Through a FOIA request to the California Horse Racing Board, I have obtained the following details on some of that state’s kills this year.
Press On, Jan 20, Santa Anita T
“[Multiple] complete, comminuted fractures; [multiple] ligament/tendon ruptures.” Also: “palmar osteochondral disease [both front limbs].” Also: two previous surgeries – left carpus, Jun ’21; right ankle, Apr ’22. Press On was just three years old.
Feeling Well, Jan 25, Los Alamitos T
“Catastrophic left scapula fracture with severe hemorrhage.” Also: “palmar osteochondral disease [both front limbs]; gastric ulceration.” Feeling Well was just two years old, and she was being prepped for her first race.
Party Game, Feb 1, Santa Anita T
“[Multiple] open [through skin], complete, comminuted fractures.” Also: “palmar osteochondral disease [both front limbs].” Also: “horse had previous surgery for RF cannon fracture in Apr ’21.” Yes, that’s the same bone that was fatally re-fractured. This would be one of those Stronach-inspired “repairs” that ultimately failed. And the horse suffered for it. Party Game was four years old.
Mia Casa, Feb 13, Los Alamitos S
While the cause of death here was undetermined, it was noted that “the horse died following history of getting cast, thrashing and stuck in stall.” Of note, Mia suffered from “colitis, chronic ulcers, and large numbers of tapeworms.” She was four years old.
It’s tells you everything you need to know about the care these horses get when they are infested with worms and covered in bot fly eggs, to say nothing about the 99 percentile with gastric ulcers, degenerative joint disease, and osteoarthritis – in f***ing two-year olds.
Boy do I agree with you Rebecca. The deaths and maladies these poor horses have could be solved with one simple dewormer or other vet procedures to offer a solution to these problems. If you can’t take proper care of your animals or children then don’t frigging have them. And someday when you need assistance because you’re dependent good luck!
The Irish Derby ran this morning. San Antonio dead. Jockey to hospital because he fell so bad. So this travesty is world wide.
Monmouth race 4 today. Replay looks like 2 horses went down. No way there will be a civil outcome.
Horseracing is cruel in any and every state and country. The Animal Welfare Code of California, Section 1902.5, need to be applied to the Stronach Group as well as the rest of the people in this egregiously barbaric and cruel industry.
This whole industry being allowed to operate above the law is wrong!!!!!!!
Is it “normal” for a lot of racehorse to have disease in their limbs?
Emma, I wouldn’t say that it’s “normal” for so many young racehorses to have diseases in their limbs, but I would say that it’s common. The bone diseases are exacerbated by the routine cruelty of forcing young, not fully matured colts and fillies to gallop almost daily, if not daily, while carrying a whip-wielding rider on their backs.
This inexcusable neglect is part of the sordid abuse of these horses. The abuse is irrefutably documented but what is being done about it??!!
Absolutely disgusting people at all levels!
I am very disappointed with the owners of the horses. If they really cared for their horses, they would treat them as family members and not expose them to the evil sport of horseracing.