old races or the snaffle bit futurities.  Why do they do it?  MONEY.  A possible solution would be to offer more money in "older" classes.  The so-called senior classes for 6 year olds, for example. (And it is just crazy to call 6 year olds "senior" horses). 

Heard about the two horses that were put down and both horses were owned by Barbaro's owners.  Our horses are in a barn where there are race horses.  These horses are trained every day, basically they have to run to earn their keep or they will be sold.  The ages range from 2 years to 5 years.  All run at the track one time or the another.  We have seen two different trainers, each with their own staff, each with their own training style.  We also have seen horses with their knees blown out, and other problems.  I have read up on certain horses like Seattle Slew.  His owner did not run him to death.  A example of trading horses is our horse.  She raced but did not win, was sold and went to Michigan.  The new owner wanted her for breeding and tried.  The vet said she was to young and she should wait for her to mature (she was two years old).  She did not want to.  She sold her to us.  We do not run her at the track, nor did we want to breed her at the time.  She grew and her legs are strong and she is healthy (she does crib).  The trainer who is racing horses where we are at also saw our horse.  We bought her first and that is what saved her from a life of running all her life or being breed just for because of her pedigrey.  Owners could wait for the horses to be trained later but why?  Alll equine owners know how much it cost to raise, train, and feed their animals.  So getting the money back makes sence and is needed (sometimes at the cost of the animal).  Having the horses insured helps but you really lose alot more.  Some owners do not even see their horses only when they are on the track, at the winners circle, or the money is sent to them.  There could be changes if the racing industry wanted it.   

 There could be changes if the racing industry wanted it.   (quote)

As long as there are thousands and thousands of dollars to be made,they won't want anything but that.

As long as there are thousands and thousands of dollars to be made,they won't want anything but that.

I agree, there could be changes made IF the racing industry wanted it.  I don't mean to change this thread, but being an owner and shower of TWH I have seen changes within the equine community with regard to the TWH.  IMO abuse is abuse regardless of the breed, sport or activity for which the horse is being used.  Does an injury automatically indicate abuse?  NO!

Has the emphasis changed from participation due to a love of the sport or animal to the all mighty dollar?  IMO  YES!

Safe and Happy Trails to all.

JacciB

Racing isn't a perfect sport but in the name of horse health, many tracks have spent millions replacing dirt with polytrack surfaces. The early results have shown fewer break downs but itstoo soon to make the determination that the new surfaces will reduce injuries signifigantly.

These type of catastrophic breakdowns are rare but they do happen. 19 other horses finished the race sound and healthy as well as all the other horses that raced that day.

As I have posted before numerous studies have shown bone strenght and density is greater in race horses started at an early age VS those started later. its actually benefical for horses to be started young.

As I have posted before numerous studies have shown bone strenght and density is greater in race horses started at an early age VS those started later. its actually benefical for horses to be started young.

It's beneficial to be started young perhaps, but not to the extent that most horses are.  My old QH colt was backed at 2 y.o., worked under saddle lightly for a month, then put back to pasture for a year to mature.    Every horse will be different, of course. 

Did some come out of the rce with bruises,bumps or some filling? Perhaps. but they did not break both legs or even one. The point is while these break downs happen they are not the norm and it doesn't not justify radical changes.

What I think is a bunch of horse poop on the article I read is they are trying to blame it on the track and try to make tracks better, that's just plain bulls**t!!!!!

Put a halt on racing at such a young age and set the minimum age higher maybe even 6 or 7 years! Are these people that are considered the best among breeding Thoroughbreds and the best trainers experts or idiots? I belive also in my opinion that they have more money to throw around and wast than anything else.

They also stated in the article I read the the breeding for stamina was down and how do the fix that? Well duh! quit inbreeding, this is something I belive you will see change if the environmentalist and animal rights people get ahold of, this or those like PETA.

I IMHO, it all falls back on the age of the horse racing so young..............

