Anyone else done with these euthanasia questions?

Question

I've had about enough of people saying "the owner didn't care" "why not rehabilitate".

I think the owner cared a lot and that was the smart thing to do. Probably the hardest choice they ever had to make and God rest Eight Belles she ran a hard race and was a beautiful filly.

Here's to her memory and hoping that some day they'll realize these horses need to be a little older before they're put through such a test.

Answer 1

I think people don't realize that when having to put down one of these horses it's almost like having to put down a family member. The veterinarians (Note these Vets. all specialize in equine, so they know what they are talking about) all said there was nothing that could be done for her. She broke 2 ankles if it had been just one they could have done something but 2 nothing could be done. She gave her all and then some, she came in second place, she did a great job. The Derby is the test, it's what makes great horses stand out from all the other race horses. Just getting to run in the Kentucky Derby is a great accomplishment. I feel for her owners and the trainer they all lost a wonderful horse today and even to some degree a member of their family. The fact is putting her down was really the only thing they could do.

Answer 2

Thank you so much! I've been writing back to people all afternoon about this!

It is a shame she was injured but these things happen in sports - we don't complain when human athletes get injured because they can use crutches and wheel chair.

Its commendable that people are concerned but they need the FACTS. I'm so sick of people saying that racing is cruel - if it weren't for racing thoroughbreds would die out like the cleveland bay has. They exist in such numbers because there is an economic institution to support them.

It's just like the slaughter house stuff - people don't want the poor horses being put down. Well where are those +300k horses without anywhere to go staying now? The Assoc. of Vet. Med. said that slaughter is only compounding the excess of horses we have here and they're seeing increases in neglect BECAUSE the slaughter houses have closed.

I wish people would stop reaction so emotionally and realize that some things are hard but necessary.

Thanks guys for this breath of sanity.

Answer 3

AMEN Sister! Couldn't have said it better myself, Thank You!

Answer 4

Euthanizing Eight Belles was the ONLY humane thing to do.  It's that simple.

I think that we will all remember what an amazing job she did at the Derby.  Kudos to Big Brown, but Eight Belles will always be the winner of this year's Derby in my book.

Answer 5

I'm not sure the problem is age related.  I've been watching racing for nearly 40 years, and it seems that the number of horses breaking down increases each year.  In my humble opinion, the Jockey Club should consider forcing some diversification (not sure that is the correct word in this case) in the bloodlines of newly registered thoroughbreds.  If you look into the pedigrees of Grade I Stakes horses, you'll see the same names over and over and over again.  I just can't believe the current level of linebreeding is healthy for the breed in the long run.  I don't really care if the Derby is run in 2:01 -- 2:04 is fine so long as all the horses finish the race healthy and happy.

Answer 6

I completely agree with every point you made.  I've been on a tangent since this afternoon, and it is nice to see so many other people feel the same way I do about horses as I do, especially one's who have previously truly enjoyed the races but now it's all bittersweet.  

I truly wonder though, would this injury to Eight Belles have happened if she wasn't pushed by her trainer and owner.  She was pulled out of a Friday race where she could have done stellar time in her own class and put in the Derby race instead.  At least she was put out of her pain quickly.  The good always die young and heaven has another angel wrapped in fur.