An Editorial Comment
I know it’s a party, a celebration, a social status event.
However, I cannot forget horses such as Eight Belles just to name one of the many heartbreaking stories that are an all too common part of these events.
Derby Hats ~ Is There Really A Winner?
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I’m sorry I know it’s a tradition but those hats look ridiculous.
You are so right … they are absurd, as are the people who have no idea the price horses pay to be forced to race.
I’ll agree with the hat theory, but with all due respect, it’s not fair to say that those horses hate their job or that they are all bullied into it. The vast majority of thoroughbreds would like nothing more than to run as fast as they could possibly go with a chance of a good competition.
Absolutely right, most of these people haven’t a clue. They are there to be seen and photographed on the red carpet.
I won’t comment on the silliness of the hats (I wear peacock and ostrich feathers everyday in my top hat, so I’m biased…).
But I WILL comment on the comments on horse racing. We can argue over whether or not race horses are bred to run and enjoy racing. But I would argue that if you’re going to say “people have no clue the price horses pay to be forced to race,” you also have to be prepared to question the people who “force” horses to be ridden in their backyards, or “force” horses to live in stables, or “force” horses to jump over fences, or “force” horses to live with certain other horses in “forced” containment in pastures.
No, I am NOT arguing for equine “liberation.” I’m merely suggesting that we make too much out of horseracing’s misfortunes like the tragedy of Eight Belles while ignoring the inherent risks of everyday horse life.
Hi Christina,
First, I’d like to say how much I enjoy your blogsite “The Draft Horse”.
Sad to say, the world of horses is not a perfect world, no matter what the discipline.
It is the ratio of the number of accidents and deaths between race horses and horses not involved in racing that is alarming.
As for horse racing, “Seven Belles” and “Barbaro” are poster horses for the silent others that are injured or die on the track.
These are babies that are, yes, forced to race for monetary reasons. They should still be in the fields completing their growth. At two years old, their legs are not even fully developed.
Between 2003-2005, there were 240 horse deaths on California race tracks, alone.
I live not far from the Del Mar racetrack. In 2007, during the first week of racing, 7 horses were euthanized.
A news report described this event as showing the “dark side of thoroughbred horse racing to the front pages of newspapers around the world”.
I do believe the day will come that horse racing will be more responsible. Already we are seeing improvements in the race tracks and more supervision in the drugs given to these young horses.
I wish for the day that all horses could live out their lives being cared for by those that love them for the beautiful creatures they are and not for … money.
Not to single out racing..but every equine sport has fatalities and drugging from Polo to Rolex. When you look at death ratios from racetrack the stats aren’t quite as staggering as eventing.
I enjoy horse racing..if gives horses jobs in a world that finding fewer and fewer places for them.
On the other hand…so many changes need to take place…maidens at 4, ban on everything outside of Bute and Lasix, huge fines for positive tests, and mandatory vet checks before races and horse is scatched if they hop.
These people do look silly….I can see why it is easy to imply they are clueless about price horses pay…but horses pay everywhere.
They pay when we ask them to carry us, to put a bit in their mouths, to move and leave their herd mates behind, and to tolerate our goals whatever they may be.
I have a love/hate relationship with racing….but believe me when I say…no one wants things to change within the industry more than I.
Good thought provoking post and good discussion.
Hi Photochic,
So glad to see you joining in this discussion. You always have good insight.
I’m not aware of the statistics for eventing, but I know it is dreadful. I think of what horses endure in many of the various competitions and find it very disturbing.
Regarding drugs and artificial enhancements given to horses to win … that needs to stop.
I also have a love/hate relationship with many of the horse sports, in fact, maybe all of them.
We are all in this horse world, and each with their own reasons for how and way we do what we do. It would be interesting to hear from other horse people.
In the meantime, Royal is going to do only what pleases him. No stress for that boy.
Thank you so much for you blog. I enjoy it very much.
I also do not support horse racing after seeing Ruffian run herself to death.
Thanks Horseideology,
Once a person has seen a horse die needlessly on the tracks it is a scene never to be forgotten.
After watching some of the Jockey’s reality show, it’s shocking what these jockeys are being paid – or not being paid – as the case may be considering how they are risking their lives; and in one episode the stink being raised over an artificial track that was safer for the falling jockeys but didn’t let the horses run as fast was in dispute by the horse owners. Yeah, anything for the Almighty Buck.
I think people make to much of a fuss over the hats. I think a good hat is just one that will protect u from the sun and if it doesn’t whats the point of having one.
With the horse racing a lot of people just send these horses to be KILLED!!!!! if they make a little mistake. And all horses can’t just race for all their life, so are they just going to send them there to?
I’ve had a x-race horse I learn’t to ride on. Ii think that they the best horse for riding and just because they have retied that doesn’t mean that they won’t be any good at another sport like cross country.
Love your blog..