The (Equibase) note from the 1st at Presque Isle yesterday: “FORS FORTIS was squeezed back at the start, trailed to the second turn, took a bad step, was pulled up and euthanized on the track.” And that, is that. Just another expendable, trashable commodity – destroyed, as it were, for $2 bets and a racino-jacked pot of gold.
Fors Fortis – made, February 12, 2012…killed, May 24, 2016
This is horseracing.
Exactly what do you expect , a full Obit ?
Your comment shows your distinct lack of compassion.
Rose, the horse racing industry would have to have an entirely separate newspaper to provide enough space for the daily deaths of racehorses either during training and/or racing. There are too many deaths to have just a separate obituary section.
Moreover, any obituary on any given racehorse could be something like this:
I was born to Mommy.
I was taken away from Mommy.
I cried, and cried for days.
The beautiful lush green paddock of the Kentucky Hills turned into a nightmare where I was forced to accept a rider, and saddle long before I was physically and mentally developed.
Then the pain started right away – my joints too under developed to accept the assignment forced on me.
I overheard them say they had to get me ready for a 2 year old in training sale so the injections begun.
It was so painful feeling that needle going into my fetlock joint, but I came to know that the show must go on so that people can make money off of me.
I was pumped up with drugs to perform my 1/4 mile time for the buyers.
I thought I got lucky when the rich lady bought me – she would surely give me the rest I needed.
I was wrong.
I was sent to a horrible Trainer who continued their doping regime.
At night I would dream about the beautiful pasture I once had that has now turned into a 23 hour prison in a small stall.
The pounding, doping, and pain continued as this new Trainer wanted to make sure I would perform.
I came to hate my life. It was horrific, but I had no choice.
Anytime I was ever let out of the stall is was to run around in circles for people to wager on me.
I was in so much pain by the time I reached 3 my life became a doping cocktail either in my body or in my feed.
I hated the bitter taste of my feed with all the supplements in it.
I stopped eating, then I started to get thin.
I could no longer give anymore. I was physically and mentally spent.
I tried telling them this. You would think they would see my swollen inflamed joint, my sore feet full of heat, and my nasty attitude that I came to develop.
It didn’t matter. They needed the money so on I went.
They slapped a very harsh bit in my mouth to force me to submit, it was cutting the inside of my cheek, and then they started whipping me really hard when I tried to slow down, and protect myself.
I used to talk to my other buddies in the other stalls at night.
They were going through their own living hell.
The last time I left my stall, I knew I wouldn’t make this next race.
My body was in shambles – the dope not working anymore.
I knew that I would either breakdown or die, but I had to go. I had no choice.
I took one last look at my buddy next to me, and I wished him the best.
He wept as I walked away.
Then I died laying in the dirt for $2 bets.
No surprise coming from someone who supports the slaughter industry.
I here these just about everyday and then the comments flow in on how terrible it is. Instead of talking about it, is there a group that I can join that actually does something about it? protest? fight back??
The facts, and comments are necessary in order to educate people about this cruelty circus, and death camp.
Now, I’ve given specific steps for people to help shut down or greatly reduce this industry resulting in less deaths.
1. Support Decoupling. Very important. Florida is on the verge of passing decoupling which will eliminate the mandatory requirement for casinos to run live racing venues, and hand over profits from the casino. This is the main source of financing for racetracks, without which they could no longer operate. We expect to see a domino effect. Florida is just the beginning.
2. Cancel the Interstate Horse Racing Act. This Act was supposed to be temporary – another life line thrown out to this dying industry years ago. It has never been cancelled, or audited! Yet, it generates billions in wagering income with little or no oversight, and little or no taxes.
3. Don’t watch or wager on horse racing.
4. Educate.
5. If you happen to rescue a OTTB, record the tattoo number on the upper lip. Once you get the racing name, post it here, and contact the Breeder and connections of the horse. Don’t expect anything from them, but inform then that their horse was at a kill auction, make them somewhat responsible for the horse that they dumped along the way.
This is a very effective plan to greatly reduce the irresponsible over breeding, reduce racehorses dying for $2 bets.
How very sad but true your poem above is! We have ridden horses at the track with precisely those conditions. We always galloped them as slowly and gently as we could despite the horse peoples laughs and sneers.That is one reason we quit the racing industry in 2005 and will never go back! We have never wagered on horses either. We were only involved because we wanted to work and learn and ride thoroughbreds.
Ed: I have those same questions, also. I did find a petition where Peta is trying to take measures about penalties about doping and the way it is overseen. https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=536 I did sign. Right now Florida, Texas, Kansas, and West Virginia are on the line of decoupling. It could go either way. Letters to the Senators and delegates would be very helpful.
The biggest problem is that the racing industry tries it’s best to protect and shield the truth from the public. The biggest problem for the racing industry are people like you, that are willing to care, comment, google, look for the truth. The truth is starting to come out, slowly but it is seeing daylight.
What makes this site so important, is the work Patrick has done. I cannot begin to express the huge impact this will have going on to the future. Because of Patrick’s tireless, and meticulous work, the facts and statistics cannot be ignored. Never in all my years in the industry, have I seen anything like this. Trust me, these lists have them quaking in their boots. This is cold hard evidence. The kind that stands up in court. I do believe, in the near future, animal cruelty charges will be brought forward on the racing industry.
I look to what Gina has had to say. The quickest way I do believe is to support decoupling. I’m sure there is more out there. I only commented on things I am aware of.