A day after it lost two horses on the same card, Louisiana Downs was back at it again Friday night. In the 6th race, a multi-horse crash left four on the turf. Officially (Equibase), all “walked off,” but it would hardly surprise if when I receive Louisiana’s FOIA documents I find that one or more of the horses ended up dead.
The replay (“Replays,” September 18, race 6):
https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-louisiana-downs/racing/live-racing#.Vf1S9N9VhBd
These horses seemed to start incredibly fast and kept up the pace for quite a while – I just couldn’t believe how fast they were going. In my opinion, that jockey on the Rebel horse set far too fast a pace and it was no wonder half the field couldn’t keep up, they caught up only when the pace slackened a bit.
A shocking collision and the horse that went under the rail looked the worst but the camera came off and racecaller mentioned multiple horses loose, I saw one. The first horse that came down was coming 3rd on the rails and the pressure was on, and at that stage of the race they were being vigorously beaten with whips when they were seriously fatigued and it just makes me so angry with this relentless whipping forcing the horses to go faster and faster when they’re bloody well stuffed! I believe that whipping is a significant factor/cause for injury/death and incidents such as this horrific one. Horse that first came down might’ve possibly clipped heels because it looked very tight where he was on the rails and then all those others, OMG one of the worst I’ve seen. If ALL these horses that went down survived then I’d be surprised. When it happens with the first horse going down when it’s up the front then it’s absolute mayhem for the horses/riders behind because they’re going at such fast speed.
I saw horses being whipped on the home turn – how wicked when the horses are quickly tiring and endeavouring to balance themselves on a bend. I’d really like to find out if the first horse down suffered a limb injury causing him to go down, clipped heels or just tripped and fell because of extreme exhaustion!
It is INSANELY SICK!!!
Carolyn McDonald – Do you mind if I copy your response and add it to my page (as part of this article): Carolyn Hyatt – A Citizen Against Doping and Mistreatment Against Race Horses? Thank you.
Carolyn Hyatt – just looked at your FB page, really good! The photos are compelling. What more evidence does the racing industry need……. leaves me speechless. I’ve tried to tick the like buttons on the articles you’ve put up but for some reason it’s not working. Might be from here or possibly your end, anyway just thought i’d mention it and will attempt again another day.
Carolyn McDonald – Thank you.
By all means Carolyn, be my guest. Could you possibly send me a copy of your article when done. Patrick has my email address and he can give it to you.
Carolyn, Thank you for letting me use your reply regarding Patrick’s “article”. I am not writing an article but I have a page on Facebook, Carolyn Hyatt – A Citizen Against Doping and Mistreatment Against Race Horses. I share Patrick’s articles on the page. Not many people visit my page but I try to keep it updated. I don’t spend money on “boosting” my page. But I wanted to work in your reply because you watched the video and your heart went out to these poor horses. I tried to watch the video but you need Flash and my iPad does not have that feature. Thank you.
Will visit your FB page – thank you.
http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=LAD&raceDate=09/18/2015&cy=USA&rn=6
The name of the horse that first fell was SOCIAL PRIZE and it clipped heels with another (racing tight).
Valid Wolf and Heavenly O were the other two horses that fell and Not Intimidated veered off and lost rider.
No disclosure as to the post race vettings. In my view, at the very least, the fallen horses would’ve suffered a degree of bruising, likely suffered abrasions/cuts and also stress fractures are a possibility as well as other injuries. Needless to say the horses would not have found this incident a pleasant one.
In a similar type incident I once saw, one horse died on the track, the other two suffered injuries, one came back for just a few starts and disappeared and the other had about 12 months off, resumed racing but only for a couple of starts and then disappeared. And that incident was as a result of “careless riding”. One jockey suffered serious head injuries but survived.
My point is, these 3 horses might get up and walk away but that does not mean all is well with them. 24/7 self preservation, they immediately get up on all fours and seek refuge from an environment that threatens their welfare.
Excellent, Carolyn.