Despite the beauty and brilliance of the racehorses, I find the underlying cruelty and waste too much--there are far more shattered than triumphant. I dislike the racing industries, both horse and dog.
It does seem a cruel sport, since death is so frequent. But, after all, we don't ban either boxing or wrestling which have devastating effects on the participants. Someone makes a profit so what should they care about the externalities?
Unfortunately, it is. And twice in the hugely popular Triple Crown races over the last few years is bad.
This is why polytrack was introduced, to help prevent this-- unfortunately (again) it hasn't been doing its job.
The problem is that they are breeding bigger and bigger and not making the bone structure stronger. She was 17h tall. That is huge for a *male* horse. (Point Given was smaller than she was, to give you a frame of reference-- and he was a stallion.) It is horrible, but unfortunately with the unrestrained breeding that has been going on lately, it is going to happen all the more often. When they stop racing to breed, and start breeding to race again, then it will curtail. (And as much as I loved Unbridled, unfortunately he's contributing to a lot of the problems. He should've been gelded.)
We've had far fewer breakdowns in the West since they mandated the artificial turf, but it's still happening. The East has been slow to adopt the artificial turf and that's two major breakdowns at Churchill Downs in two days. If we're going to continue this sport, we have got to start thinking more of the animals.
Oh God. I am so glad internet was down where I was and I wasn't watching. I used to love the sport, and I'm no expert on horses, but the more I hear about them breaking down, the harder it gets to accept.
awful
We were just having that discussion.
I am in tears and alethea_eastrid is just angry because this is caused by inbreeding.
All 20 horses in the race were related by blood to the same make horse.
I feel just awful for the owners. They must have been so high, only to be laid so low.
The filly?
This is why polytrack was introduced, to help prevent this-- unfortunately (again) it hasn't been doing its job.
The problem is that they are breeding bigger and bigger and not making the bone structure stronger. She was 17h tall. That is huge for a *male* horse. (Point Given was smaller than she was, to give you a frame of reference-- and he was a stallion.) It is horrible, but unfortunately with the unrestrained breeding that has been going on lately, it is going to happen all the more often. When they stop racing to breed, and start breeding to race again, then it will curtail. (And as much as I loved Unbridled, unfortunately he's contributing to a lot of the problems. He should've been gelded.)
She was so valiant and she ran so well.