Breakdown: Death and Disarray at America's Racetracks

[@ggamer77]

Horse racing is not about the horses. Its about the money. Always has been, and always will be. The horses suffer for it.

[@liv_7271]

Yes

[@garrisonnichols7372]

What about the jockeys? We just not going to mention them?

[@ElveeKaye]

@@garrisonnichols7372 The jockeys can choose not to ride. The horses have no choice. Hundreds of horses die on the tracks, and in the barns, of the racing industry every year. How many jockeys die?

[@HK-gm8pe]

I hate that sport, I am soo happy that it doesnt happen in my country , they say that everyday at least 3 horses die in US race tracks alone...thats too much, I hate to watch how horses suffer

[@kevinslaven9036]

of course, it's a business like any other pro sport.

[@xxhayziexx]

I dislike that they use the term “breaking down” for horses like they are some kind of machine.

[@paigen4883]

Exactly- those poor horses pay the price for human greed :( so many innocent lives cut drastically short.

[@lauralatha3850]

I 100% agree with what you are saying but I guess it is fitting for the way they are treating them.

[@prochey69]

Talking about New York specifically, that's exactly how horses are seen. The carriage and police horses there are kept in multi-level concrete parking garages, with no windows or grass. Definitely not limited to one place, but it's one of the places I'd pray not to end up if I were a horse.

[@xxhayziexx]

@@prochey69 wow that’s absolutely horrific. I didn’t know that. How sad that they treat animals that they don’t even need like that. :c

[@kayceadair]

Well breaking down is the scientific term for it. Humans use that term too for themselves. Personally I’m not bothered

[@taocat9540]

I've seen what drugs can do to a horse. My boss bought an OTT gelding...7yo. When we let him loose in the pasture, he owned it. Little did we know he was "buted up". 3 days later he couldn't even walk. He dropped weight so fast it made our heads spin. I'd like to knock the crap out of the previous owner for doing that to him.

[@2lucid107]

+MsVanorak horses are meant to carry the weight of a person.

[@2lucid107]

+MsVanorak Look at the evolution of the horse over the last 65 million years. Specifically the last 10 million. And yes, there is a tribe that uses reindeer as their mode of transportation (riding and driving) as it's too cold to maintain a herd of horses.

[@oceanequestrian11]

MsVanorak it is Phenylbutazone which is a high powered pain medication given to Horses and other livestock for pain management

[@moomoo3031]

I only had one horse that got bute. It was a tiny pony who was foundered so bad she couldnt walk. We had her hooves trimmmed down over the winter and she could hobble around. but then the grass came up and she got worse and I knew she was hurting. So we called Virginia tech vet school to donate her...they came out aand gave her a shot of bute. I could see the pain leave her eyes...but you cant keep a pony on bute for long. VT people took her and made her a pet for over a week, then she was euthanizeed to study founder. But bute doesnt do anything but mask pain, not fix it. If a horse is hurting and has bute, it wont think its hurt anymore. So this is what is hurting these young horses. I hate horse racing! Oh, that little pony was left in a field with cows in 2 ft of snow...by people who raised thorobreds! she told me they were just hanging on to her to send her to slaughter in the spring! F**K I didnt talk to those people ever again. RIP Pinecone, you were loved and Im so sorry you were hurting for so long.

[@alpha4935]

@@MsVanorak Actually, it is very much possible that horses have evolved to carry/pull more weight around as humans domesticated them, especially when we started doing artificial selection by selectively breeding them. Humans would breed horses with stronger muscles together to produce stronger offspring capable of carrying/pulling more mass for longer periodes of time while weaker horses would not be given the chance to pass on their weaker genes to the next generation. As a result, populations of domestic horses developed stronger backs and legs over the last ten thousand years or so that man has walked the Earth. It is the very same process as natural selection, but it's humans who determine which horses get to breed by selecting them instead of predators doing so by eating those who aren't fit (in both senses of the word) enough to survive. While it may not be natural selection, artificial selection remains as much of an evolutive process as its natural counterpart. But the problem with horse racing comes when people with only money on their minds force immature horses to run at unreasonable speeds at an age where their bones have not fully developped yet, and so, are much more susceptible to fracturing.

