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 (previous installments here).
O B’s, Jan 27, Golden Gate R
“[Multiple] complete, displaced, open [through skin] fractures; [multiple] torn ligaments and tendons [I counted 10]; rupture of the fetlock joint capsule.” Also: “osteochondral disease [both front limbs].” O B’s was three years old.
Dardick Vic, Apr 5, Cal Expo R
“Catastrophic P1 fracture: complete, displaced, comminuted, with at least 10 variably-shaped fragments; complete tear of the fetlock joint capsule; [multiple] incomplete ligament tears.” Dardick was four years old.
Buffalo Run, Apr 5, Santa Anita T
“Horse pulled up due to lameness: complete, displaced, comminuted (11 fragments) tibia fracture; complete, displaced, comminuted fibula fracture; severe hemorrhage of the surrounding muscles and soft tissue.” “Lameness” was an understatement. Also, in the “relevant history” section: “horse lame LH [same leg that was ultimately obliterated], Sep ’22; lame RF, Dec ’22.” Buffalo Run was four years old and being prepped for his first race.
Shadow Creek, May 14, Santa Anita S
“Fever spikes, severe signs of colitis and colic of 24-hour duration. Died [no mention of euthanasia, so this could’ve been one of those ‘found dead’].” Shadow was four years old.
Monarch Girl, May 18, Santa Anita S
“Fever on and off since May 13. Became tucked up May 18, then acutely ataxic and progressed to recumbent in 3-4 hrs. Euthanized.” Final diagnosis included “spinal cord abscess, bacterial meningitis, viral encephalitis, pneumonia, infection, sepsis.” Monarch Girl was four years old and being prepped for her first race.
Abusing horses for a living and calling themselves horsemen is what these gruesome details indicate.
The four-year-old MONARCH GIRL had to have been severely neglected to have been so sick and should not have been at a racetrack.
Exploiting horses for racing is one of the most disgusting trades in existence. It’s absolutely disgraceful that anyone can abuse and neglect horses and call themselves horsemen. This is not horsemanship.