You are probably correct about the bone density and strenght with young horses but I have seen blown out knees and places like CANTER have a lists of horses that can only do light riding.  Lots of them are on pasture duty since they have had to be operated on.  The vet at the track said there have been lots of studies and given the amount of running there (time trails and the race itself) not all horses are broken down or sore, they are athletics.  During the time trails the owners of Barbaro have another horse (forgot it name) that has a 50/50 chance of living the same type of injury different leg.  PETA is trying to accuse the jockey about what happened to Eight Belles.  Take away the money, the honor, that to me takes away everything she accomplished.    Here is what PETA is trying to do. This is on PETA.org incase I messed up.  

"Eight Belles" Should Sound the End of Racetrack Betting

How would you feel if this was you?  I do not agree with PETA but the industry does need something.  The track was as good as it could be. 

Take Immediate Action Now to Prevent Future Tragedies

Following Eight Belles' breakdown and euthanasia at the Kentucky Derby on May 3, I urge you to immediately take the following steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.

1. Delay training and racing until after a horse's third birthday. Before reaching this age, the animals' legs are not fully developed, which increases the chances for injury.

2. Eliminate racing on dirt surfaces. Synthetic track surfaces - such as the surfaces used at Keeneland and all California race courses - are safer for horses and have led to dramatic decreases in breakdowns.

3. Limit the number of races per season. Even Triple Crown racers who have light schedules leading up the Derby break down under the strain. Horses who race on smaller tracks are often run so frequently that strains and breaks are inevitable.

4. Ban whipping. Injured horses who are mercilessly whipped by jockeys will keep going until their legs shatter completely.

5. Immediately suspend the trainer and jockey who, through excessive force and neglect, allowed this tragic death to happen.
                 
These changes won't stop all the cruelty of horseracing - only an end to the "sport of kings" will do that - but they will stop a great deal of suffering. Please take action today.

Accidents happen in any sport and that includes sports with horses. Do we want want people like PETA dictating the terms of how we own,raise,train and show horses too? I do not. 8 Belles was a tragdy despite the best of care in her training,conditioning,feeding...everything. We don't need people like PETA, who are probably the dumbest pieces of radical animal worshippers to walk the earth,making the rules.They are not horsemen,they dont' care about your horses but they do care about the cheap and easy pubilicty they can get,the donations idiots will send in and the power they love.

Gone- you really are gone. PETA is radical animal right group with nothing mroe than a logo and a fax machine. Where were they before the derby? They pop up only when they can get the most bang then they go away. People within the racing industry are the ones who are trying to make the changes,the research,the recommendations, the work.

Trainers and owners are the people who should be in charge of the care and health of their horses. next time your horse is injured or sick, image someone, who has no knowlege of horses, will step in and dictate what you can and cannot do for its welfare...then lets talk.

1. Delay training and racing until after a horse's third birthday. Before reaching this age, the animals' legs are not fully developed, which increases the chances for injury. So if older horses still break down then what? delay until 4? 5? 6?

2. Eliminate racing on dirt surfaces. Synthetic track surfaces - such as the surfaces used at Keeneland and all California race courses - are safer for horses and have led to dramatic decreases in breakdowns. Initial studies have found fewer breakdowns on synthetic surfaces but its very early to determine if they are, in fact, safer. Synthetic tracks have been supproted by horsemen long before PETA got into the act and horsemen will be far more concerned well after PETA has moved on to something else.

3. Limit the number of races per season. Even Triple Crown racers who have light schedules leading up the Derby break down under the strain. Horses who race on smaller tracks are often run so frequently that strains and breaks are inevitable. So if a horse is injured after 5 races a season, do we drop down to 4? To 3? Who determines the number of races anyway? How about the owners and trainers who know the horse best?

4. Ban whipping. Injured horses who are mercilessly whipped by jockeys will keep going until their legs shatter completely. Name one case this has been based on? The whip has several purposes one of which is to guide the horse away from the rail ( bad to hit the rail) or other horses ( bad to run into another horse) What happens if a horse breaks down if the jockey isn't whipping? Who do we blame then?

