Through a FOIA request to the Utah Dept. of Agriculture, I have confirmed the following two kills at Weber Downs, Utah’s only track, last year. Please note that Weber conducted but four days of racing – two kills in four days.
Rf One Okie Opie, Apr 5, Weber R
“Horse broke down.” Rf was 16 days shy of his 2nd birthday. Yes, he was still one.
Promontory, Apr 27, Weber R
“Horse had blinders [see our post on ‘blinders’] slip over its eyes and ran into the rail – broken femur, euthanized.” How horrific. The chart, by the way, simply said, “stumbled [at the break], lost rider.” This poor boy had just turned three.
Abusing horses is a crime that true horsemen would not do. These people who abuse and kill horses are criminals and should rightfully be charged with abuse and neglect of horses. There are too many white collar criminals in this country and in this inhumane industry.