My heart is just breaking for poor Eight Belles

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

I was talking to turtlensue yesterday about the Kentucky Derby and voiced my fears after what happened to Barbaro. Little did I know this tragedy would happen a few hours later. I didn't watch the Derby, but heard about it later. I just bawled all evening. If they're going to insist on racing these beautiful animals, can't they at least make all the tracks safer for them? I just can't stop thinking about it.

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Impossible to make the tracks safe for the horses.

The very fact of running them that fast, and breeding them to be that fast, is dangerous.

It's abuse, plain and simple, no matter how the apologists spin it.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

2. I must agree with you

Sigh.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. It's awful.

I don't the idea of racing in the first place, but what makes it even worse is that now many of these horses are two-year-olds, not grown-up enough to take the physical stress of racing. It's like having a fifteen-year-old kid pitching for the Yankees -- he's going to hurt himself, and these horses hurt themselves. And the horses have no choice, either. Animal racing makes no sense (except maybe for turtle racing, but that's only because the turtles are completely oblivious to the concept of racing and just keep doing what they were going to do anyhow).

[SPKrazy]

4. I can't stand horse races myself

probably for that very reason

those beautiful animals

jacked up on lasix, and bute, and run 'til they can't run anymore

they may be bred to "want" to do that (I don't know how you know what an animal "wants" )

I used to hate to go to Oaklawn with my stbx's family, they seemed enamored with the races, and I felt a little sick about the whole thing. I guess I could have said no, but I didn't and that's my cross to bear.

I have a friend who says the same thing about dog fighting "they want to fight" because they are bred for that. I find that disgusting.


Anyway, I am appalled by the whole animal exploitation business that humans make billions of dollars off of.

:shrug:

:(

[Shine]

5. It's a selfish sport

they suffer and sweat for our amusement. It's a sad testament of our society. :( I've never been a fan of the Derby.

[Skittles]

6. I see Ruffian's trainer recently passed away

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/04/sports/othersports/04whiteley.html?ref=sports