5. Immediately suspend the trainer and jockey who, through excessive force and neglect, allowed this tragic death to happen. Please give some evidence of this...don't waste your time- there is no evidence 8 belles was whipped until she broke down. Nobody who invests millions of dollars into a race horse allows tragic deaths to happen.
                 
These changes won't stop all the cruelty of horseracing - only an end to the "sport of kings" will do that - but they will stop a great deal of suffering. Please take action today. This is it in a nut shell folks- PETA wants to eliminate horse racing not make it safer. So all of you who ride a horse in any manner, PETA will come after you next. Any kind of human interaction with horses can result in suffering. PETA is an extreme animal rights group with a simple agenda- power and control over you.

You know, Farmbabe, Gone is entitled to his/her opinion just as you are.  Is it really necessary for you to be rude to someone just because they don't agree with you?  Isn't it opposing view points that make for good discussion.  If this forum was comprised of sycophantic parrots it would loose it's educational and informative value.

JacciB

You can be passionate and fired up about issues without being rude.  IMO

Farmbabe,

I did not say you are a sycophantic parrot.  I said if those type of people made up this forum it would lose it's educational and informative value.   I did, however, say you were rude.  Perhaps better wording is that you come across rude. 

JacciB 

I believe Gone is actually speaking some truth, if you "do" look at the article as a whole and yes sometimes it may take some "radicals" to get things done. I liked Gone's statement, very well put.

I don't agree with PETA as a whole on their ways, but it may take them unfortunately to get something done. Especially the age, that is way to young to race horses. I hate racing and always have and don't watch it because of how they use the young horses. When I read about this in the paper and saw it on the news, I thought...."something needs to be done soon!" and maybe as I said previous, unfortunately it may take PETA to roll some heads. It will be interesting to see what happens in the near future........

OK folks here is my last posts on this subject- I will always trust the judgement of trainer,owners and vets on the well being of their horses over loud mouth,know nothing groups like PETA. After PETA destroys the racing indurty ( with most of your help) they won't stop there. next you folks who jump horses, then cutters and reiners, then show horse folks and then trail people. All of these activity puts stress and strain on a horse( increasing the chance of injuries) and god forbid we do that.

I have pretty good idea that none of you folks have ever been involved in racing,training or owning TB's on the track yet you seem to have so much holier than thou knowlege. I don't have a clue as to the nature of this sport and I am not about to pass judgement. but let me say this PETA never gets it right- this radical front has protested hog growers,cattlemen,chicken farmers, you name it, if it invoves aniamls being used my humans for food or money, they are against it.

Here is a story published on the Bloodhorse.com online..sums it all up people.

The Eight Belles Tragedy: Stop Placing Blame

Having worked backside at Great Lakes Downs in Muskegon, MI as a pony rider and as a groom I can tell you from experience these horses are xrayed BEFORE a 125 pound or LESS rider is put on their back when they are first started.  They are NOT worked hard prior to turning two, compared to other breeds.  Also the thoroughbreds are specifically bred for more dense bone structure than other breeds, and also for faster maturation.   When started, these horses work a whopping ten minutes at most on the track, then they are hosed, and hot walked for a good half hour to hour pending on how they are blowing.    Each horse is checked before they are put up, their legs are felt, and wrapped, put in standing bandages with poultice.

These horses are babied far more than any show horse I have been around.  They will not run them if they show any signs of lameness.  Each horse is checked by the track vet prior to running, they also do random pulls after the races. 

You will have bad trainers in any discipline you deal with.  

A typical workout for a young horse is a slow jog twice around the track, then you may go to a slow canter.  These horses are NOT worked fast from the get go, you have to build up their wind and they ALWAYS are watching the legs.  As soon as that horse is done with its workout the first thing is done back at the shedrow is check for any signs of heat in those legs. 

Those who blast the industry definitely do not have any insight to what really goes on with the training.  Ignorance always spawns misinformation.

