Furious - by Diane McClure

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

Diana McClure — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 11:42:32 GMT

Thank you all for your comments and support. I am happy to report that Falcon Fury is slowly recovering, he is now able to hand walk and graze daily. He still has several months of stall rest ahead of him, but he is happy and doing well. We will provide him with a forever home and make sure he never suffers abuse again. It is very rewarding to know that Delaware Park has installed a new policy whereby trainers are aware that horses signed out of the track had better not "disappear" with out risking serious repercussions threatening their privileges at the track. If every track would "step up" we would be make huge progress!

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

Gaby — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 15:28:55 GMT

Thank you Ms.Diane McClure for writing about the dark and cruel side of horse racing.

Hopefully more and more concerned horse racing fans and the general public will become aware of the terrible end many of these horses face when their racing days are over and demand that something be done to save these animals from slaughter and becoming somebody's dinner.

A horse is not a "thing" that one simply disposes of when one no longer has use for it.

Money maker or not, unwanted horses should be able to retire to a safe place where they are cared for and can live out their lives.

Let's find a good solution quickly for this sad situation and put a end to the brutal killing of these horses.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

Denise — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:08:10 GMT

when did HBO air Running for Their Lives? I missed it.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

manowar4ever — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 19:08:36 GMT

I am so glad the computer wouldn't let my first post through. I was so livid, I was almost incomprehensible.

Because of this article, I am now a contributor to Thoroughbred Charities. Something good off the bat! And will check out TBfriends as well.

I can remember, when I first started following racing, in the early sixties, that I thought the foal crop number was immensely huge (the number I remember was 20,000 per year). Now, it is 40,000. Why?

I think a cap is a good idea. Why 60 mares a year, why not 20? I was raised with the idea of "breed the best to the best". With that many mares a year, how can you figure out the best?! And, yes, it is greed, one hundred percent!

I also wish to offer kudos to Suffolk Downs.

I knew that horses ended up in slaughterhouses, for dog food I was told, but, until the last decade or so, thought purebreds were immune. I never liked it, but knew that I couldn't change it. It was an acceptable practice that just wasn't talked about. So little girls like me wouldn't get upset.

The slaughterhouses are not closed, most are also for cattle, sheep, etc., and the amount of horses would not force a closure. My state, Colorado, looks to be ready to pass a bill that will stop horse slaughter for "overseas shipment for human consumption". The legislator, however, informed me that this would not stop the slaughter completely because of the dog food business. So, it will still go on. And the shipment of horses for slaughter going over the border to Mexico or Canada, though they may be bought in the U.S., will not stop. It's still a case of greed. This can only stop when the owners, purebred or not, take responsibility and stop over-breeding. It is a problem and always has been. Greed is, unfortunately, not something that the human race seems to be able to breed out of themselves.

This can, however, be changed by people who are dedicated and willing to do the work necessary to get it done. It won't be easy and it won't be overnight, but it can be done. Let's go, troops!

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

darlene — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:14:19 GMT

Thanks for saving Fury I looked up his pedigree and he is a descedant of the great Secretariat. It is a shame that these beautiful animals end up in these bad situations. People have to take better care of these horses. Thanks so much for saving him; where did he go? Also, there were 15 other horses mentioned in the article that were at the Sugarcreek auction; what happened to them?

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

Susan — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 21:20:48 GMT

Why don't people start addressing some of the problems that beget the slaughter problem? First: over breeding. State incentive programs encourage the creation of far more horses then the market can bear, and what do you expect to happen to all these horses that no one can care for? It's always the 'little guy' at the end that gets the bad rap, but how about speaking to large breeding farms about the number of horses they're breeding? O - I forgot, because they run the industry and make all their money over-breeding.

Secondly, instead of focusing on steroids, why don't people focus on the practice of "veterinarians" injecting joints, so that by the time a horse hits the bottom ranks they're too crippled to be anything else. I abhor slaughter in all forms (I'm a vegan) but lets start making real, tough changes from the top down that will help eliminate the problem of mass quantities of unwanted horses at the bottom.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

Chris — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 06:38:38 GMT

There needs to be a registry for horses that are not racing. Once they are off the track they are not traceable.

It would be a simple thing to tranfer their records to a (for example) Thoroughbred sporthorse registry.

There is no registry for these horses after they leave the track. If they survive, their names are most likely changed many times.

It's a small detail but one more brick in a wall to help these great horses live out a full life.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

Pantle — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 04:05:52 GMT

I am telling you that horse racing is going to continue to seriously fade from the racing public if owners and trainers are not held responsible for their horses.

That slaugher documentary was a giant wake-up call for all of horse racing.

What happens next?

Believe me, that video made a tremendous negative impact.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

lcm — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 01:13:29 GMT

Rhonda in Saskatchewan. thanks for the tbfriends link. UNBELIEVABLE what one man can do!!! Imagine if this farms in KY did as much. We wouldn't have horse rescue to complain about! I'll be sending money to him asap. Talk about being on the frontlines of this issue! How many millions is the TRF sitting on? Joe Shelton sure could put it to use!

