The Jockey Club Does Not Speak for Me

re: The Jockey Club Does Not Speak for Me

sceptre — Thu, 15 May 2014 14:16:49 GMT

Mary in Vt:

Apparently, you don't agree with what is considered to be proper standards for the breeding, care, and raising of dogs (?or other animals). Well, that's just too bad-and is the reason we need such standards. It's about time that the lawmakers finally came to the aid of the non-voting animals and began affording them some protections from people like yourself. There are far too many humans who consider animals nothing more than objects of possession. Care for them properly, or leave them alone. Why should you, or any one individual be allowed to freely judge what is proper care? Apply that premise to most anything else, and see where you get. Not too different from Ky Vet's-"...let the owners own, let the trainers train..."

re: The Jockey Club Does Not Speak for Me

sceptre — Thu, 15 May 2014 01:56:18 GMT

KY Vet:

Let the cattle, chickens, pigs....all be inhumanely treated and butchered; and no one should dare speak up.

So, is this also your credo?

re: The Jockey Club Does Not Speak for Me

sceptre — Wed, 14 May 2014 17:43:15 GMT

If KY Vet and Mary in VT are typical examples of those in the racing industry, no wonder there is need for greater oversight-outside the industry. The US government may/or may not be the best overseers, but the horse industry has PROVEN that they aren't up to the task. So, KY Vet; "let the owners own; Let the trainers train; let the jockeys ride" is precisely what has been-AND IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Too many injuries, too many breakdowns, and too many lousy conditions for the horses. Make it better, make it much better, or end the sport.

re: The Jockey Club Does Not Speak for Me

Mary in VT — Wed, 14 May 2014 02:56:14 GMT

If there is anything that your industry can do to prevent it, federal oversight of horse racing is to be avoided at all costs. The feds are currently screwing up hobby dog breeding beyond your wildest dreams by applying facility requirements designed for enormous puppy mills cranking out dogs with a pure profit motive to hobby breeders with 4 or more breedable bitches that are artists in dog flesh purely dedicated to preserving the historical breeds of dogs in their homes with no expectation of ever making a dime at it. These new facility standards are so prohibitively expensive and go so far beyond anything required to raise children in this country that many a fine bitch is being spayed just to avoid oversight. Failure to perform can carry up to a 10K fine for a second offense. Just one example; no cob webs. Second cob web can cost you up to 10K. Not kidding. Ok, two examples. 180 degree water even if it presents a risk to your children and grandma. And in a check-mate move the USDA hired a tough as nails former Humane Society of the United States litigation attorney to head enforcement. Hello? Don't go there. Do not go there. You can not even imagine how wrong federal oversight can go under the HSUS friendly Obama Administration. Thankfully, there is an injunction effort that has been granted standing trying to get relief in the courts. Case No. 1:13-cv-1982.

re: The Jockey Club Does Not Speak for Me

Fred and Joan — Mon, 05 May 2014 20:21:05 GMT

What happened to our comment stating true life experiences we wrote on derby day? We are also long time subscribers and wrote of our experiences exercising race horses and the abuses we witnessed, such as shock wave therapy and joint injections administered to unsound horses so as they would pass a paddock viewing before being raced. We wrote the TRUTH and expect that the B.H. would show HONEST comments written also by small breeders and owners in the Northwest and again thank goodness for all those trainers who gave our horses a chance to race in the Southwest and in California at better tracks than are available to us locally. We are ALL FOR no race day medications and STRONG penalties against trainers who try to keep owners happy by racing unsound horses. Bring on NATIONAL unification of rules administered and enforced by a national commissioner or even the federal government.

re: The Jockey Club Does Not Speak for Me

KY VET — Mon, 05 May 2014 03:55:29 GMT

How many words does it take to say nothing! Get to your point! Did you say anything? Is this another "i care about animals more than anyone else article? How about this.......let the TRAINERS TRAIN......let the OWNERS OWN.......And let the JOCKEYS RIDE!!!!!!! Everybody else.......Shut the ---- up!

