Peta Calls For End Of Horse Racing

[Buford_Julep]

People for the ethical treatment of animals (PETA) says

Although Eight Belles' death, like Barbaro's before hers, made headlines, countless lesser-known horses suffer similar fates—their broken legs and battered bodies are simply hidden from public view. Most racehorses end up broken down or cast off or are sent to Europe for slaughter.

On the other hand, some race horses get a retirement deal that no company or government can match.

[UNTflyer]

[Guest JohnDenver]

To be fair, PETA is against horse racing and really doesn't want it to exist.. but they have four stances they want to end their call for the end of horse racing.

1) No more whipping of the horses

2) Don't race horses that are younger than 3

3) Put a limit on a number of races a horse can be raced per year

4) Replace dirt with artificial surfaces

[Coffee and TV]

As a racing fan I'm ok with all of the above listed conditions they want.

[Guest JohnDenver]

As a racing fan I'm ok with all of the above listed conditions they want.

You know, as am I. I wouldn't mind if they stopped whipping the horses. I am not sure how badly the horses feel it, whether it is just a reminder to run FAST now... but... I know my dog runs faster when I hold a treat in front of her face (without the whipping). I don't mind if the horses are older. I like the idea of less races per horse (however, I read the average is 6 a year, which is was less than the 11 per year in the 70's). I am not sold on the artificial turf though.. Is well maintained dirt really that bad? I dunno.

I am always torn about horse racing. I got to a couple races a year. I love watching the horses run... I don't like to bet on them (since i suck at it). But I hate to see this happen. I read that the incidence of this type of injury (the 'put them down' variety) is 1/1500. That is about 1 horse per year at the Lonestar Park.

[CMJ]

Breeding practices need to change. The breed has become more and more brittle and inbred in the last 20 or so years, and we're seeing the effects.

Synthetic surfaces might help, but the real problem is the current crop on thoroughbreds themselves. They're more bred for speed than soundness. Secretariat raced 21 times before he was retired at the end of his 3 year old campaign. TWENTY ONE. We just don't breed horses to keep running like that anymore.

I think horses should also be bred for longer distances. The Jockey Club Gold Cup in New York used to be run at 2 miles...then at 1 1/2 miles for years and years...now it's at 1 1/4. The Breeders Club Classic should be at 1 1/2 miles for sure.

[Green P1]

Where was the outcry from PETA during the Barbaro fiasco?

[Eagle1855]

You know, as am I. I wouldn't mind if they stopped whipping the horses. I am not sure how badly the horses feel it, whether it is just a reminder to run FAST now... but... I know my dog runs faster when I hold a treat in front of her face (without the whipping).

something like this would do nicely

I personally love horse racing. I've got a lot of family that is involved in it. These horses are treated like royalty. It was a freak accident. Could there be things done to ensure these types of things don't happen again? Sure, but to call for an end to horse racing altogether is asinine. Many of these horses would never have even been BORN if it weren't for horse racing.

[Quoner]

Where was the outcry from PETA during the Barbaro fiasco?

Here: http://blog.peta.org/archives/2007/01/rip_barbaro_1.php

I hate PETA, but don't see anything wrong with the four requests in JD's post.

[KRAM1]

PETA needs to get a life! What a joke!

[Buford_Julep]

I remember seeing a TV show where it was said that a jockey does not really viciously whip a horse. Just a brush on the flank is enough to awaken the genetic memory to "run faster... a predator is on your flank."

Where is the incentive for owners, trainers and jockeys to abuse their extremely valuable property? There is none.

You could outlaw racing, but unless you lock them up, you can't stop these horses from running. Running is part of what they are. I doubt that running through a pasture is any more safe than running on a race track.

[CMJ]

Breeding practices need to change. The breed has become more and more brittle and inbred in the last 20 or so years, and we're seeing the effects.

Synthetic surfaces might help, but the real problem is the current crop on thoroughbreds themselves. They're more bred for speed than soundness. Secretariat raced 21 times before he was retired at the end of his 3 year old campaign. TWENTY ONE. We just don't breed horses to keep running like that anymore.

I think horses should also be bred for longer distances. The Jockey Club Gold Cup in New York used to be run at 2 miles...then at 1 1/2 miles for years and years...now it's at 1 1/4. The Breeders Club Classic should be at 1 1/2 miles for sure.

Sorry to dig this up guys, but here is a great column by Bill Nack - who basically agrees with me. It's the soundness of the breed that is most to blame...not running them to young, or dirt tracks, or anything else.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/tri...&id=3399004

[meangreendork]

PETA's 4 demands are pretty reasonable, but yeah...they don't do much to change the products of inbreeding. Frankly, groups like Greenpeace and PETA are alright...well, they were alright before branches of them went bat-**** crazy.

[CMJ]

See, I really don't agree with much of any of PETA's proposals. If they bred better soundness in - alot of the breakdown issues would be solved. If they allowed European blood in it'd help - but I'm not sure if that's currently an option.