I have seen yearlings in AQHA and APHA worked far more harder than a thoroughbred.  For me it is more stressful on the joints to be longed in a small tight circle than a horse does being able to extend their legs in a natural manner.

I don't think it is fair for folks to badmouth an industry unless you have worked there, sweated there, and knew what you were talking about.

As I said, you will always have bad trainers/owners/riders in ANY discipline. 

Lets just keep our negative comments to ourselves, because you sure as heck don't want me started on endurance riding, eventing, reining, cutting, barrels, walkers (soring or weights). 

I was raised on a show farm, my father was into showing Quarters.  I have a yearling paint being shown in yearling longeline.  So I guess I am just as bad as those who start the TB's at 18 mos.  Of which they typically slow work them a month, then hold off for another 3-5 months and then continue training in the spring.  Also the riders are typically 125 pounds or less with a 3 pound saddle   vs a 160+ pound full grown man with a heavy 40 pound western saddle.

Spooler, that is my whole point.  I was just pointing out that there is alot of misinformation floating out there.  People can jump to alot of conclusions before getting accurate facts.

I am not bashing any other breed, etc.  But if folks want to bash the racing industry, I sure as heck can jump in and point out some other things that go on in other industries, that are just as bad, if not worse. I have been involved in Tennesee Walker showing, Quarter Horse showing, Paint Showing, have a friend that trains endurance horses.  I have seen the good, the bad, and downright ugly in a plethera of disciplines.

I think alot of folks like to just jump in and judge without getting background info straight from a source

I am just as guilty because I used to own a racehorse, I now am into showing a Paint yearling in longeline class.  So I guess I am a bad owner....get the rope!!!!

 Bunk, she was significantly fetlock varus on both front legs. This contributes DIRECTLY to the type of fractures she sustained. Couple that with fatigue and the way the horses are brought down, jogging left and right with the outriders the forces compound. She was NOT selected for conformation. If she was she never would have been run.

Interesting......If this is accurate then I would think she shouldn't have been raced but what do I know. Horses aren't perfect as we all know, but the type of conformation fault along with its' severity determines what the best "job" would be for that particular horse. If you step out of that realm the outcome is inevitable. I'm sorry but a true horse person would understand and make an effort to abide but I honestly don't believe that everyone involved with horses are "true" horse people...........It is what it is.

Eight Belles had some grit though didn't she?........What a shame.

here is more information form the bloodhorse.com

By Dr. Stacey Oke

In the wake of two highly publicized catastrophic racetrack injuries since May 2006, questions and opinions regarding the safety of Thoroughbred racehorses have been generated and propagated by fans, the media, and animal rights groups.

“The entire equine industry is saddened over the loss of Eight Belles and Barbaro, but we are not idly standing by," emphasized Dr. C. Wayne McIlwraith, director of orthopaedic research at Colorado State University. "For years we have been aggressively seeking methods to improving racing conditions to decrease the incidence of racetrack injuries.

“We have had two Welfare and Safety Summits in the past two years; however, we need to put many of our resolutions into effect to minimize the rate of both catastrophic and non-catastrophic injuries," McIlwraith continued.

One of the industry’s most recent safety initiatives is the establishment of the voluntary On-Track Injury Reporting System by Dr. Mary Scollay, associate veterinarian at Calder Race Course and Gulfstream Park.

According to Scollay’s analysis of the preliminary On-Track Injury data, the fatality rate in Thoroughbred racehorses is extremely low--1.47 of 1,000 starts on synthetic surfaces and 2.03 fatalities per 1,000 starts on dirt.

Scollay added, “As I have emphasized before, this is just preliminary data and further research is required to fulfill the three goals of the injury reporting project--to identify the frequency, type, and outcome of racing injuries to develop a database capable of identifying horses at-risk for injury.”

These latest figures confirm earlier reports that have analyzed the risk of fatality in Thoroughbred racehorses in California, Kentucky, Canada, and England. Each of these studies concluded that the fatality rate is less than 0.18% and data from the England suggests these rates are even lower.