re: The Jockey Club Does Not Speak for Me

BelmontBarb — Mon, 05 May 2014 02:17:40 GMT

I too, agree with you. And it is appropriate to say "Shut Up" to the Jockey Club and lets get down to business in a respectful and caring manner to all and keeping the equine population in focus first. The simple word "Club" always struck me as something I would never want to join. Most "Clubs" do not make differences but enjoy the benefits. As the word "oversight" (ref: Sceptre posting 5:02:14) does describe the failing trend of "horse safety and well-being" it is quite disturbing to think that there is so much talk with so little action. Mr. Violette has shown great sense and intelligence in his comments and issues that call for attention and certainly not another government take-over. Yes, you are correct - this is not an "industry" - it is a business - a very BIG business and the government that is not concerned at all about the welfare or "well-being" of our prized equine would thoroughly enjoy reaping the equine world of every cent and dollar as they strip it down to the lowest of turf grades with policies and procedures and infiltrations that will give more control and will give the government the hold and the dollar so hard worked for by these thoroughbred performers and those that are part of them in so many ways. The deal would be in their favor and nothing will change - and as a result as they make more it will be at the expense of the thoroughbred, owners and breeders and trainers, jockeys and all else resulting in a default and de-funct "business". The stress on all would be great and surely it would be a disaster and a disgrace if it were to go in that direction. What else should we hand over to them! As for the "Jockey Club", they need to get their act together and focus a bit on the concerns and stop with the threats because of a "PETA" activists group that would take your dog away from you. No, we will not allow or stand for abuse and over medication - so simply get the facts and if proven guilty remove those that do not abide permanently - (did anyone ever hear the term "BANNED")that would be a real good start.

Threat tactics of "drawing the line" is not an indicator that the "Club" can handle its responsibilities and spells "defeat" instead of "desire" to make things right. How disappointing that is. No commissioner! They should show their strength and smarts and have one. Surely - it should be a horseman!

re: The Jockey Club Does Not Speak for Me

Fred and Joan — Sat, 03 May 2014 12:08:51 GMT

You sir must not have had the experience of exercising DEAD lame thoroughbreds at a walk, on the track at a gallop. We have had this experience, and remarkably the horse we were exercising was through the shots given to the horses right knee was able to participate in a race and pass the post and stay sound for two weeks! This occurred right here in the Northwest at one of the major tracks. The same trainer also utilized shock wave therapy on another of the horses in training EVERY DAY for two weeks right up to the day the horse was in a race and broke both legs nearly killing the jockey riding the horse. This was not that long ago and we feel race horses deserve more protections and a centralized authority with enforcement powers and whistle blowers protections to workers in the industry. We are small breeders also, and have had MUCH better opportunities OUT of the Northwest with our home grown sires and broodmares horses. Thank goodness for the people of California and the southwest states providing our horses an opportunity to race and win at tracks such as Del Mar and place at Hollywood Park and at odds of 69/1. Bring on NO drug racing and training! Implement stricter rules and regulations enforced on a federal level and standardized with some flexibility towards varying and local conditions.

re: The Jockey Club Does Not Speak for Me

sceptre — Sat, 03 May 2014 01:57:44 GMT

I agree with almost all of what you, and Mr. Violette, have expressed. I, too, felt disgust with The Jockey Club's (and others) attempts to use, inappropriately, the PETA revelations in furthering their misguided efforts to ban race-day Lasix, and other proven + race-day therapeutics such as GastroGard, and the like. Clearly, their motive is not the well-being of the horse, but at best, only the well-being of the sport. Where we may depart concerns this very subject of horse safety/well-being. I have been a breeder/owner for over 50 yrs., and have witnessed very little improvement in matters concerning racehorse welfare. Oversight continues to be severely lacking-the horse remains at the mercy of his owners/handlers. Racing has consistently failed to reasonably protect them in this "harms way" sport. So here, some form of oversight "agency"/? governmental body is sorely needed. But first they must be properly "schooled"-and therein lies the greatest obstacle.