Man and Horse
May 23rd 2010 07:52
The welfare and treatment of the thoroughbred horse is always of primary importance to those involved in the racing industry. Virtually everyone is involved at a hands on level because of their admiration for the horse. A willingness to care for and be in company with the animal.
(photo: Leonard Marlborough)
Seldom do we come across a case as disconcerting as that of the now convicted Mr Paragallo in the US, who has been sentenced to gaol (and fined $33,000) for his neglect of the animals in his care. But all of us know the darkness that people can be capable of, and this deficiency across all institutions and facets of life. You will not find perfection in the total of those caring for the horse - just as you will not find perfection in the total of the clergy caring for their ‘flock’.
Too often a knee-jerk reaction follows such a headline - especially from those who oppose the concept of horse racing. The further we pass from a rural setting the less we understand animals - and our symbiotic existence with them. In Melbourne now we have a vocal band of zealots calling for the abolition of jumping races at each and every fall. And eventually they would push to ban all racing because of the myth of the idyll for the animal (as much a myth for animal as it is for man). The RSPCA destroyed over 72,000 animals in 2009. The bulk of these were domestic pets. Those who care for horses have a far better record. And all of us who have cared for horses know the fate that can befall a horse at rest or play in a paddock. A horse requires a lot of care and attention.
The horse is a working animal. It has been so throughout time, ploughing fields, pulling carts - even carrying man into battle from ancient times through to World War 1. In the American Civil War it is estimated that 1.5 million horses were killed. In World War 1 it is estimated that 8 million horses died. In the service of man.
We should not anthropomorphise animals. As cute as a ‘Disney’ adaptation of an animals life may be, it does them no service, it offers no truth to their lives. In most instances racehorses have a happy and rewarding life. Groomed and exercised - and then those days where they show off their athletic prowess in a race. A far better life than that of the highly intelligent pig - bred as meat.
So - what is my point?
That we are custodians of the thoroughbred horse - with their welfare and care our responsibility. And the majority of us - practically all of the time - do our best. But we can do better. We can be better.
Cheryl Ann Quigley - an equine photographer from the US - has brought to my attention the 5R Racehorse Charity Foundation. What I admire about the scope and mission of 5R is that they are willing to bring about improvement and change from the inside. To be part of the industry - and from within to improve and promote the life of the racehorse. They are not a radical voice (with loudhailer and vitriol) throwing stones and spittle from the outside.
I will reproduce below their mission statement, and information about them:
Who We Are
We are passionate about horses and love the sport of horse racing.
We founded the 5R Racehorse Charity Foundation to be a positive force in advocating much needed changes in the racing industry through education, advocacy, and raising funds for other not-for profit groups that are involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of abused thoroughbreds throughout the United States.
About Us
The 5R Racehorse Charity Foundation is managed by AS Rennklub, LLC a horse racing and breeding partnership.
AS Rennklub, LLC was formed by Angelika Hala and Sean Kerr in New York City.
The purpose of our club is to race horses under the best possible conditions for the athletes of the sport: the horses and the jockeys.
We want to give our horses the proper foundation, let them develop and mature enough before they go to the track. We will let them rest when they are not well. We will not administer performance enhancing drugs and this includes Lasix. When a jockey takes one of our horses to the starting gate she or he will enter the race with a sound and strong partner.
5R Racehorse Charity Foundation was created to support organizations and individuals in the rescue, rehabilitation and retirement through promotional, educational and financial means.
And this from their most recent newsletter:
As most of you know by now, Mr. Paragallo is in jail, sentenced to 2 years, ordered to pay a $33,000 fine, and he may still be ruled to pay restitution to Columbia-Greene Humane Society for expenses the organization occurred caring for his horses and finding adoptive homes.
To our knowledge we are the only adopters who intend to race the horses we took on from Paragallo. We do not want to allow for this story to fade away quietly, we are determined to tell these horses’ story to the world, and to make racehorse retirement and welfare an issue such that the racing industry must confront it and can no longer afford to sugarcoat and dodge the real issues.
As part of our future racing program we have set a goal of having 1 million people globally to log on to the internet and watch our team’s first race. Our mission is to drive a grass roots effort to bring the racing industry out of the dark ages and to finally join the modern age.
We long to see the United States shut down because millions of American racing fans have tuned in to the Kentucky Derby. We dream of seeing Breeder’s Cup races getting as much attention as the World Series. And we long to see millions of children wearing jockey silks and T-shirts with their favorite racehorse’s name just as they now wear their favorite NBA or NFL players’ jerseys.
We want to see night racing bring racing fans to the tracks after work and corporations buying private boxes to bring large parties and clients to the races. We long to see modern racetracks that offer the same entertainment value as the Yankee Stadium or the Dallas Cowboys stadium do. We long to see the modern technology of Keeneland racetrack with races tracked by ‘Chiplets’ become industry standard. We long to see the racetracks embrace green technology. Can you imagine a solar panel across the entire roof of Belmont Park that creates enough energy for the lights shining down on a lively crowd of night-time fans? But most of all we long to see real horsemen come back to replace the self-defeating greed that has been bringing the North American racing industry to the brink.
We can do this. All you have to do is say ‘Yes’, and join us.
