Through a FOIA request to the Louisiana Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills on that state’s tracks last year. Please note, however, that the response (as usual) came with this: “The Louisiana Racing Commission does not track or maintain a list of deaths that occur during training hours as those are more often than not handled between the trainer and their private veterinarian.” Neither, of course, did we get stall deaths. So, the true toll is greater than the 39 reported (this is part 2; part 1 here).
Dlj Thrill Me Eagle, Jul 4, Delta R – “fell: axial fracture”
Dlj was three years old.
You Know Why, Jul 4, Delta R – “[multiple] fractures”
You Know Why was two years old.
Always Ace, Jul 6, Delta R – “proximal bone fracture”
Always Ace was five years old.
Lightemupwithcharm, Jul 12, Delta R – “displaced, comminuted P1 fracture”
Lightemup was 10 years old. 10.
Aspen Club, Aug 7, Louisiana R – “[multiple] comminuted fractures, severe disarticulation”
Aspen was six years old.
Sweet Little Rose, Aug 9, Evangeline R – “heatstroke”
Sweet Little Rose was six years old.
More Ice, Aug 12, Louisiana R – “[multiple] fractures”
More Ice was eight years old.
Rock Solid Words, Aug 28, Louisiana R – “[multiple] comminuted fractures”
Rock Solid was five years old.
Kryptic, Sep 14, Fair Grounds R – “pulmonary hemorrhage – external”
Kryptic was three years old.
Rh Divino, Sep 14, Fair Grounds R – “[multiple] fractures”
Rh was two years old.
World War, Oct 11, Delta R – “fell: compound [through the skin] MC3 fracture”
World War was six years old.
Relentless Bling, Nov 1, Evangeline R – “trauma, paralysis, [died]” (chart: “went wrong”)
Relentless was two years old.
Malibu Money, Nov 13, Delta R – “open [through the skin] P1 fracture”
Malibu was five years old.
Gerard, Nov 15, Delta R – “fell: compound [through the skin] MC3 fracture” (see this)
Gerard was four years old.
Bling It K K, Nov 15, Delta R – “[multiple] fractures, rupture, severe disarticulation”
Bling It was three years old.
You Bux, Dec 11, Evangeline R – “severe, open fetlock disarticulation”
You Bux was two years old.
Sweet Bureaucracy, Dec 14, Evangeline R – “fell: acute femur fracture” (see this)
Sweet was two years old.
Desert Duke, Dec 26, Fair Grounds R – “pulmonary hemorrhage – sudden death”
Desert was four years old.
The practice of keeping young, still developing horses locked in stalls 23 hours a day and then demanding bursts of intense physical exertion is the #1 reason these horses break down so badly – their bones, joints, and muscles have no chance to build up gradually the way they were intended. Add to this their less-than-stellar diet and God only knows what drugs and substances they’re injected with, plus the morally reprehensible practice of pain blockers to keep horses running, and it’s a mystery to no one – including the pearl clutching, bemoaning failing racing industry – as to why hundreds of horses quite literally disintegrate during even the most innocuous of activities.
And that doesn’t take into account the abhorrent lack of anything resembling horsemanship when it comes to training and handling – the fact that these babies are flipping over in wash stalls and starting gates, and running blindly through fences and into walls and even each other is indisputable evidence of the harsh and abusive treatment accepted and, more disgustingly, condoned and excused, by the racing industry and their equally morally bankrupt apologists.
Veterinarians keep horses racing when they know the horse should no longer be near the track. They know they are destroying the skeletal systems; they know ulcers are eating through the lining of the digestive tract causing pain and often blood loss; they know a two year old should not be racing and they know horses should not be started every 2 weeks and often more frequently…
In summary, the veterinarians know better than anyone that racing kills horses and is inhumane in every way.
Wanda, from our experience 90% of private vets at the track are kept very busy keeping owner / trainers happy ensuring the poor, tired ,worn out young horses are galloping & racing. That`s why at our old track,Portland Meadows, there was 4 vets in am! Rode many young horses who greatly needed pasture rest that sadly they never received.
I feel certain that the “private” veterinarians are kept busy in the morning treachery against Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds in Louisiana.
I wonder how many of those private vets are breaking the laws regarding a legal and acceptable veterinary practice by catering to the depravity of forcing horses to run fast every day causing repetitive stress that logically leads to physical injuries to the horses AND THE DOPING of said horses that goes hand in hand with the forcing of repetitive stress on these same horses???