134 Years of Cruelty

Yesterday's 134th running of the Kentucky Derby was marred by tragedy when the filly Eight Belle's finished second then when slowing down about a quarter mile after the finish his front two ankles gave out and broke.

The horse collapsed in the second turn sending his jockey flying into the dirt. But the rider falling was the least of the worries here.

Eight Belle's laid helpless in the dirt of one of the most storied horse racing tracks in the world. Two Equine ambulances came in to surround Eight Belles to shield the rich upper class fans and the drunken infield fans from the horror. They had to euthanize (by injection) Eight Belles right there on the track. If you are not familiar with the term - they had to "put down" or KILL the filly to ease her suffering.

I don't have a problem with the horse doctors having to put her down because I wouldn't want to see this beautiful horse, or any animal for that matter, suffer in pain. My point is she should not have been put that in the position in the first place.

134 years ago, horse racing might very well been the "Sport of Kings" but in the 21st century, these horses are put through hell with a rigorous training program to be the big winner or in hopes to win the coveted triple crown - something which hasn't been done by a horse in 30 years.

100 years ago a man straddling a horse to race might have been legitimist sport, but today they pump these poor horses with chemicals after chemicals after chemicals to make them bigger, stronger, and faster.

The doctor at the Kentucky Derby said Eight Belles accident was something he has never seen before. Well of course not Doc, these horses are being put through the rigors of racing like never before. Did anyone ever think the chemicals they put in these horses might break down their bone strength?

It happened last year to with Barbaro breaking one leg, but they didn't put him down (or euthanize him as they try their best to cover up what it really is - MURDER of an innocent animal.) No the owners didn't put Barbaro down, that poor horse had to suffer surgery after surgery and more than a year of rehab just so it could be the family horse to walk around in the field.

I heard on ESPN this morning there is an average of 700 racing horses put down aka KILLED a year because of "lame limbs".

Where is the justice in all of this? Where is the sport of it all? Just because horse racing is inhabited by millionaires and billionaires it is deemed ok for innocent animals to be tortured just to race in circles to make their owners bank accounts bigger.

I encourage you to speak out and contact People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) about this and any other thoughts you may have on the cruelty of animals.

http://www.peta.org/actioncenter/submit-idea.asp

R.I.P. Eight Belles