5R Racehorse Charity Foundation
If you would like more information on the horse in war, the fabulous production War Horse is well worth discovering.
A well cared for thoroughbred blooming with good health on race day
(photo: Leonard Marlborough)
Seldom do we come across a case as disconcerting as that of the now convicted Mr Paragallo in the US, who has been sentenced to gaol (and fined $33,000) for his neglect of the animals in his care. But all of us know the darkness that people can be capable of, and this deficiency across all institutions and facets of life. You will not find perfection in the total of those caring for the horse - just as you will not find perfection in the total of the clergy caring for their ‘flock’.
Too often a knee-jerk reaction follows such a headline - especially from those who oppose the concept of horse racing. The further we pass from a rural setting the less we understand animals - and our symbiotic existence with them. In Melbourne now we have a vocal band of zealots calling for the abolition of jumping races at each and every fall. And eventually they would push to ban all racing because of the myth of the idyll for the animal (as much a myth for animal as it is for man). The RSPCA destroyed over 72,000 animals in 2009. The bulk of these were domestic pets. Those who care for horses have a far better record. And all of us who have cared for horses know the fate that can befall a horse at rest or play in a paddock. A horse requires a lot of care and attention.
The horse is a working animal. It has been so throughout time, ploughing fields, pulling carts - even carrying man into battle from ancient times through to World War 1. In the American Civil War it is estimated that 1.5 million horses were killed. In World War 1 it is estimated that 8 million horses died. In the service of man.
We should not anthropomorphise animals. As cute as a ‘Disney’ adaptation of an animals life may be, it does them no service, it offers no truth to their lives. In most instances racehorses have a happy and rewarding life. Groomed and exercised - and then those days where they show off their athletic prowess in a race. A far better life than that of the highly intelligent pig - bred as meat.
So - what is my point?
That we are custodians of the thoroughbred horse - with their welfare and care our responsibility. And the majority of us - practically all of the time - do our best. But we can do better. We can be better.
Cheryl Ann Quigley - an equine photographer from the US - has brought to my attention the 5R Racehorse Charity Foundation. What I admire about the scope and mission of 5R is that they are willing to bring about improvement and change from the inside. To be part of the industry - and from within to improve and promote the life of the racehorse. They are not a radical voice (with loudhailer and vitriol) throwing stones and spittle from the outside.
I will reproduce below their mission statement, and information about them:
Who We Are
We are passionate about horses and love the sport of horse racing.
We founded the 5R Racehorse Charity Foundation to be a positive force in advocating much needed changes in the racing industry through education, advocacy, and raising funds for other not-for profit groups that are involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of abused thoroughbreds throughout the United States.
About Us
The 5R Racehorse Charity Foundation is managed by AS Rennklub, LLC a horse racing and breeding partnership.
AS Rennklub, LLC was formed by Angelika Hala and Sean Kerr in New York City.
The purpose of our club is to race horses under the best possible conditions for the athletes of the sport: the horses and the jockeys.
We want to give our horses the proper foundation, let them develop and mature enough before they go to the track. We will let them rest when they are not well. We will not administer performance enhancing drugs and this includes Lasix. When a jockey takes one of our horses to the starting gate she or he will enter the race with a sound and strong partner.
5R Racehorse Charity Foundation was created to support organizations and individuals in the rescue, rehabilitation and retirement through promotional, educational and financial means.
And this from their most recent newsletter:
As most of you know by now, Mr. Paragallo is in jail, sentenced to 2 years, ordered to pay a $33,000 fine, and he may still be ruled to pay restitution to Columbia-Greene Humane Society for expenses the organization occurred caring for his horses and finding adoptive homes.
To our knowledge we are the only adopters who intend to race the horses we took on from Paragallo. We do not want to allow for this story to fade away quietly, we are determined to tell these horses’ story to the world, and to make racehorse retirement and welfare an issue such that the racing industry must confront it and can no longer afford to sugarcoat and dodge the real issues.
As part of our future racing program we have set a goal of having 1 million people globally to log on to the internet and watch our team’s first race. Our mission is to drive a grass roots effort to bring the racing industry out of the dark ages and to finally join the modern age.
We long to see the United States shut down because millions of American racing fans have tuned in to the Kentucky Derby. We dream of seeing Breeder’s Cup races getting as much attention as the World Series. And we long to see millions of children wearing jockey silks and T-shirts with their favorite racehorse’s name just as they now wear their favorite NBA or NFL players’ jerseys.
We want to see night racing bring racing fans to the tracks after work and corporations buying private boxes to bring large parties and clients to the races. We long to see modern racetracks that offer the same entertainment value as the Yankee Stadium or the Dallas Cowboys stadium do. We long to see the modern technology of Keeneland racetrack with races tracked by ‘Chiplets’ become industry standard. We long to see the racetracks embrace green technology. Can you imagine a solar panel across the entire roof of Belmont Park that creates enough energy for the lights shining down on a lively crowd of night-time fans? But most of all we long to see real horsemen come back to replace the self-defeating greed that has been bringing the North American racing industry to the brink.
We can do this. All you have to do is say ‘Yes’, and join us.
5R Racehorse Charity Foundation
If you would like more information on the horse in war, the fabulous production War Horse is well worth discovering.
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