[@tarantala111]

Those poor abused horses - humans can be so disgusting with their inflated egos and rampant greed.

[@firefliesecho186]

seriously! My thoughts exaxtly

[@Xenpen6]

Yes all about money, no love, no care, money and money, 😡

[@sabellabreeze8960]

Sometimes you don't know the full story though A lot of the times those horses are treated like kings after a race Yes I can see where u r coming from on some thing but the reason some of those horses don't make it is because of the footing and the break something of strain something, so they have to be put down It's sad but these horses are athletes and they get hurt to and sometimes they get better but sometimes it gets worse which is sad but it's part of life

[@marinestatus2061]

What point are you trying to make

[@sabellabreeze8960]

@@marinestatus2061 I'm trying to say that horses get hurt and when they break something they have to be put down because horses constantly need to move and there is the occasional case where the horse doesn't need to be put down

[@fenpom39]

They need to take a blood sample from each horse that has a breakdown and drug test it. Fine or ban the trainers and the owners for a positive test. Make the fines huge.

[@Sabuda80]

I'm mostly every contury but America does that but I don't believe there's a fine they just take away your license

[@ken45y]

They are. Pay attention!

[@dlmalley8639]

Should be Banned and a Federal crime. PRISON for CRUELTY. FINED MORE THAN any potential Profits.

[@maddycerise]

No matter the price of the fine, the trainers who are guilty of doping their horses to get in bigger races are 110% likely to drug their horses again. Actual incarceration and license termination must be mandatory for violation.... of you think about it, the racing industry would have been buried 6 ft in the ground long ago just like the American circus because pretty much every hall of fame trainer is guilty of drugging their horses to get to the top. Baffert, Asmussen, all of them,

[@brookedavidson7305]

Agreed! Horse racing could be so good if drugs were banned and the owners/trainers would be punished if they used them.

[@joecamp220]

Most of these injuries are caused simply by the fact that these horses has been trained and raced way too early in their lives, before the growth plates in their legs have fused and matured, made worse by the fact that pounding the ground in metal shoes on one to two year old legs sends damaging vibrations up the leg right through every growth plate which has not yet fused and matured. Good ranchers know this and never start a horse before he's at least four years old and many of them are still working cattle in their late thirties and even forties. There is no vet alive who can knowingly condone this. But money talks.

[@evananouna6840]

a trainer won't race a horse before the growth plates are done developing. it doesn't make any sense for a horsemen to run a horse that's not ready. you can't make any money like that.

[@makaylabowling518]

Joe Camp ii

[@makaylabowling518]

Joe Camp i

[@jnsequine4575]

Evan Anouna what do you mean “you can’t make money like that”? This industry revolves around money. Many trainers make millions by racing these horses who can still be considered “babies”. So yes, trainers do it. And yes, trainers make money from it. There isn’t one horse who is completely developed by the age of two. Not one.

[@cyberspaceout]

I wouldent ride a horse at 2 or 3 thats rediculous

[@isabelalima1866]

What if they make a rule like "if one horse breaks down during the race, than the race stops immediately" No one would abuse the drugs with the risk of losing the race/money.

[@perniesweemmer51]

Bratsuki... Good point!

[@Zikeal-d4l]

They're too dumb to understand such a thing.

[@kayceadair]

They can’t stop moving at that speed until they’ve already made it quite a few more leagues, you try stopping instantly while going almost 40mph

[@rangerlovee3324]

@@kayceadair i think they mean the race is void, no winner no loser, no money

[@kayceadair]

@@rangerlovee3324 There’s no point. If they fall so what? The horses aren’t going to stop and there’s no point in not finishing the race. It’s a risk a jockey is willing to take. The horses enjoy it- nobody likes it when your hurt but you’ve gotta deal with it.

[@davidlaing9635]

some of the colts and fillies are raced before they are fully developed. They are sick sick people

[@Kenney9120]

+Samantha Laing I worked at the track for 22 years as a stable emplyee and the majority of race horses are under five which is the age at which they are grown. In a perfect world racing would be done with a sound breed and only allow grown, sound race fit (actually able to run on its own) horses to participate, but this is far from a perfect world.

