Eight Belles toll
May 10th 2008 05:12
It was a sad occasion when Eight Belles had to be euthanised after running so bravely when second behind Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby. In the following days PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals) began a campaign to suspend the jockey (Gabriel Saez) and gain momentum for their desired wish to bring an end to horse racing in all of its forms.
(AP photo/Morry Gash)
I went to the PETA website to fully inform myself about their protest. I come to the debate from an opposite view, that of someone who has first hand knowledge and experience of the thoroughbred horse industry in both racing and breeding spheres.
They state as an argument that horse racing is (and I quote) “ it’s a dirty business and no better than dogfighting.”
An extreme argument and totally illogical. The reason and function of (the barbaric) dogfighting is to have one dog maim or kill another. Its only goal is the glory of violence. I have never met anyone involved with horses, in either racing or breeding, who wants to see a horse harmed or mistreated. If you have been around horses you would know that the opposite of their analogy is true.
Unfortunately the tone of the PETA campaign brought many letter writers to add venom and insult to their statements and prejudice. Some contributors went so far as to call everyone involved in horse racing scum, and the hatred and abuse levelled was frightening. Some people responded with the zealotry of the anti-abortionist campaigner. A deep held belief is not a wrong thing, but it has resulted (anti-abortionists) with murder as an extreme (and illogical) response.
But the stance of PETA was not totally devoid of merit. There were two points they contributed which are worthy of further investigation. The first point they make is how inappropriate hard (dirt) surfaces are for racing. In Australia we now have a policy of producing a good track for racing, one with sufficient moisture and cushion. Gone are the old days of letting the weather (wind and heat) produce a too firm track. Most racetracks in Melbourne are now slightly rain affected (through artificial watering if no rain has fallen) the night before a race meeting. The track will improve to good, but never become too firm. Having tracks with cushion is good for the care of horses and a point well taken (and policy here in Melbourne already). Second point was the age of thoroughbreds and immature bones. They say that the three year olds in the Derby were babies and bones still not formed. In fact the 3yo’s would be more akin to teenagers. A horse will reach maturity at ages four through to five. I personally don’t like two year old racing. At least I am against racing 2yo’s in the Spring and before Christmas. I would prefer that no race competition was held until the Autumn. One or two runs then for education, and then out until they turn three. That is my opinion and preference.
The debate about whether fillies should be allowed to compete against colts (another issue raised by PETA) is not one with any historical credibility. Fillies often do beat their male counterparts at two, three and older (remember Makybe Diva winning three Melbourne Cups). Often people anthropomorphise animals which does them (both man and animal) a disservice. It begins the conversation from a place of misunderstanding.
The evolution of the fences used in both hurdles and steeplechases (in Melbourne) has made jumping races much safer. Horses can (and do) make mistakes, and they will usually come to no harm now as a result of the fences. But perhaps one day jumping races will be phased out completely. It is something for consideration and discussion. I watch these races and marvel at the spectacle and bravery of horse and rider (and no, you cannot make a horse jump unless it wishes to do so). But I am ambivalent about these races as they are inherently more liable to cause injury to all involved.
PETA does perform a valuable service as it raises awareness of animal (domestic, farm and wild) care and treatment. But it needs to be a voice of reason. A voice of communication and compromise. A voice of debate. Yelling obscenities into the ears of the grieving is neither communication nor constructive. PETA should always be at liberty to highlight cruelty where they should so find it; but should also be prepared to put down the megaphone and engage in conversation (and some instruction if need be) to understand the truth of some who they may demonise.
Last year I sent the subscribers to Speedratings a video link to the European horse who I assessed as the best overseas (visiting raider) chance. This horse was Purple Moon who subsequently ran second in the Melbourne Cup to Efficient after an unlucky 6th in the Caulfield Cup. The video shows Purple Moon in some of his races, but also shows the training establishment and regime of his trainer Luca Cumani. Francesca Cumani (daughter of Luca) is the groom and constant companion for Purple Moon. As she is being interviewed Purple Moon moves to her and gently nudges her. Then (being ignored) Purple Moon nudges a bit more vigourously until Francesca is forced to turn and acknowledge the horse. There is a bond. He craves her attention (and affection). I doubt if this is something born of cruelty.