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

SundaySilenced — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:03:33 GMT

Many of you have hit on the origin of the problem...Overbreeding. I am not one to tell anyone that they can't buy a couple of horses and try their luck, however stallion books should be limited. When I got into this business 60-65 mares a year was about the max for each stallion. Demand was high and so were the prices, there should be a limit each year on stallion books, money funded from SOMEwhere in these horses lives, and follow through at the end of their careers. But we must start at the begining..As always it's the money that stands in the way of change. We need to lower our prices if thats the case, have a cap or something, or enforce logical laws in amount of horses bred.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

Sainbury — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:34:12 GMT

I have heard from farriers for years that this goes on.

I adopted an ex-race horse with the idea that he was a pet and I would have him until one of us died. He foundered and I had to put him down when he was twenty. But we had many great years together.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

Rhonda from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:30:23 GMT

This sordid business is not new. We need to finally get down to brass tacks and really do something. We need to become active in pressuring the horse industry to become responsible breeders by limiting the numbers of new foals and by making sure that horses from their operations are followed over their lifetime, are treated humanely and are provided for throughout their lives.

Give to any horse welfare organisations you can. It doesn't have to be a lot. Every bit counts.

For a real look at the day to day struggle for horse welfare, go to www.tbfriends.com and read Joe Shelton's daily journal. This guy has one of the largest horse rescue facilities in California if not in the United States. He talks the talk and walks the walk. He is not supported by any of the traditional horse support charities because he prefers to have the freedom to make the choice to save whatever breed or horse he wishes to and to be critical in print if need be. It's all about the horses with him. If Joe can't take them himself, he goes to extreme lengths to place horses. A great place to put your money! Every penny goes to horse welfare at TBFriends.

We can do this. One horse at a time. Let's get busy.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

yjm — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:05:48 GMT

Thank you for bringing this to light. We need more PR on this matter. Sadly, it's a difficult situation to deal with, as horses are not like cats and dogs, more expensive....harder to find homes for. As with all animals, responsiblity lies with owners/breeders who need to realize this is a life, not just a "buck".

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

CKG — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:58:22 GMT

I agree with track bum completely. I have been associated with Maryland tracks for many years, I don't know who the killers are or the trainers involved. If people truly know then names need to be out in the public, then perhaps at least the trainers can be shown a different avenue. I doubt much can be done to change the minds of the shippers and buyers involved though.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

Chetty — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:24:08 GMT

I'm very glad to hear about this documentary, what Diane had to say, and what racetracks are helping their horses. But, I would be much more happier if she told the name of the Del Park trainer. The people that sell at the lower end auctions,and don't care if their horses go to a killer buyer need to be exposed! Horse slaughter is about greed. Squeezing the last $ out of the hide of the poor horse. Don't let anyone say it's about neglect or abuse (Bother were alive and well while slaughterhouses were operating!)The thoroughbred industry must begin to expose the people that support slaughter, the race tracks that don't take care of their own, and the tracks that don't adopt the new rules being put forth by the NTRA! Thank you.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

normajean81258 — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:49:14 GMT

Everyone, please read this Bloodhorse article. This sets a great precedent, hopfully just the beginning of a great partial solution. This is simply fabulous and something the NTRA could get behind and sanction as well....

news.bloodhorse.com/.../46476.htm

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

nina — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:24:29 GMT

The only way this "industry" will change is by exposing what really is going on. Exposure,exposure and more exposure will be the only thing that will shame them in doing the right thing for this beautiful animals.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

DB5779 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:24:26 GMT

Everyone is making good points. Being a life long TB owner, rider, trainer and breeder I am all to familiar with the process of trying to find homes for horses that need to move on. The biggest problem is finding people that can handle a TB.

I have given many away and about 50% came back because the new owner was "over horsed". TB's are very emotional and sensitive and can be too much for the average person to handle. Performance trainers won't take them (even for free) because of the time investment in putting enough miles on them to be suitable for the average rider.

When I was showing hunters, everyone rode a TB and people were really good riders. Now they all want "Dumb bloods".

We now out of the business have 2 retired race horses that we trail ride and I wouldn't throw my leg over anything else.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

GrandeFan — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:50:02 GMT

We've heard it all, time and again. Every racehorse was intentionally bred to exist. The problem starts with too much breeding - or "product" - as the business owners call them. Today businesses and their owners are in it to make $$ only. Racing was called "The Sport of Kings" because it was a hobby for the wealthiest who enjoyed the prestige and competition of the sport among their peers. HR is losing its identity as a sport - replacing it with an image of cheats, greed, and cruelty. Horsemen and women need to step up to reclaim responsibility and ownership to regulate this industry. Before owning or reaping profit, the first requirement of all horsemen is the welfare and life-long care of the creatures they have created.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