[@kimsmith6070]

Samantha Laing ~ this is Hugh issue & one of the main reasons for bone breakage

[@kimsmith6070]

I used to like & go to the tracks but I noticed the cruelty it represented of money over the welfare of the horse. I stopped. I will not pay to watch young horses to young to race & drugged up. Our Racing Association is not doing its job. The track managers are just collecting pay checks & looking the other way....there is a break in the chain of command when it comes to the business of Horse Racing & these beautiful creatures suffer for upper management negligence

[@brgilbert2]

[Kim Smith] You have no idea what you are talking about and use your love of horses without any idea as to the problems and solutions for those problems to cloud your reasoning.

[@dadstealer8055]

@@Kenney9120 every horse should start traing at 3 and RIDEN at 4 so their bones are done developing not at 2.

[@walkshe]

These horses are started into training when they're 18 months old and on the track running by 2 years. Their bones and joints haven't finished growing. They're just babies! By the time they're 3 or older, many of them are so beat up they aren't worth anything. The old cowboys knew better. They didn't even break their horses until they were 5 years of more. I grew up with quarter horses and pleasure riding but HATE horse racing.

[@batwom4304]

Sherry Walker I agree, this whole thing just makes me want to die. 😔💔

[@yodyo9445]

And then sold to meet market so cruel

[@susanbraun9035]

My reply not entered

[@beatemueller7830]

Exactly. Anyone who defends the racing industry should do some research about the skeletal development in horses. The hock joint for example isn’t fully developed until 3 1/2 years old. The amount of training they put them through at 2 and 3 years old does damage. Even if it’s not immediately. I’ve been training jumping horses for over 30 years and I have seen many ex race horses in the sport. They all needed joint injections by the time they were 10-15 years old. On the other hand I know Olympic horses that were started at 4 or 5, that were still sound at 30 years old. Back in the day when horses were used for wars, they didn’t ride them until 6 years old, because that’s actually when their back is fully developed. All these owners care about is quick money, not the horse. It’s basically child labor

[@markles1588]

Some ex racehorses are sent to slaughterhouse

[@almika360]

I believe the age needs to be addressed as well 2 and 3 years old is so young horses will still be in their primes at 5 and 6, Zenyatta is a prime example of that

[@Antoniawolfy]

Zenyatta is still alive though

[@almika360]

Thats what I mean she didnt start racing till she was 6 and she is still happy and healthy after a long race career, racing these horses at 2 and 3 just breaks them down so hard

[@Antoniawolfy]

oh

[@almika360]

yes late 3 and 4 is a lot more mature then early 2 year old year isn't it? I would bet that if they raised the age limit to a horse cannot touch a track until its 3 and big races like kentucky would be at age of 4 i would almost garentee that racing accidents and injuries would probably be cut in half, Ideally it should be at 4 or 5 that they finally start to race but lets just do baby steps.... I wasn't saying that Z wasn't raced till 5 or 6 I was saying that when she was that age she was still kicking ass and had a long healthy career being started late, they're not any slower at 5 then they are at 3, let them mature and run in their primes at 5 and 6 and see less injuries, The only reason this doesn't happen is because it takes too long for owners to get the money they invested back, such a shame

[@mysticmac2905]

almika360 My grandfather raises thoroughbreds, and he says that some of the horses that are "2" were born late in the season, and are in fact still 1 when they start racing. Too young.

[@oregonwanderer]

Racing commision wants to know what they can do to stop so many breakdowns? Its so simple it's unreal. Do NOT allow a horse to run until it is mature and do NOT allow them to run on drugs. Seriously? It does not take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Pass those two simple rules and you WILL see a reduction! I can bloody well guarantee it!

[@abigailfowler1843]

Sussie Due I know this is an old comment, but things still haven't changed. They won't, because there's too much money to lose from applying those changes. They'll just keep acting surprised, but I think they know.

[@kathleenschlegel4267]

Money talks,unfortunately.

