How can you support the Kentucky Derby but still be considered an animal lover when they mistreat the horses?

Question

animal crulety

Answer 1

this was the last time for me to watch we had the race on TV where I worked it made me sick to see a beautiful proud horse die and everyone there was cheering and jumping up and down counting there money that the horse gave her life for shame on this so called sport

Answer 2

Exactly how do they mistreat the horses? They feed them well, house them in the best facilities and train them by the best. They truly love their horses. Now a race horse is far more likely to injury's because of there breeding. They are not a tough horse like a quarter horse or a mustang. They are built for speed much in the same way a grayhound dog is built for speed. I'm always sorry to see a horse come up with injuries after a race, and having to be put down because of an injury is just awful, but it is not animal cruelty.

Answer 3

That's a fallacious question, just assuming they "mistreat" horses without the slightest evidence.

Thoroughbreds have no other purpose than to go fast. Through the Arab lines, they are as close to an "original" horse as we can get, and their light bone structure is still designed for fast acceleration and speed to get away from predators.

Other breeds, all truly "man-made," like draft horses and hunters, have been crossed to have sturdier legs -- at the expense of speed & acceleration.  Thoroughbreds would have gone extinct long ago if it weren't for racing; they are just not the best choice for any other use.

This horse was passed by her vet, her trainer and the track vets -- and she didn't break her ankles during the race, but AFTERWARD.  It could easily have happened -- and often does -- to any Thoroughbred out in a field, just galloping around or playing.  It happens. It's the price one pays for having a horse that evolution would have otherwise have passed by long ago.

While there is some argument that requiring horses to be a bit older before they are raced would be better.  I may even agree.  But considering racing "cruelty" is simply wrong, and betrays a basic ignorance of horses.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.   You are not, however, entitled to your own "facts."

Answer 4

Definitely although since you can make so much money with horse racing people tend to try and ignore that paradox. I'm not Derby supporter but obviously though people will soon forget about this just like they forgot about Barbaro

Answer 5

The same way I support the Seminoles and the Jets in football, where poor young men with physical talent are breezed through school, shot up with drugs, can barely read or write, and are thrust into the spotlight in one of the most physical games in the world.

Life isn't always nice, and humans are far from perfect. No business is completely free of wrong doing, to include religion. I don't expect the impossible, so I can enjoy the derby and horse racing for what it is.

Answer 6

People stopped wearing fur coats in public and PETA needed another "scapegoat" issue for which to anger honest, intelligent Americans.....

PETA is another group that consists of liberal leftist extremists..... They splash "red paint" symbolizing blood on people that wear leather or fur clothing..... They hold "die-ins" and practice civil disobedience when protesting stuff like "dead cockroaches", "circus animal behavior" or "bird habitats" are threatened.....

I feel sorry for the horse, but considering they cannot be easily "repaired" or fitted with prostetics like humans when broken limbs occur, freak accidents such as this and the one that occurred to Barbero are unfortunate, but PETA always has to point fingers and blame others when accidents do happen and the trainers/jockeys don't hurt their animals on purpose.

The world would be a better place if PETA and Greenpeace just concentrates on preserving the wildlife of the world and not wasting their time on issues that don't have to do with animal abuse.

Answer 7

They do not mistreat horses

Answer 8

Such a critical opinion about a group such as PETA reveals a lack of knowledge.  Whether you agree or disagree with the particular tactics used by one group or another can be a good discussion, but to speak in absolutes also reveals a lack of awareness.

Beyond PETA's presentation, what if 90% of what PETA reports is true.  Or 80%?  Or even 50%?  Do you really think PETA is making this stuff up or twisting the facts so much as to negate the reality?  Do you think the undercover video footage of the cruelty ex-racehorses often face behind the solid walls of the slaughterhouse is staged?  Or the video footage of the elephant screaming in pain as she is beaten over and over again with a hook by a circus trainer is not really cruelty?  If so, I encourage you to watch some of these videos.  Get a copy of "Earthlings", narrated by Joaquin Pheonix.  

It is our obligation as conscientious sentient humans to ask ourselves some tough questions about what we do to the other sentient beings that we share this planet with and why.  Period.  

