Another Dead Horse and Busy Whips
The CHRB has confirmed the death of Sunny One at Golden Gate. Apparently, the 5-year-old was found dead in his stall on November 29th, just two days after finishing 2nd in a GG race. His trainer was Alex Sywak, his…
The Cruelties: Whipping
Read MoreAnother Dead Horse and Busy Whips
No Suspensions For Multiple “Whipping-Bleeding/Welts” Violations
Rulings from the Indiana Horse Racing Commission: For abuses committed against QuarterHorses: 5/31/14, Aron Hunt, “Whip-excessive” – $200 fine, no suspension 6/13/14, Christian Esqueda, “Whip-indiscriminate” – $250 fine, no suspension 7/11/14, Julian Serrano, “Whip-excessive” – $200 fine, no suspension For…
$50 Fines For Kicking the Horses
In its most recently released rulings, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has cited the following harness drivers: Norman Robbins, “Indiscriminate Use of Whip” – $50 fine, 5-day suspension Chris Page, “Indiscriminate Use of Whip” – $500 fine, no suspension Daniel…
More Compassionate Whipping at Santa Anita
Santa Anita has announced a new whipping rule for its upcoming Fall meet – no more than three consecutive strikes, then wait for a “response” before whipping can resume. Santa Anita’s president says (DRF, 9/2/14), “It’s good for the horse,…
5-Year-Old “put to strong right-handed whipping”
5-year-old Gingerbred Girl’s last place finish in a $5,000 claiming race Saturday at Suffolk Downs was described thus: “Gingerbred Girl trailed, lost contact with the field before the half-mile pole and was put to strong right-handed whipping to the final…
California Chrome Mercilessly Whipped While Injured
An open question to Art Sherman, Perry Martin, Steve Coburn, the 100,000 fans in attendance, the millions more watching around the world, indeed, all who were seduced by NBC’s shameful coverage: How to explain, justify, defend this? (pick up around…
In a Pinch, Use a Belt
From this week’s Santa Anita Stewards Report: (5/22/14) EDWIN OROZCO was in the office this morning in response to a complaint filed against him for his actions on a difficult horse during training hours yesterday. According to Safety Steward LUIS…
Whipped, Heat Distressed, Vanned Off
Horses, the apologists say, are born to run, love to run; the modern Thoroughbred is the most exquisite of athletes, sleek and powerful, with, most importantly, an instinctive will to compete. Ignore, they continue, the diminutive humans perched atop, for…
Horse Banned for Refusing to Race
From the UK comes word that 10-year-old Thoroughbred Mad Moose (below) has been “banned” by the British Horseracing Authority for, as Horse & Hound (1/13/14) puts it, “being reluctant and refusing to race one too many times.” In his last…
Man vs Whip
Oscar Pistorius, the “Blade Runner” sprinter who became a media darling at the London Olympics for competing without legs, ran a race last December against an Arabian horse in Qatar, ostensibly to raise disabilities awareness. A sorry spectacle, sure, but…