[@montanawarren8462]

Running them too early is a problem but putting shoes on them when they're babies is what stops all their growth & the concussion factor with shoes is 2500 % they come out of the womb with no shoes on so when you're purchasing an animal the first thing you need to look at is their feet.... I worked 27 years of sales for Gainesway Farm and out of 27 years I've seen two guys pick up their feet and look at them Plus IN the Standardbred industry you don't see any white feet, white legs, or white eyes...evidently they know how to breed a horse that don't have to put up with the problems that comes with those things!!!

[@joanmeijer]

My kids and I used to be great supporters of horse racing. We never watched another race after Ruffian broke her leg. They will lose the sport if they keep this up.

[@kimsmith6070]

Joan Meijer ~ I agree. This needs to be addressed by the racing federation...Tougher regulations . Normal people see this as inhumane...

[@ahabtheplant]

Joan Meijer That's when I stopped watching, too. She broke my heart.

[@casperdavis3916]

THEY'D BETTER LOOSE THAT SPORT! ITS ABUSE, NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO. BAN WHIPS? THEY'LL FIND A WAY AROUND IT! BAN DRUGS? THEY'LL FIND A WAY AROUND IT! ITS BAD ALTOGETER!

[@hayzyhorses6899]

She was a sad product of bad breeding. I’m pretty sure her father had soft bones and problems, so they bred a horse with bad bones to get babies with bad bones. And so in that race her soft bones couldn’t keep up with her heart, and she ran herself into the ground. We shouldn’t be allowed to race horses with problems like that, problems that could lead to more horses getting hurt.

[@SweetamusRex]

Breaks my heart to see such beautiful creatures being treated so poorly.

[@pope400]

There's just something in my gut that makes me recoil at the idea of an animal as a money making machine.

[@evananouna6840]

most horses actually loose more money than they make

[@marloc2097]

Anyone who loves horses and participates in the these races, rides these horses, watches, bets on, trains etc. Does not in any way love horses. This is not a sport, it is no better than dog fighting! I grew up in the horse world, even passing this on to my daughter. I was manipulated to believe the lies. Once I seen the truth I hid from , I know longer support this in anyway. This has to stop!

[@BeveC21E]

I agree, as much as I love Secretariat, Zenyatta, Rachel A and our dearest Ruffian, I can't help, but agree! I'd not know of them, but for these races! The amt of $$ that flows in from these races, also invites for ill and unethical treatment of these very stately and beautiful beings, of G-d's creation!

[@Bridgette_equestrian]

So riding horses is abuse?

[@Space-Case999]

@@Bridgette_equestrian RACING horses is abuse

[@Bridgette_equestrian]

@@Space-Case999 ya

[@sagebrooks6907]

💪🖤💯💯💯💯💯🤦‍♀️

[@ast5515]

18:18 Yes, he is right. There is no better feeling than riding. But there is a difference between riding for your pleasure and killing the horse for your pleasure. Racing can not be done safely. Riding doesn't mean racing. Riding means what people consider pleasure riding. And that's what I do.

[@rosemarydudley9954]

ast5515... a bit wrong in your assumption there. Not every body that rides horses call it pleasure riding. Hacking around - maybe yes. Other people ride in competitions of all sorts.

[@ScarsFromTomorrow1]

Horse racing makes me want to cry because all I can think about is how these horses are losing their lives so people can make a quick buck. And they don't even get treated like a horse but like an object.

[@itsanneso]

And people to! All those jockeys who ride those horses, they put their lives on the line! If the horse goes down, so does the jockey, we saw it but it's still ok. The owners don't ride, they can't understand. The horse might break down anytime but it's ok, let's make him race and take the chance to kill or paralyze the jockey along to.

[@ScarsFromTomorrow1]

Anne-Sophie Pelletier Well actually it's not even close to the same thing. The jockeys know the risks and still choose to ride and a jockey is far less likely to die from an accident. They do but if a jockey breaks something they aren't likely to die whereas a horse with a broken leg is likely to be put down as well as the horse has no say in whether it races or not.

[@itsanneso]

so? sometimes they don't know the true conditions of the horse they're riding. Of course they know what they're going is dangerous but riding a horse that can break down anytime is a whole other thing.

