The Kentucky Derby Tragedy

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I have heard so many awful stories about mistreated horses at the track. Why isn't horse racing regulated so that these poor animals have a decent life. We have race horses housed at our riding stable during the winter months until March and because the owner is fairly kind he allows them to go outside during the day and enjoy their life somewhat. You should see them outside, they have never been "free to be a horse" in the ever changing winter weather and they honestly didn't know what to do at first. But let me tell you they figured it out fast enough. I'm with you Bonnie and if there is anything I can do to help you in your fight for a better life for these magnificant animals I will do so. Perhaps a letter in our local newspaper would be a start. But, I am not a writer so I will need help in any type of writing I would do. You are truly a horse friend. Thank God for people like you.

Brenda Palazzo of NY 3:55AM January 14, 2011

Thats sad I hope we don't do that today

Jay Jay of DC 5:55PM March 22, 2009

The tragedy at the Kentucky Derby is heart breaking, a sickening result of a once majestic sport gone "unbridled". Believe me, I am no animal activist. I beleive we, in this country, care more about our pets than we do about our fellow human beings, however, the drive to "succeed" is what has created this outcome. The funny thing is, is that "success" doesn't even mean the same thing anymore...why hasn't there been a triple crown winner since 1978?? Success is not in the amount of money you can make, how much do you possibly need? Success is the reputation you create as being honest and forthright, commpasionate and full of integrity - those people are remembered and revered. Horse racing can still be a majestic sport, it does not need to be banned, it needs to be regulated and cleaned up. Money in this country has become like a drug, a bad addiction. People kill each other for it let alone torture animals in their drive for more. The key is not to condemn all participants, some are willing to play fair, but to shore up the rules. Regulations are not put in place to choke the business but to level the playing field and to weed out the bad apples - they won't ever play fair. If trainers, owners, and race tracks can make the adjustments, focus their attention away from the purse and direct it into creating the "best" athlete, not just the fastest, maybe even more could compete - fairly, honestly, and with thriving, healthy, strong and majestic partners... wouldn't that be exciting, and worth "betting" on?

Nancy of OH 9:01AM February 28, 2009

Eight Belles could have been given a sedative and sent to Best Friends sanctuary in Utah. They currently have a horse with a prostetic leg. There were alternatives it's just some of that society is not educated enough to know about the rescue animal facilities out there. Look up Best Friends, all of you, and get educated. There is no reason that animal had to be euthanized.
I hope the Kentucky Derby will finally be banned.
Sham on any celebrity that supports this inhumane sport. Thankfully, PETA has successfully had Greyhound racing banned by the year 2010.

Eleanor of CA 3:36PM February 25, 2009

It is so devastating when Eight Belles was killed. I was sick. I feel hopeless to stop these money grubbing people from discarding their animals. It is all about money. I would have taken Eight Belles if I could have. And helped her recover and loved her. What must she have felt after being forced to race on fragile legs, and then killed when they broke. What must she have thought before they shot her. I did my best. I did what you wanted. And now you end my life. Animals are innocent and at our mercy. To exploit that is horrific. How do we find the time and courage to impact this sport and affect change? There are so many problems in the world. But that shooting made me furious. We have to find a way to create change.

Shellie of CA 12:59PM December 05, 2008

First of all Bonnie... euthanizing a horse is not "slaughter". Sometimes there just isn't anything that you can do about it and it's ends up being your only option. I've grown up with horses. My grandpa raises horses for standarbred racing. I know it's not exactly the same thing, but still. I watched the race where Eight Belles got badly injured. The way she broke BOTH ankles, there was no way to heal that. Unfortunately, that was the only option for Eight Belles. Yes, it's sad, but it had to be done. But I honestly don't think it's right for you to say that euthanizing is slaughtering. It's not even close. Slaughtering is killing for the fun of it. Euthanizing is putting an animal down because that's what's best for the animal. Think about it.

Noneof Yourbusiness of IN 4:02PM August 26, 2008

Eight bells was "slaughtered" by a vet who made the decision before speaking to her owners or trainer. So I guess that he must have had his name on her insurance policy???? I also guess all the critics that say she could have been saved know better than the vet???
And to Tara Ruffian fan...Ruffian died from thrashing when waking up from her surgery. I didnt get my facts from Hollywood, I got them from Dr. Prendergast who performed the surgery....

of NY 3:11PM May 20, 2008

You say that people are just too greedy to want to pay to keep a broken horse in a sling- what about the fact that horses NEED to be weight bearing in order to survive? Ask your vet about this- if horses cannot put weight on their feet, it effects the circulation in their feet, which leads to nasty things like laminitis, in themselves potentially deadly.
Sometimes euth is the best option- even people who will make the effort and pay the bills on the very best of care (see: barbaro), don't always get the desired result.
And as the owner of some fancy h/j show horses, you might want to look around and "clean up your own house" so to speak. H/J breakdowns may not happen quickly or spectacularly, like racing or eventing accidents do (though you do see the occasional rotational fall or heart attack over the fence, even when the fences do fall down, they simply aren't publicized as much), but horses are being jumped too young (three year old hunter futurities? horses jumping 3' courses as four year olds?), given drugs, overcompeted, lunged to death to stay "quiet" enough for their amateur owners, among other things. Racing and eventing may be popular targets right now, but every discipline has its dark side, and I hope you are willing to apply the same amount of anger and hysteria to your own discipline.

Kelly of MD 2:54PM May 13, 2008

Bravo Ms. Ross. Well written and intelligently expressed. I could not agree more.

of PA 12:44PM May 12, 2008

Ms. Ross,
Your reply to Ms. Erbe's editorial was extremely well written and based on factual content. This is something that her original opinion piece was obviously not. Even your own opinions had merit due to your experience with horses. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with those that do not understand thoroughbred horses, how they are raised, or what they are bred to accomplish. They are a natural "fight or flee" animal whose basic instincts dictate that speed is the primary means of survival and establishing their order in the "herd", whether that herd be natural, or man-made in the form of a horse race.

Alfred Nuckols, Jr. of KY 11:13PM May 11, 2008