Every one of us should delve into "animal rights" with an open mind.  And I say open mind because most of us had our minds closed as children when we were taught that animals were put here for us - to do with as we please, for our pleasures and desires.  And this means being honest about the cold hard facts about why this way of "thinking" allows so many of us to support and participate in what often leaves  other sentient beings to suffer cruelty.  

The problem with horse racing goes so far beyond Eight Belles.  Her sad dealth just reflects the bigger injustice that her whole purpose for existing was for human pleasure and entertainment.  

We humans soothe our conscience with "If I don't know the details, then I don't have to think about it," such as what goes on in slaughterhouses and in animal research facilities and in circuses.

At least Eight Belles didn't end up in a slaughterhouse.  You're fooling yourself if you think ex-racehorses get to live happily ever after and retire to green pastures when they cannot race anymore, i.e. make their owners money anymore.  Most of them worldwide get sent to slaughter, either here in The U.S. or overseas.  Because horse racing is a business.

So, you can put your head in the sand and squabble about superficial details and say "Oh well, accidents happen, it is unfortunate, BUT...."   Or you  might dig deeper into your conscience and ask yourself why we humans support UNECESSARY practices that often cause the other beings we share this planet with to suffer.

Answer 9

If they waited until the horses were older to race them, they likely wouldn't have so many health issues. When you watch show jumping on tv- horses are usually 8+ years old. We don't begin doing ground work with ours until they are at least 3. For some of them, we wait longer depending on the horse. It's ridiculous to race horses at 2 years of age. I volunteer at a thoroughbred rescue, I have 2 ex racers myself- and most of them have soundess problems. Most people don't understand why, but a horse isn't done growing at the age of 2. Most dressage, jumper, hunter trainers don't do anything heavy until at least 4.

So yes, I agree that the horses are treated well. They are fed, groomed, and live in gorgeous barns, but unfortunately the cruel part is the physical stress that is put on them.

EDIT- This is why it has nothing to do with them not being a "tough" horse. Any good horse trainer waits until 3 for any horse. They may do light work at the age of 2, but certainly don't expect them to do the work of a race horse. Arabs are light as well, and I know a prominent endurance rider who waits until her horses are 5 before training- it's all about being responsible.

Answer 10

Have you ever thought objectively about our human agenda on Earth?  What is human agenda?  What would happen if humans stopped using/breeding animals for entertainment, food, research or clothing?  Is it possible that animals have their own evolutionary purpose  far beyond our utility?  Hmmm.  And that we humans may be holding animals back from their greater evolutionary purpose by binding them to our selfish desires, where a horse must die because it's physical body can not withstand the rigors of our entertainment?   I think we are holding animals back from a greater purpose than what we usually see because of our human agenda.  And I began to understand this when I started thinking beyond what I had been taught since I was a child - about the existence of the evolution of all earthlings, and what it means to exist collectively as interconnected spiritual beings.   This logic comes from an ancient wisdom all humans have, but most have forgotten.

Answer 11

I am a vegetarian because of how much I love animals and hate animal cruelty.

I am ashamed to admit I watched the derby today, I felt guilty, but I used to have horses a long time ago, love them so much and just wanted to look at how beautiful they are.

I was looking for someone to root for (always the underdog) and when i heard Eight Belles was the only Filly I rooted like h**l for her...then...well I will never watch the derby again, and I will always remember her.

I once knew a small time owner who really loved his horses, even the ones who just hung out at the barn and could not race. Yes there is cruelty and animal abuse for human amusement, but it is not all black and white. Like anything else ther is good and bad.

I just hope Eight Belles gets the honor she deserves.

Answer 12

How are they mistreating the horses? They put the horse to sleep to stop any further sufferring. It's a compassionate, if not necessary move.

Answer 13

It IS animal cruelty. I can't even understand why people would do this to horses.

People just sit with their money and their stupid fluffy hats with bouncing sh*t coming out of the top and dont realize what the horses are being put through! I didnt make it to the television in time but when i found out this morning i was heartbroken. Its so sad how people put young horses in like that for MONEY. Its really depressing. I would be so mordified if my favorite horse on this planet was put into a big shindig like that and had to be put down for breaking to ankles.

I'll pray for Eight Bells.