[@ScarsFromTomorrow1]

Anne-Sophie Pelletier So you think that people not in the racing industry know that any horse can break down at any time but the jockeys don't? I'll bet the jockeys know even more about the drugs these horses are on.

[@itsanneso]

Of course horses can break those but if there's one place where it occurs most it's in that industry. And I'm only saying it's not only bad for the horses but also for the jockeys who a lot of trainers and owners don't care about. They're only there to ride the horse after all.

[@BarrelsPolesandJack]

I think DRUGS should be banned, and I think WHIPS should be banned. If you can't make a horse run without any kind of agent, then obviously you're not much of a horseman/woman.

[@thatonestranger2258]

finally someone understand!

[@casperdavis3916]

**Claps** FINALLY, SOMEONE WHO HAS A BRAIN!

[@horsecrazykelly3940]

Yes! And so with crops! Also bits. If people are that much good of a rider, they should be able to use their legs and unharmful communication!

[@ava-yg6rq]

Agreed. Also some of the gear they use and a safe age limit.

[@PhoenIXPhantasies]

Also take away the spurs, the electric bolts, the nails etc.

[@LeadTheWayFarmsLLC]

Horse racing just needs to be banned. Really, anything that makes horses under 4 compete in anything beyond their physical capabilities is cruelty in my eyes.

[@LeadTheWayFarmsLLC]

Also, those eyebrows! O.o

[@LeadTheWayFarmsLLC]

I never brought up wild horses. Wild horses should just be left as is, wild.

[@winifredthompson2488]

EveryonesQT The point about wild horses and ponies everywhere, is that they breed and the breed and them the numbers become two many for the grasslands to sustain them especially in winter, and then starvation sets in and those horses that you love die a slow painful death and fall prey to other wild animals wolves etc. That is the reason man tries to control the situation, I don't always agree with it but it is an evil that has to be done and stop in breeding. thank you and greetings from Northern Ireland.

[@horsecrazykelly3940]

Yes!

[@ava-yg6rq]

El Draque how do you know thoroughbreds love racing? Why would they act as they do if they love it?

[@TheBeejammer]

i'm sorry i feel so bad for the horses and the dis respected jockeys... BUT THOSE EYEBROWS! WTF

[@XxChloeBeesxX]

Exactly my thoughts 😂

[@weronika5061]

Stop we're talking about horses not eyebrows STOP

[@j.elizabeth4621]

Right.

[@DanielSong39]

The jockeys cheat too.

[@melodyhart6734]

Bibi Sofia Hahahaha my thoughts!!!!

[@asteriajessy9083]

I will never forget what happen to Barbaro and ruffian.. :(

[@mollymolly3285]

how people cant see how evil and hard this is on a horse, just image someone forcing a drugged up toddler to run hard all day long. Race horse are never over the age of 4 for a couple reasons the horse has lots of energy and by the age of three they start becoming to messed up to run. i used to bored a horse at a barn owned by a race horse breeder and all her retired greenies had stumped necks they grew up and still had a body of a three year old. i look back and realized how bad she was to her horses even when i was a 10 years old i could see the abuse very sad to grow up seeing that around you being a horse lover.

[@TuberoseKisser]

aside from that, horse bones never truly become strong until after 2 years which can lead to bone problems.

[@watchgoose]

+molly molly not true, if you read the condition book you will find races tailor made for the horses past age four. I know some personally.

[@barbaradyson6951]

+molly molly want a list of horses running over the flat over 4. Here we go Persian Punch, Sargent Cecil, Black Caviar, Yeats, Double Trigger, Solow, going back in time there was a sprinter called Le Garcon D'or who retired at the age of 15. The list is endless, unfortunately my brain isn't working quick enough, High Hat, Solo Power, do your research then comment.

[@1312Madrid]

At the racing barn i work at we have about ten horses aged five and over, mate

[@TuberoseKisser]

1312Sierra that's at your barn, others have young horses, yeah generalizing racing is common but that's because The wrongs far outweigh the rights, Imo most racing barns, tracks, etc are not treating the horses properly, I know that very few actually take into consideration the age and mental state into consideration

[@smillsy71]

7 years later, this story is no different. This story is never old. People who bet on horses are gamblers, not horsemen. It's time for this to end.

