Topic Posted by: Ginger G
Date Posted: Mon May 5 9:02:04 2008
Additional Comments: Before the race started, my boyfriend and I had each picked a horse to win and bet a dollar. I picked Eight Belles. He had just handed me my dollar (his horse didn't even place) when they announced she had gone down and then was euthanized. I felt so disgusted with the whole thing. I used to enjoy watching the Kentucky Derby and other horse races, but after what happened to Eight Belles on Saturday, not to mention Barbaro and others, I don't think I can ever enjoy a horse race again.
Posted by: JuMPer Date posted: Thu May 8 14:28:41 2008
Message: I love horses and always have. They are a joy for the spirit, useful and practical, depending on where you live, I suppose. Now, with high fuel prices, it would be nice to own a horse again. They reproduce, supply fertilizer, can pull plows, carts wagons or carry a pack or a person. They give you smiles whe you don't have one, and aid in weight loss. LOT's of work! ;-)
I was so saddened by the loss of Eight Belles. Not sure exactly what happened. I told husband while we were watching that I thought one of the horses had gotten too close to the horse in front of him and the front horse clipped the legs of the back horse. Don't know if I was right or not. Those feet were flying.
It was a good race...till the end when I caught Eight Belles galloping out of the screen with her head down, and appeared to not be running right. THEN, the jocky pulled her up (reined her in) as she began to go down. I knew it was bad.
My heart sunk. I was so sad.
Then hubby watched NASCAR...toward the end, JR was put out of the race. Accidental or oterwise...my heart sunk again. Competition in a race is tough.
These horses are bred to run. They LOVE what they do. The car drivers love what they do. Things happen. We don't always like the results in the end.
Sure, it is the money that drives the industry.
Could someone explain to me how we can feel so badly about this, yet not pay any attention to the "sport" of human beings put into a cage and beating each other senseless or near death? Co*k (rooster) fighting or dog fighting? (I got the WARNING!! SHeesh!)
I don't condone misuse of an animal, or abuse, but some of these horses are treated better than some people.
Posted by: Laura Date posted: Mon May 5 19:13:23 2008
Message:
I have been a passionate supporter of track surface changes for over two years now. I also think that there are many more changes that should be made to the sport. The sport will never go away so instead of fighting them, we have to force them into changing for the good of the horses, jockeys and of course the future of the sport.
Now...as far as the beautiful filly Eight Belles, I swore off of watching ever since George Washington lost his life in the Breeders Cup in a race he should have never been entered in. I turned the race on just as they showed her lying in the dirt and I knew that they had just put her down. My heart nosedived to my feet and I havent much recovered. Added to my grief of our loss of Mac Mac it was an overall horrible weekend and I wish we could rewind and change it for the better.
Posted by: sam Date posted: Mon May 5 15:27:47 2008
Message: I used to go to the races even though I had a guilty conscience about it. The last time I went to a race was around 1998 and a horse had a heart attack and died right in front of us. I left and never went back, and I refuse to watch it on tv. Unfortunately, it's big business and will always be around.
Posted by: Chewbacca Date posted: Mon May 5 14:42:31 2008
Message:
I live in Maryland, which is home to the Preakness, and horse racing is part of the state's heritage and culture. You can't escape it.
Horse racing is not a favorite sport of mine. The lingo and betting practices are confusing. Plus spending $$$ of dollars to wear some outfit just to watch horses race for a day seems like a waste to me.
But many people enjoy the sport, my grandfather being one of them. Pop ocasionally likes to bet a few dollars here and there on it. I was told by people at another site that he was part of the problem of animal cruelty, his money was blood money, and that I should eat sh!t for not being totally outraged at the horse racing culture.
Also, why are people only outraged when a horse dies tragically? Any other time, people are celebrating the race and can't wait for the next one.
Posted by: Mandy Date posted: Mon May 5 13:43:59 2008
Message: I'm too sad to even look at pictures of her. Poor baby, I just feel sick. Horse racing is exploitation of majestic animals, period.
Posted by: sandy Date posted: Mon May 5 10:40:40 2008
Message: I wanted to share this with all you horse lovers. And you can see these horses love what they're doing.
Posted by: sandy Date posted: Mon May 5 10:18:26 2008
Message: First Barbaro and now this. I am beyond sad over this whole thing. It is all about the money just like the dog racing but this is worse and there is no purpose to it but making people rich. Horses are to me probably the most beautiful creature there is and having owned a couple I know their valiant spirit which is what is being taken advantage of.
Posted by: Kat Date posted: Mon May 5 10:06:34 2008
Message: Please, no one take offense by this, but I have ALWAYS been against horse racing. I think its damn cruel. Does anyone think a horse feels good about having someone on its back running around a track? Believe me, it can't! I hate that humans rule animals and that they do mean things. Just like the bull riding that I had tuned in on last year. It was difficult for me to turn away - the bulls were awesome looking - powerful, and I rooted for the bull against the cowboy. Then I couldn't watch any longer. Its ALL cruel. Sorry if I sound like a prude. Guess I am.
Posted by: Anne Date posted: Mon May 5 9:21:44 2008
Message:
Yes, I agree. I am just heartbroken about that poor beautiful horse. You'd think with all the technology we have today, they could at least repair horses' legs prosthetically.
Obviously not to racing ability, but to save the horse. Let them live a normal life. They deserve that at the least.
And yes, I know race horses are "well taken care of," etc... Sorry, I don't buy that.
I still start to hate the human race for causing such a terrible, terrible tragedy.
Bottom line is money. Who can make the most cash off of an animal. Sickening.
