Straight from the Horse's Heart

Vancouver Humane Society says chuckwagon racing must stop

A horse had to be euthanized after it broke a leg during a chuckwagon race on Tuesday night. Another horse suffered an apparent heart attack after completing a race on Sunday.

VANCOUVER, July 8 /CNW/ – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is calling for an end to chuckwagon racing at the Calgary Stampede, following the death of a second horse at the Stampede.

The horse was euthanized after breaking a leg in one of Tuesday’s (July 7) races. Another horse died of a heart attack after a race on Sunday (July 5).

“Chuckwagon racing is not a sport, it’s animal abuse,” said VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker. People who love horses need to tell the Stampede this has to stop.”

Fricker said the risk of death or injury for horses in chuckwagon racing was unacceptably high, with horses dying nearly every year at the Stampede. He said 23 had died at the races in the last 10 years. “The stress on the horses from this event is far too high. It is clearly inhumane.”

VHS says it believes many people in riding clubs, equestrian associations and other equine groups oppose chuckwagon racing.