[@danettaromero9793]

7 horses broke down this week in Kentucky. It's rampant there

[@pjny21]

@@danettaromero9793 Yep. Time to revisit this yet again.

[@YouDontKnow-that]

Do it then. Make it end. Let's see ya. Go. LOL. That's the problem for you. All you have is words and your words can't change anything. 🤣

[@pjny21]

@@YouDontKnow-that Get therapy.

[@kevinslaven9036]

@@YouDontKnow-that It's amazing how little people know about the industry and the overall impact it has on the state and local economies. In addition, some 140+ countries across the globe now have legalized pari-mutuel wagering, with the exception of the Arab nations, where the fill the tracks without wagering. Thousands of racetracks worldwide. And lets not forget standardbreds, Arabians, and Quarter horses. It will NEVER be banned. And just for the sake of argument, if they did ban horse racing, what do you think would happen to all those majestic creatures? Off to the Alpo plant.

[@TheAngelgirl7]

@13:37 “Why Mark’s horse broke down is still unclear” it was a 2 year old, it’s body wasn’t even half way developed... That seems pretty “clear” to me.

[@laurasteyn1939]

I thought the same! 2 yrs old is so young!!!

[@TheAngelgirl7]

Laura Steyn yeah, its dumb to ride a horse that young but its even more dumb to put it through such intense physical activity.

[@Cc-ji5qg]

I don’t even start light riding my horses until they are 4 or 5. To hear that these horses are raced at 2 is disgusting.

[@hayleyewing7182]

I owned an ex race horse. And these stories of abuse are completely true. The mare, 8 years old when I purchased her, had terrible feet nearly nothing there, there were spur scars from abuse and other scars on her back end. They literally ran this mare into the dirt. She was a sweet mare but never got over being head shy and not trusting.

[@watchgoose]

+Hayley Ewing Jockeys' feet don't come down far enough to spur a horse. They are way up on the saddle.

[@hayleyewing7182]

+watchgoose trainers do. use your brain. jockeys can't have spurs during races it's illegal in a race.

[@puntoofmystery6125]

‘Ex’ racehorse is the operative word here. A horse in the condition you describe would not be allowed on any racecourse and if someone had the audacity to do so, the stewards would do their job and stop it running. No racehorse exercise rider uses spurs. Whatever happened to your mare happened after retirement , not while racing.

[@blazinghot18]

She never got over anything because she didn't trust you.

[@adonnarowe1811]

😢

[@TheLyricSoprano]

That clip of 8+ horses falling down and crashing over one another at full sprint might be one of the most horrible things I've ever seen on the internet.

[@suemaher5282]

Horses they ploughed our fields, They transported our food.ENABLED us to travel and took us to war. what a way to say thanks my friend .Sue Maher

[@robertharris6536]

Horse racing needs some serious reform.

[@lylenip]

get bent

[@izzymilne4155]

That comment is a death sentence. I do think that the horses should be bred with thicker legs and raced as a 3 year old and up. I like to go down to the track, and I have only seen one accident, but the jockey had not been ready for the start, and fell off. If horse racing was banned, it would still be done, without rules as it would be done illegally anyways, and horses would be in worse conditions. They would be more drugged and hurt and raced more often. Show jumper horses also get drugged. Western, dressage, eventers, ect all get drugged. There are good people and crappy people. And as for all you saying horse racing is bad, don't forget that these horses are bred for running, so they will obliviously run. They just need better vets, better dirt on the track, and for people to stop messing with our sport. I want to be a jockey when I grow up, so butt out and go back to watching my little pony with your other little friends.

[@robertharris6536]

Never watched gay shows like that douche bag.

[@robertharris6536]

I just don't appreciate animal abuse.

