Insights: My Introspection On Cruelty
I’ve a confession to make. Each day as I log onto my stables, I am beffudled by how real my horses have become. I understand they ARE real to a point, but the voices in my head seem to be pulling into every conceivable direction. Some label me childish, others ridiculous, and the stricter ones just deem me insane. I tend to agree with all, and yet proceed to discard them as I go about my daily experience of fun, perhaps because the world of fantasy often supercedes the drama of what we consider real life.
A case in point, would be the cruelty that some owners subject their horses to. Many of us may know the recent account of Nitro Active, a descendant of the legendary Secretariat, who despite having won 200k in its racing career, was mercilessly discarded once the health problems began, and sold for 190 dollars to a mexican slaughterhouse.
It was only through the good will of Monika Kerber, that the horse escaped what seemed to be destiny.
It is estimated that in the UK alone, approximately 420 horses die each year as a result of different accidents, including fractures from spills in races, and heart attacks from the brutal training regimen which is precipitated before the horse has the appropriate physical maturity. A study done by the Animal Aid organization there, says that a horse can be whipped up to 30 times per race in different parts of its body.
It would seem that the average race horse is indeed running for much more than a purse.
Those that are saved from premature extinction, often times cannot be saved from the grueling toll the sport has had on their lives. The winner of the 1984 British Grand National, Hallo Dandy, was found years later in a field with scars and bruises all over its body. For those that wind up in good hands, the constant and expensive rehabilitation treatments can be quite the burden for all involved.
The list of cruelty and downright abuse goes on and on. There is an ongoing movement to help, through regulation and fiscal measures geared towards prevention.
Again, I am befuddled by how unreal some human beings have become. This time however, I would kindly ask you to become the voices in my head.
What is this really about?
Greed, corruption, malice or just plain ignorance?
Is the sport of horse racing violent by nature, or is that a biased and extremist view?
Do you have any ideas that could help prevent cruelty in the sport, or is it just an issue of human consciousness that transcends the sport, and you think nothing can be done?
If you think I’m just a goofball and a party pooper for bringing the subject up, go ahead and let me know as well.
For now, I’m just glad that my sim horses have no pain to deal with, even if sometimes they cause me a headache. Fiction can be stranger than truth, and many times, a lot kinder as well.
This regal animal deserves nothing but the very best of care, nutrition, medical treatment and a carefree retirement when its racing days are over. The excitement they bring to to kings and queens and general run of the mill folks alike is unparalleled. To watch a foal being born is a true wonder to real horse people, the anticipation of what lies ahead is palpable to horse lovers, racing enthusiasts and breeders all over the world. I truly believe a huge percentage of these people treat these great animals with respect and the love they so rightly deserve. The cold hard facts of real life also delivers some horrendous stories, but thank god it is in the minority. There are bad people in all walks of life, the horse industry is not alone in these regards, just look at the appalling acts people do to people. I have been to the races in Thailand which seems to be the end of the road for slow horses, little respect is shown to these worn out horses in general, not all but a large percentage. The sport of kings has no real meaning there. But I have traveled to other parts of the world where I have witnessed horse heaven, these horse have better lives than I do, lol. I have also trained all my horses like they were potential Olympians only to find out they wouldn’t make the grade. Decisions then need to be made, breed them, show horse, eventer, police horse, kids pony. lead pony, pony club and other possible ways of life. Sometimes there is just no option but to sell them to the slaughter house to make dog food and and other by products, just part of the cycle of life. The lucky ones get to live out their lives in a lush paddock, I wish life was all roses but sadly it isn’t. Enjoy these godly creatures and feel lucky to be part of this exciting past time.
Winston Churchill:
“The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.”
Those are some very educated and articulated words gcliffo, thanks for your comment. 🙂
Thank you billyboyx for your article and gcliffo for your response.
Both are insightful and moving reads IMO.
Thank you for your visit and comment as well.
Opening up a can of worms here Billy. What can I say but interesting topic. I work in the industry and I’d say the biggest problem are the owners. Most don’t even know which end the horse shites and which end eats. Decisions on horses are based on money rather than animal welfare.
