Eight Belles….
May 5, 2008I have been struggling since Saturday about what to write about this…but I knew I wanted to say so much. I was at a huge Derby Party in Denver watching the race with millions of others around the country when I was horrified to see the beautiful filly go down. I love horses as much as I love dogs, but had never put much thought into the horse racing issue. As a newbie to this animal rights stuff, I am taking one step at a time…after my trip to Greece last year I’ve been transforming one step at a time. I recently became a vegetarian after reading the best seller “Skinny B” about the meat industry. I have become much more vocal about my thoughts on animals where before I would sit silently not wanting to “upset” anyone by calling them out on the issues.
So rather than formulate my own words, I found someone who framed my thoughts perfectly….check it out and post your comments.
http://msn.foxsports.com/horseracing/story/8105724?MSNHPHCP>1=39002
I agree Heidi. Just before the race started I said to my Mother and Son..I have a bad feeling about this!!! I hope no one gets hurt!!(thinking of the horses of course!) It made me physically ill to watch and trust me.. I’ll never tune in again!!!
I give a lot of credit to the television stations for not replaying it. Each time the replayed the finish, they cut right before she goes down. No one needs to see it over and over again.
Of the 35,000 thoroughbreds born each year, ONE wins the Derby. Many, many end up at slaughter. Horse meat is considered desirable for human consumption in many countries. Even a Derby winner can end up at slaughter. Look up Ferdinand. Overbreeding is a huge problem, just as with dogs and cats. And ex-racehorses lucky enough find a home after their racing career often have significant mental problems as well as physical. They are never turned out during their racing careers. Many have been doped to enhance performace or to mask pain.
Synthetic turf may help reduce the injury rate. Waiting until they are mature would definitely help; their joints have not yet fused when they start racing. At present, fatalities like Eight Belles’ are occuring every day at race tracks around the country but this level of exposure is rare. If it results in some additional scrutiny for the sport, that’s a good thing.
RIP Eight Belles. She was a beauty.