[@izzymilne4155]

Well then, you really should watch my little pony. It's all about rainbows and sunshine, positively, cheesy clips as well as story lines, and no pony abuse. Just like the cheesy story line for this clip. You PETA people would all LOVE my little pony. It's crappy just like this KZbin video. Also, just another suggestion, you should really watch real races. Watch the 1978 belmont stakes. Affirmed was losing to alydar (I think. I have not seen it in a while) then came back to win the race. That very rarely happens. In the Great Depression, was a PETA member America's hero? No! It was a little run down racehorse who had the strength and game was to go out to win. Was he drugged? Nope! And the 1973 belmont stakes, why would secretariat go out to win by 31 lengths ( just for you little PETA people who don't know what that is, I'll just say that means he won by 6 1/2-7 seconds.) here is my new quote: The credible hulk: You won't like me when I'm angry because I back up my rage with facts and documents.

[@toniannzimmerman1182]

First the greyhounds now the horses. All these places need to be closed ASAP. People need to start protesting in front of all these places.

[@dreamerlover88]

i honestly hate horse racing!!!!!!! i love the horses but the sport in horrible

[@richardhayward-keen132]

Its the people and their drugs NOT the racing aspect. And this is America the modern day sodom and gomorrah. Its a pity America hasn't done an Atlantis and slid into the ocean. Blame the Jockey Club for not enforcing the drug rules nationally.

[@katherinepearcy3622]

When we had racehorses we always took great care of them, we retired from racing because our horses got to return to being horses not money driven fools. But to see such beautiful animals being raced to death is just disappointing and disgusting and heartbreaking. I hate seeing breakdowns makes my heart very sad

[@EvansBrosRacing]

It really is sad that GREED has done so much horrible stuff to such a majestic animal !

[@lunafae6473]

What people do not understand is that Thoroughbreds are a lot lighter built now then they were 50 years ago. Their bones are a lot more fragile due to people breeding them to be faster and lighter. If you notice the winners tend to be heavier, the speed horses are fast at first but slower. The other problem is yes, the owners, but that's not always the case. In fact, if the owner really looks at the horse as a money earner, why would the owners put their horses at risk, as thats money they can't spend? Horse racing, in general, have changed. It used to be so much better.

[@christhompson9486]

Same thing with the Quarter Horses too. Spindley legs, weak bones.

[@angelxmisty1706]

yea horse racing is fun to watch unless a horse gets injured or has to get put down then the owners not happy were not happy it is done i am done NO MORE RACING!

[@detroitwhat4017]

13:44. "23 horses die on U.S. racetracks every week." Mind boggling. Not to mention that according to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, 7,500 thoroughbreds are slaughtered for human consumption every year.

[@equarg]

They are racing these horses to young, they are inbreeding these animals (no fresh blood) causing weaker hoofs and legs bones to become more prominant, and they are not conditioning these animals correctly for the grueling life ahead of them! They need some mustang blood (stronger legs and hooves) and to stop racing at 2 years old!

[@cooolchick647]

Instead of stopp ing at two they shouldn't race until they are three or older. At least let them grow and form first

[@arianaeden2041]

Cooolchick647 that's what they meant

[@ulyssedebove150]

@@cooolchick647 A horse actually finishes its growing at 5, talking 'bout the legs and back (can be later, but it's less dangerous since they're 5 or older).. If they're raced at 2, that's because of money purposes, not the usual "this is a breed that finishes to grow earlier don't worry".. aaaaand, For the trainers and owners ...on the one hand, horses do not deserve to wait their 4 or 5 to see if they're worth or not, on the other hand, that's just people who don't know because they were told all their lives long that this is how this breed work... And that's pretty sad

[@brgilbert2]

[equarg] Out of the current 743 comments here as of 15 Feb. 2019 you do touch on the real problem. I might add that, not as you suggest as to racing to young or conditioning it is the breeding industry. Not knowing your age I can tell you that there has been discussions of this for 20 to 40 years.

[@bjbrown]

Thank you for your very responsible reporting. If the owners and trainers cared this wouldn’t be a problem. The poor horses suffer for the money.

[@Em-dh2eh]

Did that lady paint on her eyebrows?

