Comments on: PETA Says Horseracing = Dog Fighting. They’re Wrong.

By: equine laminitis

equine laminitis — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:40:25 +0000

PETA is completely ridiculous, yes it is sad that the horse was put down and nobody wants to see that but it surely wasn’t because of neglect. These race horses, especially the ones who race in the big races are treated better than most humans. They are professional athletes and are cared for by the best in the business. Occasionally a tragic accident like this happens but its not enough for PETA to cry foul.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 04:10:36 +0000

Quote from Marcus “If you only looked to see how many racing facilities and horses are out there, you would know that they can be bought by gamblers on the race. These horses are then cared for on the cheap in hopes to make the new owner a quick buck.”

Where did you work in the industry?? I am an owner/trainer and I can honestly tell you their care is not “on the cheap”.

Peta is nothing more than a bunch of loud-mouthed radical idiots who do not have a clue what they are talking about.

By: Lilly

Lilly — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:34:13 +0000

I also believe that dog fighting and horse races are wrong!! :-(

By: Steven

Steven — Sun, 18 May 2008 06:30:01 +0000

Many unprofitable horses are euthanized by their owners for a $60 fee—it’s a business, and the killing of unwanted horses happens on a regular basis.

Also, it is true that U.S. race horses get sold to buyers who sell off the horses for meat that will end up on Japanese and European dinner tables. There’s a report on this on HBO Realsports that aired on May 12th, 2008.

According to a May 2008 interview on PBS’ Newshour, U.S. trainers are totally dependent on drugs when it comes to the development of a winning horse. It’s more than feasible that there’s a direct correlation between unnatural drug-induced muscle mass and the strain it puts on the bones of racehorses.

Check out my May 14th, 2008 post on this issue—it will enlighten.

By: an0n1 m0us

an0n1 m0us — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:02:27 +0000

endangering the health and/or lives of animals for human entertainment is wrong, simple as that.

It’s irrelevant how much apparent care the horse racing industry might give to horses. In the end they endanger the lives of those horses each and every time they race.

Those in the equine industry seem to think a bond forms between horses and humans that supercedes whatever activity humans choose to put horses through. This is false. Unless a soul can have free choice, there is no real bond. All horses have their spirit ‘broken’ or tamed according to human desires. Once this is done any horse/human relationship becomes one of master and slave, just like brainwashing if you replaced a horse with the human.

People need to wake up to one cold hard fact: ‘the sport of kings’ is exactly that – there to make rich Mr Burns-style fat cats even more wealthy until they feel like genuine kings.

Take the money away and few people would bother racing horses.

By: Semirhage527

Semirhage527 — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:42:25 +0000

I’m no PETA fan, but I have to agree with them on this issue. It’s great that horsetrainers love the horses — unlike dog fighters — but if the industry really cared about the health of these animals, they wouldn’t race them before their bones fully formed. Postponing horse racing by just a few years would do wonders for the animals and their bone development. I suppose we’d rather see that extra speed of a 3 year old horse, than show concern for the well-being of the animals.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:57:34 +0000

Just one bone of contention…while Barbaro’s injury, temporary recovery and eventual tragic end were endlessly covered in the media, I don’t think it can fairly be called a “publicity stunt.” The Jacksons who owned Barbaro didn’t hold a single press conference; they were forced into them by public demand. The staff who treated him didn’t consider it a lost cause or a stunt to do so–they thought they could save him. And the people who sent cheesy, sappy letters of condolence included contributions which may have changed the future of injuries like the one Eight Belles experienced.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:36:28 +0000

The one thing that People always forget when they mention horse racing are the people who actually look after the horses. Not the owners, who often never see their horses unless they’re in a race, not the trainers, who might have anywhere from 10 to 100 horses or more in their care but the grooms.
On the track each groom has usually between four to six horses in their care, and while there are many grooms that do care for their horses, there are just as many who don’t know what they are doing and habitually abuse their charges. Take that literally. As a Thoroughbred groom I’ve seen horses whipped until they have hematoma, beaten with pitchforks (handles and tines) and punched in the face repeatedly. All in the standard course of the day. I repeat THIS IS NORMAL for horse racing.
DO NOT think that this is a reflection of where I have worked or who my employers were at the time. This is an unofficial industry standard visible on the back stretch of any track in North America, from Woodbine to Calder. Don’t believe me? Go and look.
I realize that this is not a comprehensive description of all trainers and Stables, but it fairly describes the majority of big racing outfits. To them horses are a commodity that are disposed if they cannot perform.
As for the false generalization that the owners love their horses, While this may be true for the smaller outfits, or people who only own a few. I guarantee right now that if you visit any big farm you will see horses that are not even named until they are two years old or ready for sale or race, whose owners only recognize as a fluctuating total, individually worthless unless they are bred well or winning something.
On the track owners almost never come in too see their horses unless they win something or are training especially well and this is encouraged by trainers who don’t want those few owners with scruples to see how the animals are being treated.
Even If you disbelieve everything I’ve said, the immutable fact is that to train a racehorse you need to take an animal who has evolved to spend up to 18 hrs. a day walking around and grazing, and intentionally stress them by placing them in a 12×12 stall for 23 hrs of the day, only letting them out to train. It’s up to you to decide if this is cruel.

By: Ashley Joyce

Ashley Joyce — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:49:18 +0000

I see a couple of typos in my post. Sorry about that. I will remember to proofread my posts in the future. Thanks for your understanding.

By: Ashley Joyce

Ashley Joyce — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:46:34 +0000

It is funny to me, that so many people don’t understand PETA, (not PITA) it’s,
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Although history has shown many radical, so called PETA events, like spray painting fur jackets, but the PETA of today is different.

It is my opinion, that the goal of PETA to educate humans on the unethical treatment of animals, in hopes they will help animals, since animals can’t help themselves. And to then to take that education and teach friends and family.

PETA is bringing awareness. Whether you like PETA or not. Whether you think Horse Racing is like Dog fighting or not, isn’t the point. The point is that someone has to speak up for animals.

You’ll notice at the end of the post, Ben writes, “You see, the new wave in horse racing, and the safest surface yet, is polytrack, a plastic turf that absorbs the shock of a giant, running animal, crashing down on it.” This suggests to me that someone in the horse racing world is moving in the right direction, looking for more ethical ways to treat race horses. Perhaps the person implementing polytrack, understands PETA. It looks like, although Ben hates PETA, he too is in favor of treating the race horses more ethically.

You should visit the new PETA, for today’s young supporters: http://www.peta2.com/

co-Founder of PETA: http://www.ingridnewkirk.com/