As relayed in our weekly ambulance report, A Streakin Prada went down and was carted off in a race at Sunland Saturday. I have since learned that she is indeed dead. But that’s not all. In the very next race at Sunland that day, Flower Peach was killed. Both of these girls had just turned two, and these were their very first times under the whip. What’s more: both were under the yoke of trainer Edwin Martinez. (Martinez has since been summarily suspended by the NM Commission pending an “investigation.”)
Also in our weekly report was Took Charge at Los Alamitos Sunday. We now know that he, too, is dead. The CHRB filed this one under “Non-Musculoskeletal” – which usually means the horse simply collapsed and died. Took Charge was eight years old.
This – every damn day – is horseracing.
Sorry, I was mistaken when I said seven horses. It was eight horses (and approximately 60 goats). My mistake.
Fred and Joan, I just got through reading an email from PETA and it says eight horses were saved whereas it was stated seven healthy horses in previous notifications and the article.
The email says the goats were already used so it is too late for the goats.
Regarding sterile/ non-sterile conditions for surgical removal of a reproductive body part, in September of 2003, I drove to the livestock auction in East Lewiston (Idaho). My daughter and I saw a horse lying on his side on the ground behind the sale ring building near the chutes where they unload animals before the sale and then load up after the animals are sold. The ground was a cement floor contaminated with animal waste from cattle and horses. There was a body part that had been removed also on the filthy cement covered ground. The best I can figure is that he was castrated right there on the filthy contaminated cement ground and they just left his testicles on the ground next to him. There was NOBODY standing around keeping an eye on him.
It was so sickening and unhealthy and so disturbing that I can’t even put it in words.
Wanda, several years ago Oregon State university, our Alma Mater, wanted to spay mares under “field” conditions here in Oregon at a BLM holding facility! The outrage from the news reports provided to the public as well the letters of rebuke by Colorado State University & California University Davis veterinary schools had them change their plans. Fortunately!! Field conditions means no real sterile clean environment or proper facilities. Our current farm vet. graduate of 2024 has noticed that the equine program is run poorly & in words “incompetently!” Appreciate the title of the news outlet. We will read their news reports from time to time.
Speaking of “ethics” regarding the ways that horses are used, Washington State University in Pullman, Washington were planning to use 7 (seven) healthy horses and several healthy goats in what they call a “terminal lab” as surgery training for their veterinary school students.
The healthy horses would be operated on and then killed at some point. I don’t really know why they think they have to kill them but that’s what it means by terminal lab.
However, a news source called The DAILY FLY reported that the decision was made not to use the horses in this terminal lab training, not because of ETHICS but because of “safety” to the school staff or students. There were evidently hostile threats against the people responsible for planning and participating in this type of use of the seven healthy horses for veterinary surgical training and then killing them.
[DAILYFLY: WSU halts equine component of veterinary surgery course amid safety concerns; dated March 16, 2026]
Keep in mind when they say “safety concerns”, it is not the safety of the horses that they are/were concerned about! They are concerned about the safety of the people who would have killed the seven healthy horses that were said to be adoptable to either good homes or a sanctuary.
How does that grab you regarding ethics? It is a relief that they are not going to kill the seven healthy horses as far as the report goes, but it is highly disappointing and nauseating that the reason they changed their plan is for their own safety, not for the horses’ safety.
Nancy, we have always felt that jumps racing is the worst of the worst & completely unnatural event for horses! How sad that a 12 year old Envoi Allen on the verge of being free of races died.
To Patrick: Yes, every damn day and so many haven’t even started out in life.
Nancy, I really appreciate your reporting on the killings in the UK. If I had a dollar for all the people who insisted to me that jumping is “fine” and carefully done, etc. I am so sorry for that poor 12 year old, forced to jump yet again and dying before “retirement”. Brain dead humans, absent any conscience or compassion.
The annual Cheltenham Festival(UK) was held last week. Four horses were killed for the greedy entertainment it gives the spectators. HMS Seahorse, Hansford, Saint Le Fort all injured jumping the hurdles. Envoi Allen the 12 year old finished the race last and on the way back to the unsaddling area collapsed and died. This was scheduled to be his last race before retiring. Sad sad sad…