Print friendly
E-mail story
Tip Us Off
iPod friendly
Comments
Bookmark This
del.icio.us.
Digg!
furl
google
newsvine
reddit
technorati
Facebook
Yahoo!What happened to Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday did not have to happen, and, as a veterinarian, I am frustrated and angry.
Injuries like those of Eight Belles, and thousands of other horses on and off the track, are predictable and avoidable. The musculoskeletal system of horses is not fully mature until approximately 4 years of age and, just like children, they are unable to safely sustain the stress of rigorous, repetitive, concussive activity.
The resulting damage to the bone cells, tendons, ligaments, joints and muscles is often painful and hastens the onset of degenerative diseases. Additionally, the neuromuscular connections are not fully developed thereby rendering their co-ordination less than optimal.
This is no secret to the racing industry. Their rule requiring that a horse must be only 3 years of age in order to participate in the lucrative triple crown races is completely arbitrary and dangerous. It necessitates the initiation of intensive training and conditioning of thoroughbred horses at an unacceptably young developmental stage of life, and thereby degrades their longevity and quality of life.
The racing authorities have the power to upwardly reclassifiy the age requirements so that our young equine athletes could be protected by gradually conditioning them into adulthood. I believe it is incumbent on us to demand that they do so.
Previous Month
Comments
Discussion Guidelines
Thanks for adding a voice of knowledge to what appears to be an unnecessarily brutal practice. Not only is the slaughter of the injured animals reprehensible, but the inordinate amount of time, energy, and money spent on rehabilitating animals that should not be injured in the first place is equally senseless. If everyone had to play by the same rules then there should be no downside increasing the horses' chances for injury-free racing.
tegrat (anonymous profile)
May 8, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Post a comment