Tragedy at the Kentucky Derby

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:07 pm

Not with TWO broken, and very rarely even with one. The problem

comes when they have to keep the weight off those hooves, the

extra weight is transferred to the other hooves, and they develop

laminitis and all sorts of things. That's what happened to Barbaro,

the first leg he broke healed (although it looked AWFUL) but the

weight put on the others ruined them.

They are experimenting, and every time they work with one they

learn more, but still...

They can't just sling horses for that time it takes to heal, the

pressure on the internal organs is too great...

Rest in Peace Eight Belles, you courageous girl.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:16 pm

This is one reason why I don't like horse racing.

watermark · Post by **watermark** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:30 pm

This is why I'm not a supporter of animal racing in general, though when they race the animals seem to enjoy it. Grayhound dogs suffer limb problems like horses do, though they seem to survive with their injuries. However they have hard time finding homes. At any rate I don't like seeing animals pushed beyond their limits. Too competitive of a sport all in all.

Very sad about the horse. :-1

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:36 pm

RedGlitter;855933 wrote: This is one reason why I don't like horse racing.

You know, I've loved it for so many years, but having this happen

I have to ask myself how I can support it (by watching) any more.

Every so often there are rumblings about letting the horses wait

another year before their first race, but nothing comes of it.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:41 pm

Oh that is so tragic:-1 I adore horses and think that they are such beautiful animals:-4

watermark · Post by **watermark** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:41 pm

valerie;855946 wrote: I have to ask myself how I can support it (by watching) any more.

You know I think that's why I don't watch these races. The first and last time I attended a horse race was in Arizona about ten years ago. I looked at all the beautiful horses and tried to pick the winner just by sizing them up. Didn't gamble or anything.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sat May 03, 2008 8:11 pm

valerie;855946 wrote: You know, I've loved it for so many years, but having this happen

I have to ask myself how I can support it (by watching) any more.

Every so often there are rumblings about letting the horses wait

another year before their first race, but nothing comes of it.

I understand. I've only been to one and that was as a kid. It was exciting sure, but at what price to the horses?

Not long ago I watched a documentary about the people in the horse world, the ones who breed them and the ones who own them for racing. This one group of sad sacks was killing the horses for the insurance money. I'm sure not everybody in the business would do such a thing of course, but you know....killing an animal because it broke its bones in a race YOU put him in...that doesn't set well with me at all.

Erin, I know what you mean. I don't like grey racing either. What they do to those dogs when they can't race anymore is criminal.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat May 03, 2008 9:51 pm

Tragic and It just make me sad that they had to put the horse down. :-1

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun May 04, 2008 9:38 am

It is a tragedy-a very muddy track, and two broken ankles means the horse is in horrible pain. :-1

Trunk Monkey · Post by **Trunk Monkey** » Sun May 11, 2008 12:35 pm

I so agree about the horse. I adopted a Greyhound (who has since passed away) but with Greyhounds if they get hurt or don't qualify for a race they are thrown away in trash bins or worse, tied up and left to starve to death. Animals are not meant to be racing for "human pleasure" they are meant to be pets and a part of a loving and caring family :-1 (just my opinion).

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Sun May 11, 2008 1:38 pm

i cannot remember for the life of me what the horse was called now but he won the grand national quite a few years ago and was found, some time later, starving to death in a field............

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sun May 11, 2008 2:19 pm

Was it Hallo Dandy, Helen? Would you remember if I said the name?

dubs · Post by **dubs** » Sun May 11, 2008 5:32 pm

RedGlitter;855933 wrote: This is one reason why I don't like horse racing.

I can't stand any so called sport involving animals, and the Grand National, here in the UK is one of the most disgusting events of the "sporting" year!

http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/CAMPAIGNS/horse/ALL///

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:22 pm

Trunk Monkey;862949 wrote: I so agree about the horse. I adopted a Greyhound (who has since passed away) but with Greyhounds if they get hurt or don't qualify for a race they are thrown away in trash bins or worse, tied up and left to starve to death. Animals are not meant to be racing for "human pleasure" they are meant to be pets and a part of a loving and caring family :-1 (just my opinion).

An opinion I very much respect and echo, TrunkMonkey.

Helen;862981 wrote: i cannot remember for the life of me what the horse was called now but he won the grand national quite a few years ago and was found, some time later, starving to death in a field............

That's disgusting Helen! I was watching a documentary on the horse world and apparently there are quite a few people who have their horses killed for insurance money. I can't comprehend such a thing.

dubs;863070 wrote: I can't stand any so called sport involving animals, and the Grand National, here in the UK is one of the most disgusting events of the "sporting" year!

http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/CAMPAIGNS/horse/ALL///

Wow! Dubs, that's some awful stuff! Just seeing those horses go down on their necks- terrible!!