Runfast159 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:56:03 GMT

Honestly, I can't believe any fan of racing does not already know that horses sometimes go straight from the track to auction. However, I am encouraged that there are continuing, and significant efforts being made to place these horses in suitable situations after their racing days are over. I watched this type of evolution occur with racing Greyhounds, which used to be shot and dumped after their racing days. Many are now placed in loving homes upon their retirement thanks to several organizations and alot of education. Certainly due to the fact that horses are.. well... HORSES, it's much more difficult. I rescued 4 horses from a local auction here about 2 years ago. The time, money and emotional investment it required to get them rehomed was huge, though ultimately rewarding. I will continue to support the tracks, trainers, owners and individuals involved in saving these horses in any way I can.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

Abby's Mom — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:39:53 GMT

Thank you for bringing this out into the open. I recently bought an emanciated mare and her foal from a slaughter buyer here in Cortez, Colorado. I am aware of the BLM's plan to indiscrimately sell off excess mustangs to potential slaughter buyers but was not aware that the same thing is going on in the racing industry.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

Gina Powell — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:16:39 GMT

Great article! What the racetracks really need to do is voluntarily donate 1% of purse money to people who rescue racehorses. Woodbine is the only racetrack in North America to do this and lots of racehorses are being saved.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

normajean81258 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:17:34 GMT

Racing Fan I need to disagree just a little here. There are very few Jockeys that make the kind of money your talking about. Very few. And those Jocks have to pay out to their manager, etc. The biggest percentage of any winnings goes to the Owners. And that is where the lifetime care of these horses and the responsibility should be. They bought the horse, sometimes for ungodly amounts of money, they reap the largest percent of the winnings, therefore should be ultimately responsible. I believe it is at least 60% goes to the Owners. The rest is Trainers, who need to pay their assistants, hotwalkers etc. then the Jocks. If I'm wrong here, please tell me. The bottom line is, the Owners should be held accountable......

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

Cathy — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:25:23 GMT

I am hearing many comments that continue to identify the problem, which is what to do with unwanted race horses, but very few that offer viable solutions. The people posting on this board are responsible horse lovers. In a perfect world, that would be the only people who would own horses. Unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world. We live in a world where there will always be people who exploit horses, other animals, and even people, as a means to an end, for financial gain, or for their own enjoyment. We also live in a world where free trade is a right, and we cannot legislate who can and cannot breed their horse. Not everyone is educated or responsible about whether or not their mare or stallion should be bred.

The solution needs to come from the top levels ( a central organization) and mandate that each track hold back a small percentage of it's winnings to go into a retirement fund for these unwanted horses. Then, each state that has a track or tracks (Ideally each track) will have a retirement facility that will be funded by the tracks themselves. Owners who no longer want their horses after they race will have to pay a donation fee for their horses to be admitted to the retirement facility. At the facility, it can then be determined whether the horse can be rehabilitated, needs to be humanely destroyed, or should be permanently pensioned.

This has to be made simple and easy. There MUST be a place for these horses to go to make room for more horses if racing is going to continue, particularly with the current state of the economy and the price of feed and fuel.

re: Furious - by Diane McClure

lance guranovich — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:14:12 GMT

I was raised in chicago and with exception of the last twenty years or so, chicago was considered to be a great horse racing town.

The daily newspapers always had something of interest to write about major races, jockeys, etc and race results from the tracks back east were always in the paper.

Some papers even had a daily horse racing columnist, but over time, the interest in racing diminished to the point that a beautiful race track like arlington park cannot get 5,000 people to attend on a saturday program out of a population of millions. That is a sad commentary about the state of racing in our country.

Those "in the know" state that this situation has taken place, because americans have so many other choices available to them. i could not disagree more.

Horse racing is my passion, but i love the horse more than i love racing. It was not easy for any of us to see shaker knit and mr. nickerson lay on the track for almost an hour and then a few races later, to see go for wand break down right in front of us and fall, only to get up and run again. those are very stark images that are not soon to be forgotten.

I have seen a lot of horses break down and one of my horses was the only of five in a group that did not go down one day. as much of my heart that i have given to horses and being aware of the fact that there are a lot of people out there who feel as i do, it is almost impossible to convince the average person that horse racing is other than how they perceive it. cruel and crooked.

And why not? Newspapers sensationalize the negatives such as horrible spills, but i have not seen anyone in my local newspapers use their journalistic skills to publicize the plight of the thoroughbred and the vast numbers of them whose last van ride is to the slaughterhouse.

In contrast, these same "journalists" will spend days and numerous paragraphs in regard to dog fighting rings.

In closing, i saw a picture in the sport's section of the chicago sun times last year and it showed a picture of a horse in a steeplechase race going over a jump. the horse didn't make the jump and he became airborne with his nose almost touching the ground and his whole body perpendicular to it.

I would like to know what chance a half ton animal has, to survive such a fall, with the major impact area being it's head and neck?

The picture said it all. If a major newspaper could show such a photo, then that paper is not even worth putting on the floor to housebreak a puppy.

If it was, it would have become involved in the issue that the subject of this blog page is all about.