Through a FOIA request to the California Horse Racing Board, I have obtained the following details on some of that state’s kills last year (more can be found here).
I’ll Do It for You, Aug 24, Santa Rosa T
“Disarticulated fetlock, [multiple] torn ligaments, complete rupture of joint capsule.” Also: “severe osteochondral disease [both hind limbs; note: other limbs were not examined].” I’ll Do It for You was six years old.
Gardees World, Sep 20, Golden Gate S
“Left hind that abscessed with necrotizing bacterial wound.” Gardees was five years old.
Captain Maverick, Oct 15, Santa Anita T
“The most important findings were the complete fractures of both proximal sesamoid bones, with completely torn deep digital flexor tendon and several ligaments of the RF leg, as well as the complete fracture of the third carpal bone of the LF leg.” That’s two broken legs. Also: “stomach ulcers.” Then this: “Early degenerative changes in the subchondral bone, e.g., osteopenia, like in this case, resulting from repetitive impact trauma by racing or training, are thought to precede the fractures of the carpal bones.” How early were those degenerative changes? Captain was two years old. Two years old.
Nestucka, Nov 10, Santa Anita T
“Complete, displaced, comminuted fractures of both proximal sesamoid bones, with rupture of the deep digital flexor tendon and joint capsule, and [multiple] torn ligaments.” Also: “osteochondral disease [both front limbs].” Nestucka, also, was just two years old.
Promisemeparadise, Nov 26, Golden Gate T
“Horse worked five furlongs, was galloping out, dropped at 5/8 pole, and died.” Also: “There was severe gastric ulcer, although this was thought not to be related to the cause of death.” Promisemeparadise was three years old.
Torquewrench, Nov 30, Santa Anita T (euth Dec 6)
“Sustained leg injury training Nov 30. Surgery Dec 1. Colic Dec 3. Severe ulcerative colitis Dec 4-6. Euthanized Dec 6.” Torquewrench was three years old.
Well, you know what Fred and Joan, they’ve been doing that to Quarter Horses for a long time before I discovered it.
I think people get bored with whatever they’re doing with and/or to their horses and they want to go to the next extreme no matter how unnatural and unreal and unacceptable and sadistically painful and cruel it is to the horse.
One other example of several examples is in Dressage. Dressage is supposed to be “calm” and forward movement; Peace and Harmony between Horse and Rider. At some point, some people in Dressage took it to the extreme; “Flexion at the poll” so that the face of the horse is not vertical but rather the horse’s chin is almost touching his or her chest. This is extremely painful to the horse. It’s torture to the horse! It isn’t peace and it isn’t harmony at all. It’s just straight up abuse! It’s called “rollkur” and it should never be done to any horse because it is absolutely unnecessary and it’s torturous abuse to the horses. It’s definitely not horsemanship! It’s abuse!
This is part of the reason I think maybe they just get bored with whatever they were doing and take it to the next extreme. It’s sickening what people are capable of doing to amuse themselves!
Absolutely barbaric! Are there any equine activities that don`t harm horses? Beginning to wonder. Did not know that about Western reining classes, Wanda.
For an example of cruelty to horses outside of racing is the Western reining horse show classes where, instead of being true horsemen who can handle a horse without causing the horse whatever discomfort that makes them switch their tail, and since the rider will lose points if their horse switches his or her tail during a reining class, they cut the muscle so the horses cannot lift or switch their tail.
I can’t even describe how that makes me feel without using a lot of expletives!
It’s horrifying and sad what kind of people can become licensed veterinarians and what motivates them more than Animal Welfare.
Most of the vets we have held horses for were only in it for the $$, not for true horse care in our experience. Same is true for outside racing industry as well.
I can sort of understand how a veterinarian can be sucked into this muck, but I don’t understand how the regulating body that allegedly holds Doctors of Veterinary Medicine accountable to certain standards (allegedly) can allow veterinarians to continue to be licensed if they make their living in an industry that knowingly practices foul play on horses everyday of the week.
I still do NOT understand how any veterinarian can work at a racetrack.
They will probably say it’s contamination, of course the meth using groom urinated in the stall! Funny how a human can urinate a small amount, and a horse is going to eat that particular hay, and the horse will test positive hours or days later. SMH. And the pathetic industry accepts that as an excuse.
That horse was sure not Promised Paradise! Ironic name. Not surprised by Meth + Seems like RX are everywhere today.
I read yesterday a trainer’s horses tested positive for METH …WTAF
All of the people involved in this morally depraved abuse and killing of horses should be wearing orange jumpsuits and kept behind bars and only let out in shackles.