Stewards and integrity bodies are there to regulate punting and ensure fairness to the punter but make no decisions that take into account animal welfare.
A racehorse unfortunately is a business commodity in many cases and once that commodity is no longer generating an income these animals (no matter how successful their racing careers are) are discarded. Mares are generally the exception as they are retained for breeding.
The problem is many fold and a big issue and I can only really speak of the Australian scenario as I have no experience abroad where I believe there are much bigger problems…… like Asia. I wont say anymore here.
I personally know of group winning horses here that have been on the slaughterhouse truck at the end of their careers as heartless owners eye off their next purchases.
I’d say the issue is multifactorial but predominantly an issue of money, greed and ignorance.
That’s the negative side of the industry. There are also many fantastic owners and stables that care for their horses like their own family.
Its unfortunately the minority that make the headlines.
I will finish with this quote which I like a lot;
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
I do believe that human beings are good by nature, even though the world as it stands may not be the best reflection of that. Perhaps a bigger issue here would be the use of a sentient being as a business commodity, which by default could be easily countered by the fact that this is already happening to each one of us. We did have somewhat of a choice in that matter, however, so that in my view constitutes the big difference. Then again, we may just be building castles in the air of negativity, when most of the owners do the best they can in the care and treatment of these athletes.
I thank you for your comment.
First off.. the cure for this is: The Thoroughbred race horse should be earning through his purse earnings.. something for himself. something for his own retirement.. even if it’s just a modest dowry that will feed it for life.. or the money for its humane end and proper dignified disposal. It has to be earned for himself because many many owners dont care what happens to the animal after its usefulness as a racer is over… So do but who is going to keep track of that.. nobody..!
Racing commissions and governing bodies from each state or country .. should know exactly where all its athletes are and what condition they are in and if nothing else a panel of people that dont own the horse should oversee every horse when it has an injury.. First to decide if it is career ending.. second.. what are the owners plans for the animal.. 3rd can it lead a normal life after it heals from its injuries… if not.. make arrangements to have the animal put out of its misery and disposed of at the expence of the racing owner before it get shipped away from the race track and its control.. and the horse is sold or given to a horse slaughter broker or worse someone who cant afford to take care of it or feed it properly..
No horse should be able to leave the track with no hope.. its broken down.. usefulness is over..no quality of life.. why let this animal off the grounds to die a horrible death in or on the way to a slaughterhouse…
Shame on them all for not even thinking what might happen to these beautiful animals once they are out of sight of racing officials..
I become a sycopath when I see a thoroughbred with a tatoo in a holding pen for a killer auction.. and I see them every week… and the way it is now.. everyone can look at each other like..i gave the horse away.. to a girl.. i have no idea how she got in the kill pen.. and everyone knows how to fill in the blanks for the POOR trainer.. these kinds of horses should have never been able to get off the grounds with the owner doing the right thing… no one is watching out for the horses.. no one..!
Irish
So many things upside down in this world of ours…..so many things…..
First off.. the cure for this is: The Thoroughbred race horse should be earning through his purse earnings.. something for himself. something for his own retirement.. even if it’s just a modest dowry that will feed it for life..
Irish, this is a great idea… but to emphasize how much money trumps decency in our culture, you could make a similar argument for Division I football players… how bout health insurance for life, considering they are risking their bodies with permanent repercussions? At least humans can speak for themselves, collectively bargain, go on strike or transfer schools, etc.
all I know is you don’t shoot your kids if they are no good at sports anymore as they grow older and when you own a horse you have the responsibility of his care when his career is done point blank do the best you can to get it in a good place they do exist . I do
I agree. Thanks for the comment.
I owned 4 horses in my lifetime. Not race horses. Most came to me at age 8. I made a lifetime commitment/promise to all of them. I’ll love and care fro them til the very end. I stood by my promise. All lived to be in their early thirties. They’re all buried on my property. Except for one, I hand dug their graves and buried them. With no help. Quite a chore, but labor fo love.
Congrats Camelot, that’s a beautiful way to live. 🙂