Stegosaurus; said:
How do you feel about this traditional race? Is it worth it for entertainment and sponsorships? Does anyone have any ethical concerns about the Kentucky Derby? Are those concerns over-hyped? Is there a middle-ground between both sides of the debate?
A horse has to earn its keep, and most race horses live more healthy lifestyles than you or I. They get pampered day in and out and for the best part of their lives they are extremely happy animals, even when racing to the limit.
Im not sure if you are a keen rider but a horse will never do what it does not want to do, they can be incredibly stubborn creatures. Likewise a horse will always do what it wants to do with enthusiasm and every rider and trainer is well aware of how the horse is feeling.
"[strike]was killed on the spot and hauled away[/strike] "euthanized and disposed of.""
No it was killed on the spot, no point being coy over it, and it was not disposed of, you were right the first time it was hauled away... hauled away to be investigated to ascertain what happened and how to hopefully prevent future incidents.
Ive seen this happen and it is a horrible sight to see. Howver we have to realise that animals can not withstain trauma in the same way humans can, we are mentally extremely resilient when it comes to things like this happening to us, most animals are not. The decision to put any animal down is not one taken lightly or with any ease, these horses are after all peoples work colleagues. There is a lot of love.
Are those concerns over-hyped? Is there a middle-ground between both sides of the debate?
Not at all over hyped, there is genuine concern. Regulation is what is needed. Their needs to be a lot stricter control over steroid use. I also feel there should be new laws governing the breeding of horses, for example limiting the number of offspring each sire can have..... and of course a little common sense approach should be used, investors should be made aware their investment is no good dead or injured, to sway this they could up the conditions, making minimum race requirements for the more prestigious races, thus ensuring the horses are not just quick but also durable, a horse that has to run a dozen races a year is going to have to be stronger than a horse that runs 1 or 2 (which they often do for fear of injury and save them for
the big one).
ExpectantlyIronic; said:
It's longer than normal, and has many more horses running than normal.
Only long for a dirt track, the Melbourne cup and Ascot Gold Cup are longer and compared to some of the steeplechases the Kentucky is a mere sprint.