Horse crazy, or money crazy?
May 15th, 2008
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This blog is for you horse people (and other animal lovers). The tragic death of Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby prompts the question: Are we pushing race horses too hard?
Horse crazy, or money crazy? by Kelli Ohrtman
Last week’s Kentucky Derby, host to the second-highest attendance in history, brought new scrutiny to “the sport of kings.” A fantastic win by Big Brown was made melancholy by Eight Belles’ tragic end. Vets, veterans and fans of the sport remain shocked—-no one has seen anything like what happened to Eight Belles. Or, if they have, it has never happened with so many eyes watching.
As I read the news about Eight Belles, my eyes began to tear up. As a little girl, I read every book in Walter Farley’s Black Stallion series, and so grew up on fantastic horse racing tales. When I was fifteen, I went on a road trip from Minnesota to Kentucky with my best horse crazy friend. We visited all the big, famous farms, where every sleek horse, perfect green field and dark brown fence said “money.” I thought it was beautiful.
At sixteen, I got my own ex-race horse. He was a Thoroughbred, raised in Minnesota for the track, but never raced, as he wasn’t fast enough. I loved him, and we had many fun years together going to non-competitive horse shows, and when I went away to college, he went to a girl younger than me, who planned to bring him to 4-H events.
My experiences with horse racing have been innocent, to say the least. I discovered it from an obsession with horses. But now that I’m older and wiser, I know that for most, the sport is not about loving horses; it’s about what I saw on that trip to Kentucky: money.
When I read Laura Hillenbrand’s book Seabiscuit, tears rolled down my cheeks when Seabiscuit was winning a race. I can’t help it—-the same thing happened when I saw the movie. Part of me absolutely loves watching horse racing, reading about it and dreaming about it. But after Barbaro in 2006, and Eight Belles this year, I’m conflicted.
I always knew that racing horses as two year olds wasn’t good for them, and that tens of thousands of horses raised every year never make it to the track. And not all of them end up as beloved buddies to horse-crazy girls. But I didn’t think about it very much. Maybe I’m being naive now to think that horse racing will ever be good for horses, but I’m not quite ready to turn my back on it just yet. I will never bet, and I don’t have a horse anymore, but I don’t know if I’m ready to say I want to see an end to the sport. I just wish it could be done more humanely, and without churning out thousands of horses that live a short, sad life. In this case, I even agree with (most of) the demands made by PETA following Eight Belles’ death.
I miss the days when I cried because I was so moved by racehorses’ speed and beauty, instead of a young horse’s tragic, possibly preventable end.
(photo courtesy of: www.freefoto.com)
Comments
Supposedly, thoroughbreds
Supposedly, thoroughbreds are horses that "mature" earlier than other breeds, and they are bred to be born as close to the beginning of the year as possible so that they are physically strong enough to start racing at 2 years old. No matter what "the experts" say about the maturity of these horses, 2 and 3 year olds are way too young to be used hard, any horse, any breed. You can start them young, but bring them along slowly. There are stories throughout history of famous race horses breaking down. Recently a movie was on TV about the filly, Ruffian, from the early 70's, another trajedy. Many Throroughbreds (or any other racing breed) who weren't fast enough for the racetrack go on to have successful careers in dressage, jumping, barrel racing, etc. By the time they reach their new owners, they're a bit older, physically stronger and can handle a working life much better, of course with the right treatment. I, too, had an ex-racehorse who never made it on the track. I bought him when he was 6 years old and we had many enjoyable years of crazily racing on trails, jumping logs, and we barrel raced competitively on rodeo circuits. Best horse I ever had!
I'm glad I came across this
I'm glad I came across this article, it brought up both memories (of the Walter Farley books -- I even belonged to his Black Stallion Club!) and my own conflicts with thorougbred racing. I find horses to be an almost transcendant experience, and watching them run seems to lift us above our human condition... and yet, there is all that drugging, and breaking down and horrible stuff to go along with it. I too am hugely conflicted. I will never forget the beauty of Barbaro's Derby run, how easy he made it look, like a true master of any art does. Then, the horrible trajedy at the Preakness.
For all my love of equines, my life never has included horses, so I was not aware of what one commentor wrote about the horse maturing more slowly than the experts say they do. If this be so, then the racing industry is exploitative, and is risking every young horse that steps out on the track. Some balance must be sought if the sport is to continue.
I, too, love horses and feel
I, too, love horses and feel exhilarated when I see these beautiful animals run a winning race. But, NOT at the expense of that horse's well-being. NOT at the risk of its health, its very life.
I prayed for Barbaro and cried when he died. I watched the Kentucky Derby the day Eight Belles collapsed on the track and felt stunned- later OUTRAGED- when I understood what had happened. I still feel deeply saddened by Eight Belles' cruel demise, suffering and dying on a dirty track because of greed, ignorance and indifference. I will NEVER again look at a televised race, nor will I ever again attend one until the rotten business of horse racing, as it is currently practiced - inhumanely - is changed to reflect true sportsmanship with the horses' well-being and safety the priority that it needs to be.
I purchased the book, THE SOUL OF A HORSE, written by Joe Camp. It has just been published. Mr. Camp's dedication is
"For everyone who has ever loved a horse... or loved the idea of loving a horse" This book is beautifully written, by a man who truly does love horses and truly CARES for them and THEIR needs, not as we humans perceive them but as the horses needs and Mr. Camp's dedicated desire to do what is humane and in the best interests of the horse have become self-evident.
Natural pastures with horses living together with the herd; barefoot WITHOUT damaging horseshoes that restrict flexibility and blood flow to the horse's hoof and legs; and knowledgeable consideration of a horse's dietary requirements and thermoregulatory system are beginning to be appreciated in some pockets in the U.S.. Mr. Camp mentions on page 111, a U.K. racing club , the Horses First Club, that requires horses to be barefoot and live in the pasture with other horses. THESE HORSES ARE WINNING RACES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY - NOT at the expense of lameness and death and a multitude of other accompanying problems seen in horses who, ultimately, are bred to live shortened, brutal lives because people choose not to enlighten themselves to better, kinder, more profitable ways in the long run.
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