Today a horse will be in a paddock, enjoying the sunshine and running from point to point. At play. It may be a racehorse (at rest) or a children’s hack. But it will place its hoof in the wrong spot and shatter a bone. Or it may catch itself on a rail as it rears in play. Or it may run onto a road. I have carried a dying pet cat to the vet after it has been hit by a car. Our animals become injured, and sometimes through accident they die. As much as we love our pet animals, dogs and cats, they often die as a result of misadventure (or our own neglect). Should we not also have companion animals?
A horse in an animal that we have bred for (initially) strength, speed (and later) beauty. So often has it been the driver of industry, pulling weight and moving man and product. Or even taking us to the battlefield. There has always been an affinity between man and horse akin to that of man and dog. But rather than only companionship, we have relied on the horse as a driver of industry as well. We grew to respect the horse for many reasons.
Pigs are an intelligent animal we breed only for slaughter. Similarly cattle and sheep (for meat, or with sheep we fleece them and inflict much trauma in the process). We do not have a good record with our behaviour towards animals (apart from dogs who have evolved to reject their own species and slavishly attend us). If we are to be judged by our maker on judgement day on our treatment of animals, I will take my chances on declaring myself a lover of the horse. And enjoying their efforts of (God given) speed. I still may miss entry, but at least I will have been true to myself.
I know of domestic pets (dogs and cats) treated abhorrently. Kicked and abused, dumped and left to die. The welfare of the racehorse is heavily regulated and policed. And the majority of those involved in the industry put the concern of the horse first and foremost.
We eat chocolate by the vast quantity even though we know it is primarily produced by the slave labour of children. We breed humans into situations of abject poverty. Death and disease their everyday. We are no better managers of humanity than we are of horse. If we are to have a debate, it should be a balanced debate.
Horse racing is symbolic and an easy target. It will survive long after all critics have made their final arguments. It is conducted (in the main) with love and respect for the animal, but with full knowledge of the danger. We breed dogs with deformities and genetic problems on the whim of fashion There is never to be a utopian existence for us all (man or animal). If you look for perfection you will not find it in the world of the horse and those who surround them. Show me this paragon of perfection in this world. It is definitely not humanity. And it is not PETA.
You will not find a perfect world. It defies our efforts of feeble creation. But in this imperfect world there is more beauty than terror, more care and affection in our love for the horse than most things in life.
Nobody wanted Eight Belles to die.
Nobody.
Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby
(AP photo/Morry Gash)
I went to the PETA website to fully inform myself about their protest. I come to the debate from an opposite view, that of someone who has first hand knowledge and experience of the thoroughbred horse industry in both racing and breeding spheres.
They state as an argument that horse racing is (and I quote) “ it’s a dirty business and no better than dogfighting.”
An extreme argument and totally illogical. The reason and function of (the barbaric) dogfighting is to have one dog maim or kill another. Its only goal is the glory of violence. I have never met anyone involved with horses, in either racing or breeding, who wants to see a horse harmed or mistreated. If you have been around horses you would know that the opposite of their analogy is true.
Unfortunately the tone of the PETA campaign brought many letter writers to add venom and insult to their statements and prejudice. Some contributors went so far as to call everyone involved in horse racing scum, and the hatred and abuse levelled was frightening. Some people responded with the zealotry of the anti-abortionist campaigner. A deep held belief is not a wrong thing, but it has resulted (anti-abortionists) with murder as an extreme (and illogical) response.
But the stance of PETA was not totally devoid of merit. There were two points they contributed which are worthy of further investigation. The first point they make is how inappropriate hard (dirt) surfaces are for racing. In Australia we now have a policy of producing a good track for racing, one with sufficient moisture and cushion. Gone are the old days of letting the weather (wind and heat) produce a too firm track. Most racetracks in Melbourne are now slightly rain affected (through artificial watering if no rain has fallen) the night before a race meeting. The track will improve to good, but never become too firm. Having tracks with cushion is good for the care of horses and a point well taken (and policy here in Melbourne already). Second point was the age of thoroughbreds and immature bones. They say that the three year olds in the Derby were babies and bones still not formed. In fact the 3yo’s would be more akin to teenagers. A horse will reach maturity at ages four through to five. I personally don’t like two year old racing. At least I am against racing 2yo’s in the Spring and before Christmas. I would prefer that no race competition was held until the Autumn. One or two runs then for education, and then out until they turn three. That is my opinion and preference.
