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Animal ATTRACTION |
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July 2008
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Since the death of the filly Eight Belles in this year's Kentucky Derby, there's been a brass-band clamor for reform in the horse racing industry. One of the priority concerns is humane care for the racehorses no longer valued at the track.
A recently broadcast HBO special, highlighted that far too many horses are knowingly sent off to slaughterhouses, now operating in Canada and Mexico and causing so much misery and pain. The Humane Society of the United States has long advocated for a more responsible outcome for these horses--the rehabilitation or placement of sound, healthy horses into a loving home or some other safe setting. Many selfless individuals work strenuously (and with little or no financial incentive) in communities throughout the nation to that end--often at their own expense and often doing so with little credit or acknowledgment of their sacrifice. There are a couple of recent developments, according to Wayne Pacelle, HSUS President & CEO, that set an example of which all of horse racing must take note--and then should follow. According to Thoroughbred Times, Suffolk Downs, a track in Boston owned by Richard Fields, has set a new policy which penalizes trainers found to have sold a horse for slaughter--by permanently revoking their stabling privileges on the track. It's a bold step which, if vigorously upheld, will provide an incentive to those that want to train at Suffolk to make sure their charges are placed in good homes, not sold by the pound to the highest bidder. Meanwhile in upstate New York, Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack near Rochester is home to the nation's first on-track horse adoption facility, the Purple Haze Center run by Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program. The Program and Center--funded in part by state funds, private donors, the racetrack and its associated Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association--works to place former Finger Lakes racehorses with equine rescues or approved private individuals. The goal: to eliminate the potential for the horses to suffer an inhumane demise. The people involved are setting a new standard in the world of horse racing, and it's one not only to be celebrated, but emulated throughout the industry. Picture of High Roads First courtesy of Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program. High Roads First is a very pretty mare. She is about 15.3hh and sound. Her adoption fee is $1100. Click on her name for more information. 2 CommentsLeave a comment |
I'm so glad that they are trying to reform Horse racing. These beautiful creatures are not throw-away commodities. They are living, breathing, feeling beings. They deserve better than to be used up and thrown away. That's not right. I hope that more tracks adopt harsher penalties and I hope they stick to them. I know that they won't end horse racing, but they need to take care of the horses. They need to make sure that the horses have every opportunity to be well and safe. I owned a Thoroughbred once. He was sold by his owner because he didn't perform on the racetrack. He was gorgeous, and he was a kind soul. He wasn't a horse for just anyone to ride, but those who could ride him got a ride that you couldn't even imagine. He floated on air. But the best part was his soul. He would walk over to the fence every morning when I was leaving for work and every evening when I came home to greet me and get a kiss. It didn't matter the weather or what he was doing. As I've said before, second chance kisses are the best. And boy did he like to give them! So, long story short, there is so much more to these horses than their racing ability. They have souls and they have love. They deserve the best. (RIP Augustus ("Gus")...I miss your kisses!)
$1100 is far too much for an adoption process. Here is a link to New Vocations rescue, they have horses available at true "adoption" fees When you get in to rates like $1100 for the adoption of a single horse - during a time when registered, well trained horses at a sale barn sell for under $500, it reeks of a profit seeking entity.
http://horseadoption.com/thoroughbreds/
Here about a month ago, NV had a horse that ran in the 2002 Belmont available for $200. I do believe that Finger Lakes aren't as beneficial as they might want to seem.