After Eight Belles

After Eight Belles "broke down" while galloping out after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby, I had to ask myself if I can keep watching racing.  It is a majestic sport.  I love the beauty and power of the horses and the pagentry and tradition of the races.  But the tragedy is becoming too much to bear. 

Just after running her heart out against the boys in the Derby, Eight Belles inexplicably broke both her front ankles.  She had to be euthanized where she lay on the track.  It was sickening to watch.

Racing has its critics and its supporters.  I'm on the fence.  I don't think its "cruelty" as the animal welfare people would have you believe.  And I think that the call by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals for Eight Belles' jockey to be disciplined for whipping her excessively is simply flat out ridiculous.  (See the Press Democrat's article in today's Empire Section.)

But, I also believe that tracks nationwide should be required to replace their dirt surfaces with the synthetic surface.  The article in the PD (see above) states that here in California, it has cut injuries in half.  Furthermore, I believe that all tracks should be required to install the synthetic surface.  For example, the track at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds is exempt because its race meet is less than 30 days.  That's a huge loophole in the requirement.  (PD article)

And, I believe that horses should not be raced until they are 3 to give their magnificant bodies more time to mature.  At 2, which is when most horses start racing, they simply are not done growing.  And, consider that in order to start racing at 2, training begins much earlier.

I think that if the general public knew the statistics on racehorse injuries, they would be horrified.  The PD article states that 301 horses lost their lives this past racing season.  I don't know how many horses ran and therefore, what percentage of horses that represents.  But, does it really matter?

The PD article echoed exactly what I said to my friend yesterday - we watch car racing for spectacular crashes; not horse racing.  In car racing, the drivers walk away more often than not.  In horse racing, you wind up with a gorgeous animal, dead on the track. 

Makes me worry about taking my young kids to the races at the fair this summer.  How do you explain euthansia to a 5 year old or a 2 year old?  Can I get away with something along the lines of "well, the horse got hurt and the veternarian is going to help it feel better" (yeah, by killing it so its not in horrific pain anymore.)

As one other writer pointed out (can't remember where I read this) that horses, particularly Thoroughbreds, are somewhat of an anomaly:  large animals built for speed with huge hearts, huge lungs and powerful hindquarters all balanced on these delicate little legs. 

My farrier (horseshoer) and I were discussing my horse Nikki's shoeing needs last week.  Nathan explained that when a horse's foot hits the ground it is momentarily bearing one and a half times the horse's total weight.  That's a huge amount for that complex combination of tiny bones.  After Eight Belles, I did spend some time staring at Nikki's ankles, pondering the possible ramifications of jumping him. 

So, do I keep watching horseracing?  I have to admit that I probably will.