Comments on: Horse Racing Is ‘Acceptable Abuse’

By: JACCD

JACCD — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:25:56 +0000

We don’t want to get rid of the industry but we would like to make some changes that would better the industry for all involved. With delaying training until the horses are fully developed, putting stricter punishments on drug regulations, changing tracks to safer synthetic surfaces we could make a huge difference. To find out more information and how you individually can make a difference visit our website at http://www.wix.com/jrhe227/jaccd15.

By: ali

ali — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:33:39 +0000

i recently went to world equestrian games in lexington.i got to see tiznow in person, you have NO idea how well these athletes are treated. i think horse racing is a great american sport. it brought us hope and inspired us during hard times. i think you should compare bad and good equally before stating such strong things.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:19:59 +0000

This is the main reason I became a vegan. Horse racing is just one example of humans trying to dominate and exploit a species. S

By: allison

allison — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:18:37 +0000

its sad so so so sad

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sat, 08 May 2010 20:32:32 +0000

Also, what alot of people do not realize in big barns and stables many times a mare is bred that isnt anywhere near “race” quality, for the sole purpose of helping the “race quality” mares with their foals. What happens to the foals of these mares?

Another huge issue is these horses are babies still when forced to train and run. a colt or filly doesnt become a stallion or a mare until 5 years of age. Why are these horses not allowed to even reach maturity when they would be faster better trained and fully developed.

All around horse racing needs some SERIOUS changes, in ethics, Breeders and trainers need to reevaluate themselves as human beings and SEE beyond dollar signs and start seeing the horses.

By: Roberta

Roberta — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 03:44:15 +0000

I also see some of the bits used seem to be pretty severe. I have seen pics of horses with their mouths cut and bleeding. That hurts me to see these animals whipped and abused.

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:48:29 +0000

I'm not an outsider at all, actually. For almost three years in high school and after I worked at a race barn (Quarter Horse, but the track has both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse races), which in my opinion makes me an insider. I was also on my way to getting an Equine Science degree from Colorado State University before I had a chance of heart. I well understand the breeding industry. I've also heard what the industry had to say about Eight Belles, and a lot of people in the know seem to believe that we are breeding the horses for a standard that makes them more and more delicate. Perhaps before you assume that no animal rights supporter could possibly know what they are talking about, you should ask. By the way, no one is debating that horses love to run. I have my own horse, an Appendix gelding - by a racer actually. He loves to run. He adores it actually. And he can do it all on his own, or for fun with me. He loves it just as much when he's not doing it for some human's profit. Horses do not have to have a human on their back to run. They do not need tack, or a jockey or a whip. They are actually hindered by all these things. So if the horse's pleasure at running is your only thought, then perhaps you should rethink your argument. ~ Recent blog post: “Extremism”? ~

By: Eccentric Vegan

Eccentric Vegan — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:23:42 +0000

I don’t doubt that Eight Belles loved to run.

I just think she should have been able to run without a human sitting on her back pushing her to go faster, without humans gambling on the outcome, and without humans willing to kill her because they’re not interested in spending the time or money to rehabilitate her.

That, and I don’t think she should have been bred for death, as it appears she was:
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/may/06/opinion/ed-horse6

By: Chuck Borell

Chuck Borell — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:30:08 +0000

What you don’t understand being an outsider in racing is that biggest issue is we do not breed for soundness any longer. Eight Belles sire, Unbridled Song consistently throws horses with soundness issues. They are weak in the front end. Yet his book of mares is still full every year. No trainer wants their horse to break down. The thoroughbred industry is trying to help this issue by the use of polytrack etc. You can say what you want, but those racehorses.. especially ones like Eight Belles, Barbaro or this years Rachel Alexandra. They love to run. You can’t stop them.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHqYW7xOsIo That rider is doing all he can to try and hold her back. I agree we do treat some racehorses terribly especially at the lower priced racetracks. However at Eight Belles level with that class of trainer, they are treated like royalty. You really have no idea.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:42:31 +0000

I am embarassed to be a human being. The way we’ve been exploiting and abusing animals for centuries is sickening. We use them for our own selfish gains and then toss them aside when they’re no longer of any use to us. From wildlife to the alleged “sport” of horse racing, it’s all about pleasing whatever selfish desires humans seek. I read a comment on another website, pertaining to the welfare of race horses, from a 16 year old boy who said we’ve earned the right being on the top of the food chain to use animals, just as the Bald Eagle earned the right to eat snakes. That boy has got a lot to learn! Animals in the wild work off of instinct and don’t make rational choices when it comes to food. Not to mention, they aren’t tormenting those animals for their own entertainment.