POLL: Is Horse Racing Animal Cruelty?
As Saturday's Kentucky Derby approaches, some activists are claiming horse racing is cruel to animals.
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Two horses were euthanized after falling in the Grand National, a 4-mile steeplechase horse race in England, just over two weeks ago.
The Kentucky Derby will bring dozens of horses to compete on a world-famous stage on Saturday, one that sometimes claims the lives of the animals who compete.
An article in The National recently detailed some of what they call "the darker picture behind the glamor of horse racing."
"Some 3,600 horses died from 2009 to 2011 while racing or training in the US, according to a New York Times data study. About 6,600, a figure that is trending upwards, broke down or displayed indications of injury," the article said.
What do you think? Is horse racing cruel to animals? Tell us what you think in the comments section below and be sure to cast your vote in our poll.
Jean Howard
8:41 am on Saturday, May 5, 2012
Horse racing is not animal cruelty. Especially in a high-stakes race like the Kentucky Derby, the horses are treated very well so they will be in the very best condition.
Denise Larkin
3:29 pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012
Are you kidding? Being in the "very best condition" for a racehorse entails being trained before it's skeletal system is fully formed, forced to race while injured, suffer from myriad illnesses from the stress of such aggressive training, being whipped and electronically goaded and pumped full of both legal and illegal drugs. And oh yes, once these multi- million dollar racehorses are of no further use to their greedy owners, they are sold to slaughterhouses for horse meat...if they're lucky. So please tell me again that this is "not animal cruelty"???
karen
9:38 am on Saturday, May 5, 2012
As it becomes more competitive more risks are taken. I know from experience that most trainers and jockeys have nothing but the well being of the horses they train and ride at heart. But it is a business and profits need to be made. I'm sure there are those who will put profits first.
Eric Mills
12:29 pm on Saturday, May 5, 2012
Horse racing cruel? Indeed, it can be, and often is. The hundreds of annual "breakdowns" are a clear indication.
They run the horses at too young an age, and at too long a distance. Today's Kentucky Derby, for instance.
Track consistency and banking can be a real problem.
There's also a crying need for a retirement program for race horses. If they perform poorly, it's generally "off to the slaughterhouse." Not acceptable.
When not on the track, race horses are routinely kept in their stalls for days and weeks on end. Horses are a herd animal. They deserve to be with other horses for socialization, running, etc.
Let's not forget the 1988 Derby winner, Ferdinand, who ended his days in a slaughterhouse in Japan. Not right.
HollistonGuy
7:15 pm on Saturday, May 5, 2012
What's cruel is that I just lost $60 on the Derby.
Carol Gage
1:34 pm on Sunday, May 6, 2012
Horse racing is cruel. Track to trailer to box stall....track to trailer to box stall...I don't care how heated the barns are. These animals never get to be "just horses." They're machines. And when it's all over, most ex-racing Thoroughbreds are not adoption material, even if there are adopters out there willing to take them on. A challenging prospect for even experienced adopters with the best of intentions. Horse racing for horses is an ugly business.