by Amber Lesovoy

Created on: March 16, 2009

Is the Cruelty Undeniable?

Cruelty. Abuse. Exploitation. There are a number of derogatory terms aimed at the Sport of Kings, and with good reason. Even those who are involved in horse racing acknowledge the truth behind many of the claims of animals rights groups such as PeTA. Young horse are started before they are physically mature, already delicate bones are stressed to the breaking point, still soft cartilage in knees is damaged and destroyed. Thousands of horses every year break down at tracks worldwide, and even the few that do survive their racing career rarely come out unscathed.

Start Early, or Miss the Money

The big money in horse racing lies in the two year old races. As a result, there is tremendous pressure on trainers to get babies started as quickly as possible, or risk missing out on that valuable two year old year. Owners are generally more concerned with the almighty dollar than the horse, and few owners have much real horse knowledge. Trainers do care about their charges, but they are also trying to make a living and a name for themselves, and will often neglect to tell the owner when his horse is not fit to run. It's a gamble, and all parties are in to win.

At two years of age, a horse is not physically mature. Most horses mature around four years old, at which time their bones are more developed and their growth plates (in the knees) are closed or closing. A two year old horse's growth plates are still soft cartiliage, and the strain of running with a rider over hard ground is enough to permanently disable many.

As a two year old, horses are not mentally mature either, and they succumb to the stress that being at the track and trailered back and forth brings. They get very limited turnout, and are fed high energy diets. As a result, many are extremely high strung, exciteable, and develop bad habits. Some start cribbing, weaving in the stall, kicking or striking at handlers.

Thousands of young horses break down at the track, be it from shattered ankles, fractured sesamoids, broken knees, or even heart attacks. Only a few of these horses make it public, the way Barbaro and Eight Belles' deaths were publicised. There are many, many more Barbaro's in the racing world, and few get the special care Barbaro did. Had that tragedy not been caught on live television during a major racing event, there would probably not have been the extensive care and coverage of his injury and death.

Bred to Break Down

The Thoroughbred, in particular, as a breed is quite

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