Story by Mike Clifford of Public News Service
“These animals do end up at slaughter, they are pumped full of drugs, it is unhealthy for people and it should be banned.”
Advocates for animals say the record number of horse deaths during the Winter Meet at Aqueduct is a sure sign that federal regulations are needed. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
NEW YORK – It has been a deadly season for racehorses at Aqueduct and animal advocates say the time has come for federal regulations.
A dozen horses have died at Aqueduct since the current Winter Meet started in December. Brian Shapiro, the New York state director of the Humane Society of the United States, says the New York State Racing Authority has failed when it comes to protecting the health and safety of racehorses.
“It really is horrible,” says Shapiro. “These animals are being pumped full of drugs. Casino gambling is fueling this, and it points to, once again, the lack of the state authority to be able to regulate itself.”
The New York State Racing Authority announced emergency measures following the three most recent horse deaths this month. In a written statement it said it was exceeding recommendations made by a 2012 task force on racetrack health and safety.
Shapiro disputes that, saying it has not followed through on all of the suggestions. He says things won’t change until there are uniform federal regulations for horse racing.
Shapiro says the slaughterhouse is where some racehorses end up when they are no longer able to compete. He says unlike other forms of agriculture, there is no way of knowing where the horses are coming from when they go to slaughter and he hopes New York lawmakers will take action.
“It could be a companion animal, it could be a horse from a petting zoo, it could be a racehorse, it’s indiscriminate,” says Shapiro. “These animals do end up at slaughter, they are pumped full of drugs, it is unhealthy for people and it should be banned.”
Shapiro says he expects a measure that failed to garner enough votes last session will be resurrected soon in Albany. He says it would outlaw sending New York horses to Canada for slaughter; and prevent them being slaughtered in New York should a slaughterhouse be opened in this state.
Categories: Horse News, Horse Slaughter
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
Yes it is time for regulations in horse racing , it has been time for regulations , but i doubt that federal regulations are whats needed, is what we want a huge fail at the Wild Mustangs , those who torture and maim cannot figure out that they are a huge fail , and to date still are doing it ,to be the ones to apply regulations??????? I really dont think so!!!!!! To fix Horse Racing is a relatively easy fix…… it can be done from within the Sport …………………………
LikeLike
What slackers these employees at regulatory agencies are. It’s not bad enough that the regulations are insufficient but the people paid to enforce them neglecting their duties is a slap in the face.
LikeLike
The Feds can’t get their heads out of their pocketbooks, then the citizens of New York certainly have the duty to put the measure on the ballit. Then maybe they can help California figure out how to enforce the law. Because it isn’t and creates a sense of wellbeing that is a wndow for illegal sales and transport.
LikeLike
My OTTB raced only 8 times in 3 years, but won almost $70,000. He has 28 fire pin scars on each foreleg AND surgical scars on the back on front fetlocks. He was vanned off track after his last race.
LikeLike
FYI Pin firing, also known as thermocautery,[1] is the treatment of an injury to a horse’s leg, by burning, freezing, or dousing it with acid or caustic chemicals.[1] This is supposed to induce a counter-irritation and speed and/or improve healing. This treatment is used more often on racehorses than on other performance horses. It is sometimes used in the treatment of bucked shins or splint, curb, or chronic bowed tendons.[2] There was also the theory that it would “toughen” the leg of the horse. This treatment is prevalent in equine veterinary books published in the early 20th century; however many present-day veterinarians and horse owners consider it barbaric and a cruel form of treatment.[3] It is not generally taught in veterinary schools today.[2]
LikeLike
I know what it is, even my vet said he had never seen a horse with that many and to also have had surgery on his fetlocks. He was born in 1995, his last race was in 1999. That’s a lot of piecing together in a short period of time
LikeLike
Just this November, New York tried to get horse racing legal in Colorado, under the guise of education (is anyone surprised at that). Luckily it failed. http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/25-quotes-that-will-rekindle-your-connection-to-nature
LikeLike
Sorry—picked up the wrong article, here is amendment 68 http://kdvr.com/2014/11/04/colorados-amendment-68-appears-headed-for-failure
LikeLike
fyi Pin firing, also known as thermocautery,[1] is the treatment of an injury to a horse’s leg, by burning, freezing, or dousing it with acid or caustic chemicals.[1] This is supposed to induce a counter-irritation and speed and/or improve healing. This treatment is used more often on racehorses than on other performance horses. It is sometimes used in the treatment of bucked shins or splint, curb, or chronic bowed tendons.[2] There was also the theory that it would “toughen” the leg of the horse. This treatment is prevalent in equine veterinary books published in the early 20th century; however many present-day veterinarians and horse owners consider it barbaric and a cruel form of treatment.[3] It is not generally taught in veterinary schools today.[2]
LikeLike
George Strawbridge Jr.
American Equine Summit 2014
LikeLike
Thank you Grandma Gregg for the comments from the speaker. I will certainly contact my Legislator. The unfortunate fact here is that American horses are treated like dirt by the very people who own them and are suppose to protect them. All horses in this country begin their training way too early. Thoroughbreds I have heard begin their training at 18 months, other breeds may start at 2. These are BABIES!!! But again its all about the money. All the breeds need to get their acts together. An Arabian trainer was caught cosmetically changing a horse thru surgery. He was suspended for about 5 years, but yet his brother was allowed to continue showing. What’s that about?? Tenesse Walkers burned and chained their horses to win. It has been reported that Arabian halter horses are repeatedly whipped by trainers at shows in closed barns. Of course the perpetrators cover the horses with blankets and sheets to avoid whip marks. The reining people devised a cruel device with a PVC pipe about 5 or 6 inches in diameter which was placed in the horses mouth and attached to the halter before the reining or western pleasure classes to keep their muths quiet. Some breeds were said to add ginger or other muscle relaxing creams under the horses tails which would burn that sensitive area creating a higher tail carriage. All breeds are guilty of abuse to our magnificent horses. And why?? Its all about the money and NOT the care of the horses. Europe has laughed at the US for years for the inhumane ways some of our horses are treated. As a member of the Arabian Horse Association, I will speak out against abuse as long as it continues. Its unfortunate that those of us who care must continually fight for those cannot speak for themselves. Show stewards need to be accountable for inappropriate activities at horse shows and the same for the racing industry. I hope the EU continues to enforce the EU regulations and stop letting Mexico and Canada take our horses. All breeds have supported slaughter while at least 50% or more of its members oppose. Many people oppose PETA, but they get the job done in bringing the cruelty within the horse industry. To that, I take my hat off. Soon it will be up to the breed association to step up. Everyone that belongs to a breed association should contact the head of registration about the auction houses who sell to slaughter buyers and the veterinarians who took an oath to care for the horses. They knowingly administers drugs under the premise of care. What a crock!!!
LikeLike
When the earth is ravaged and the animals are dying a new tribe shall come unto the earth from all colors, creeds, and classes who by their words and deeds shall make the earth green again. They shall be known as the Warriors of the Rainbow.
A Hopi Phrophecy
LikeLike
Sorry Pat, It was meant for those who might not know !!!!!!
LikeLike