Who We Are

The Humane Exchange

American Humane's Blog

A Race Against Inhumanity

Posted May 8, 2008

When American Humane was founded in 1877, the organization immediately began advocating for the humane treatment of horses and other working animals. More than 130 years later, we're as committed as ever to ensuring that horses receive proper care and treatment.

With this legacy of protection in mind, I have been carefully watching the controversy surrounding Eight Belles, the filly euthanized immediately after she finished the Kentucky Derby. It was a tragedy for such a beautiful animal’s life to be unexpectedly cut short, especially at a sporting event attended and watched by children. However, at this time, reports indicate that Eight Belles’ death was not the result of any wrongdoing. A qualified veterinarian determined that her euthanasia was the most humane response to a severe injury.

Several people have asked me if the Eight Belles incident will influence American Humane's position on horse racing. The short answer is no. We have never viewed horse racing as inherently wrong, yet we do strongly believe that participants in the sport should act responsibly and humanely toward horses throughout the duration of their lives -- including after their retirement. We mourn the loss of Eight Belles. At the same time, I think it would be extreme to condemn the entire sport of horse racing as a result of her death.

In many ways, it's similar to our view on the use of animals in film and television, which we have been monitoring since 1940. Animals and the human-animal bond are an important part of life, so it is only natural that animals are involved in virtually all aspects of human activities, including entertainment and sports. For us, it's not about whether animals should take part in these activities, but rather how they're treated when they do. During our tenure in the film and television industry, we have ensured the safety, well-being and humane treatment of hundreds of thousands of animals of all kinds, and we are proud that our work has created a significantly more humane Hollywood. When the rare instance of cruelty or maltreatment occurs, we work to shine light on it and prevent it from happening again.

It could be that some of the questions raised about horse owners and trainers have merit -- for example, those regarding unhealthy inbreeding and the improper use of pain medications in races. American Humane is always ready to unmask any irresponsible and unfeeling perpetrators who employ inhumane practices, in horse racing or in any other area of life.

Bookmark this on del.icio.us Digg this submit to reddit Reddit this StumbleUpon

Submit a comment or question below, or email us.

This is not an open forum, but American Humane welcomes all comments and points of view. We will post selected comments that are considerate and thought-provoking, and we may edit comments for brevity, grammar and/or inflammatory language.

Comments Form

Comments

Submitted by Marie Belew Wheatley at: October 28, 2008

American Humane urges the horse racing industry to closely examine all areas where inhumane practices may be occurring in the breeding, raising, training, racing and retirement of racehorses. This includes factors that may potentially be placing the welfare of horses at risk, such as inbreeding, use of medications, age of horses and type of track surface. Currently, there is no scientific basis to the theory that 2-year-old horses are at a higher risk of injury in the horseracing industry, according to Dr. C. Wayne McIlwraith, director of orthopaedic research at the Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Colorado State University. Dr. McIlwraith, a recognized leader in the field of equine orthopaedic research and surgery, bases his opinion on personal observations and research. American Humane's position as a moderate and reasonable animal welfare organization requires that we keep an open mind, as well as a watchful eye, when these types of controversial issues arise, until conclusive data is available to support a well-informed decision and course of action.

Submitted by K.R. at: October 24, 2008

Horses bones do not finish developing at such a young age as they are being raced. Eight Belles was also a larger horse, and therefore her bones would be even less developed. Thousands of racehorses are injured every year due to this issue alone. These issues ARE known and have been medically proven. This DOES constitute animal abuse. Please research these medical issues and realize that racing horses under the age of 4 IS abusive.