The debate about whether fillies should be allowed to compete against colts (another issue raised by PETA) is not one with any historical credibility. Fillies often do beat their male counterparts at two, three and older (remember Makybe Diva winning three Melbourne Cups). Often people anthropomorphise animals which does them (both man and animal) a disservice. It begins the conversation from a place of misunderstanding.
The evolution of the fences used in both hurdles and steeplechases (in Melbourne) has made jumping races much safer. Horses can (and do) make mistakes, and they will usually come to no harm now as a result of the fences. But perhaps one day jumping races will be phased out completely. It is something for consideration and discussion. I watch these races and marvel at the spectacle and bravery of horse and rider (and no, you cannot make a horse jump unless it wishes to do so). But I am ambivalent about these races as they are inherently more liable to cause injury to all involved.
PETA does perform a valuable service as it raises awareness of animal (domestic, farm and wild) care and treatment. But it needs to be a voice of reason. A voice of communication and compromise. A voice of debate. Yelling obscenities into the ears of the grieving is neither communication nor constructive. PETA should always be at liberty to highlight cruelty where they should so find it; but should also be prepared to put down the megaphone and engage in conversation (and some instruction if need be) to understand the truth of some who they may demonise.
Last year I sent the subscribers to Speedratings a video link to the European horse who I assessed as the best overseas (visiting raider) chance. This horse was Purple Moon who subsequently ran second in the Melbourne Cup to Efficient after an unlucky 6th in the Caulfield Cup. The video shows Purple Moon in some of his races, but also shows the training establishment and regime of his trainer Luca Cumani. Francesca Cumani (daughter of Luca) is the groom and constant companion for Purple Moon. As she is being interviewed Purple Moon moves to her and gently nudges her. Then (being ignored) Purple Moon nudges a bit more vigourously until Francesca is forced to turn and acknowledge the horse. There is a bond. He craves her attention (and affection). I doubt if this is something born of cruelty.
Today a horse will be in a paddock, enjoying the sunshine and running from point to point. At play. It may be a racehorse (at rest) or a children’s hack. But it will place its hoof in the wrong spot and shatter a bone. Or it may catch itself on a rail as it rears in play. Or it may run onto a road. I have carried a dying pet cat to the vet after it has been hit by a car. Our animals become injured, and sometimes through accident they die. As much as we love our pet animals, dogs and cats, they often die as a result of misadventure (or our own neglect). Should we not also have companion animals?
A horse in an animal that we have bred for (initially) strength, speed (and later) beauty. So often has it been the driver of industry, pulling weight and moving man and product. Or even taking us to the battlefield. There has always been an affinity between man and horse akin to that of man and dog. But rather than only companionship, we have relied on the horse as a driver of industry as well. We grew to respect the horse for many reasons.
Pigs are an intelligent animal we breed only for slaughter. Similarly cattle and sheep (for meat, or with sheep we fleece them and inflict much trauma in the process). We do not have a good record with our behaviour towards animals (apart from dogs who have evolved to reject their own species and slavishly attend us). If we are to be judged by our maker on judgement day on our treatment of animals, I will take my chances on declaring myself a lover of the horse. And enjoying their efforts of (God given) speed. I still may miss entry, but at least I will have been true to myself.
I know of domestic pets (dogs and cats) treated abhorrently. Kicked and abused, dumped and left to die. The welfare of the racehorse is heavily regulated and policed. And the majority of those involved in the industry put the concern of the horse first and foremost.
We eat chocolate by the vast quantity even though we know it is primarily produced by the slave labour of children. We breed humans into situations of abject poverty. Death and disease their everyday. We are no better managers of humanity than we are of horse. If we are to have a debate, it should be a balanced debate.
Horse racing is symbolic and an easy target. It will survive long after all critics have made their final arguments. It is conducted (in the main) with love and respect for the animal, but with full knowledge of the danger. We breed dogs with deformities and genetic problems on the whim of fashion There is never to be a utopian existence for us all (man or animal). If you look for perfection you will not find it in the world of the horse and those who surround them. Show me this paragon of perfection in this world. It is definitely not humanity. And it is not PETA.
You will not find a perfect world. It defies our efforts of feeble creation. But in this imperfect world there is more beauty than terror, more care and affection in our love for the horse than most things in life.
Nobody wanted Eight Belles to die.
Nobody.
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