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).
Visual Display, Sep 1, Ferndale R
“Pulled up lame post-race: [multiple] ruptured muscles with detachment.” Also: “bilateral epistaxis [bleeding from both nostrils].” Also: “stomach ulcers.” Visual was 12 years old. 12.
Tazmanian Devil, Nov 5, Santa Anita S
“Horse was treated with antibiotics and NSAIDS for hock infection and died spontaneously – hemorrhages in several organs.” Also: “degenerative joint disease in both hind fetlocks.” Tazmanian was two years old and being prepped for his first race.
Lady Derby, Dec 6, Los Alamitos R
“Collapsed while cooling out [after race] and died spontaneously – sudden death syndrome.” Lady was six years old.
Alvarez, Dec 30, Santa Anita S
“RH: complete, open, displaced, comminuted tibia fracture; complete, open, displaced, comminuted fibula fracture; tearing of vessels and muscle fibers. LH: complete, displaced, severely comminuted P1 fracture; complete fragmentation of MT3.” The report added: “At 6:30 pm, other riders noticed broken legs and called owner.” Total destruction of two legs. At the time of his death, Alvarez was being used as a “pony horse.” That poor boy.
ALVAREZ being used as a pony horse is “discovered” (?) in his stall with multiple fractures in both hind legs???
How do these completely illogical atrocities happen? It sounds like some hoodlum hitman took a hammer to the horse in his stall. What explanation is there for such a horrific atrocity as this?