“Obviously, we want this figure to be zero and we are all working towards achieving this goal,” said McIlwraith.

Regarding the question of whether fillies should race against males, it is unclear at present whether this is a real issue or not despite the images of Eight Belles and Ruffian.

McIlwraith agreed by stating there is no data to suggest females suffer catastrophic injuries more often than males.

Nor is there any evidence younger horses (i.e., 2-year-olds) are injured more often than their 3- or 4-year-old competitors.

“In fact, there is epidemiologic data in the United States showing 4-year-olds as having the highest incidence of catastrophic injuries—not the 2-year old group,” McIlwraith said.

In a 2007 study of Ontario racing Thoroughbreds, there was no difference in catastrophic injuries in horses of different ages from 2 to 8 years or between sexes.

Once horses with an increased risk of injury are identified, it will be possible to intervene and potentially decrease the number of racetrack injuries.

“Based on a Grayson-Jockey Club funded study conducted in Southern California, we have developed a serum biomarker test (a blood test) with a 90% predictability for diagnosing a pre-fracture injury,” said McIlwraith. 

McIlwraith’s vision for the future is the wide-spread use of this blood test to identify horses at-risk for injury, then perform addition follow-up diagnostic imaging techniques, such as bone scans, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging to ultimately reduce the number of racehorse injuries.

The dedication of the Thoroughbred industry to racehorse safety is further evidenced by various safety initiatives in different sectors of the industry, including:

--Establishment of the Barbaro Fund and the Penn Vet Laminitis Institute
--Formation and development of the Racing, Medication, and Testing Consortium
--Professional and education services provided by the American Association of equine Practitioners
--Aggressive research efforts in the field of joint disease and joint injuries to diagnose bone or joint damage in the early stages of disease and to estimate risk and severity of joint damage
--Active efforts by charitable organizations, such as the Southern California Equine Foundation, which is dedicated to protect the interest and promote the welfare of the equine athlete
--Construction of synthetic surfaces at nine racetracks throughout North America
--Institution of The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Safety Committee
--Scheduling of regular meetings of the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit.

Thank you Farmbabe for contributing that article.  Unfortunately those who have never worked backside or at a TB racing farm will continue to exhibit ignorance and jump the "sky is falling" bandwagon. 

I don't claim to have firsthand knowledge on other breeds, have had some experience, but I do know TB's.  I literally have blood, sweat, and tears invested. 

If this had been a 5k claimer, we would never would have been discussing this issue. 

You are going to have issues with ANY discipline and ANY breed irregardless of age or training methods.

So lets put this to rest and move on to another subject.

The next few weeks will be interesting...

http://hoofcare.blogspot.com/2008/05/still-thinking-about-eight-belles.html

I will comment no more.

Well, you are right about it being interesting...

PETA planning protests at The Preakness...

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/05/07/peta-plans-preakness-protest/

Maybe we should protest PETA...lol... Have signs that say I support peta  "People Eating Tasty Animals"...

I just thought I would pass this article along.  It is a little long to cut and paste or I would have.  It is a good argument of where the blame should truly lie, with the breeders.  Longevity, confirmation and soundness are no longer the important factors for racing.  It is now more important that horses be fast at an early age to retire and breed, where the big money is.  Even with that said, I find it suprising that everyone (not here, in the general public) is condemning horse racing for the slaughter when they might be suprised how many QH types are sent to slaughter vs. Thoroughbreds.  At least TBs still have to live cover, which reduces the amount bred a year as opposed to QH that have a limit as high as the sky.

http://www.alternet.org/workplace/85146/

I am a racing fan and hope that it survives.  I have said for years it needs a hero, but I'm not sure one will come along anymore....

If I were one of those dog's owners,I think I would have had to be physically restrained from strangling a PETA person.They'd be lucky that THEY weren't hit by a car themselves when that was over with.

I agree about PETA.  I think they have too much time on their hands and have nothing better to do to be honest.  There is a need for humane treatment of animals, I agree with that, BUT... you don't have to be an extremist to get your point across.