[@lyssakate]

It freaked me out

[@MandoBanuelos]

Yes whit a sharpie. Lol

[@misuchimiss1161]

She could at least make them look more natural....geez,

[@batwom4304]

Tattoos, maybe?? Or she just went at it with a power painter?? 🤣🤦‍♀️

[@nemomarlen8261]

I've been looking for someone to say this

[@SouthTexasGal830]

This is really sad to see. There are several reason there horses breakdown. For starters they are babies. TB finish growing at age 4-5. Its the equivalent of pushing a teenager to do a fully developed man's work. Then you add drugs, greed and carelessness to the mix and you have a perfect recipe for disaster. Now I am not saying this applies to all TB racing but like everything else, its that minority that gives it a bad name but again they ARE too young to be training like that a such a young age,

[@Ari-o9x]

I ride a beautiful bay OTTB who has been off the track for four years. Luckily, he narrowly escaped serious injuries several times. There needs to be more precautions taken to make sure racing is safer and healthier for horses!

[@SarahJRick]

I totally agree!!

[@lizarr7176]

This is a great video, and it brings good awareness to ONE of the many issues in this industry. Drug use is a HUGE problem, and I am glad that at least some effort is being made to regulate it, and I'm glad this video is here to bring light to it. But it is very important for us to remember that even IF we were able to eradicate completely the use of drugs on race horses, it would not fix the racing industry, not by a long shot. Drug use is the tip of the iceberg. There are unfortunately so many other forms of abuse going on here, each that deserves its own video. I do like the fact that this video touches on other horse sports as well, however briefly. I don't know of a single one that does not have it's own problems, and a lot of them, as shown here, have similar, or even the same problems specifically. I do not believe that all horse sports are inherently bad. But I do believe that most of them are currently conducted inhumanely by those participating in the competitions, and even in some cases by the very regulations of the individual sports themselves. But nothing will change without enough fuss around the issues. And no one will be loud enough until enough people know what is really going on. Knowledge is key. I think we should all try to share this video in any way we can to promote awareness of even this one particular issue.

[@StonedMickey]

This was 10 years ago, and racing has gotten SO, SO MUCH WORSE. By October 2023, just think about all those dead horses.

[@willrueb9573]

I've recently asked myself this question, and, now, I pose it to anyone watching this. Is horse racing as inhumane to the animal as bullfighting and the running with the bulls type event? My personal conclusion is, yes. Most definitely.

[@winifredthompson2488]

Will Rueb No horse racing is not a cruel sport, there are many safeguards laid into horse racing legally, maybe y years ago some race finishes were cruel when big money was at stake, but not now, a jockey can not mark a horse with his whip, when you see jockeys as you would think beating a horse at the finish, they are merely flicking him with the whip, these are speaking whips mostly used for guiding the horse and are padded. A jockey that left a mark on the horse is pulled in front of the Stewarts and fined heavily and suspended, as this is his lively hood he can't afford this to,happen. When the horse is in training that horse is looked after better than a high class athletic. He is fed the very best food money can buy, he has the best bedding to lie on , stables are cleaned twice a day, He is given saunas he can be taken even to horse swimming pools to help him relax. A good stable will do,everything possible for that horses comfort. When he is galloping all horses love to gallop to feel free, he will be put every morning for exercise with his companions, and have a gallop maybe 2 days a week, to get him really fit. This is the normal life of a good racehorse in a good yard, the majority of stable lads really do,love their charges,they clean then a d talk about them, especially the girls, they adore their charges. This is why it is so expensive to keep a horse in training. The problems begin when the horse is deemed no longer fit to race, a d leaves these good yards, that is why I suggested earlier that a levy could be placed by the horse boards on the price of the yearlings at the sales and a levy placed on prize money won by a particular animal to,rehalibate him when he leaves the racing yards. We now have a very good scheme here in Ireland where many of these horses are retrained a d used as saddle horses for different sports and Dublin Horse Show has put on show classes for these ex race horses and at present is running very successful. The whole problem with the horse industry, is too many horses being bred, when times are good and money is plentiful many people buying horses then hard times come, and the money is no longer there, a horse is expensive to keep even if you have him in the garage at the back of the house you are still looking at 70 pounds a week sterling to look after him. When you have to decide daddy has lost his job, do you keep a roof over your head or feed the horse. NO body can afford to buy horses and keep them, this is when you get horses discarded and put out on some mountain or dumped in some field somewhere, the authorities having to pick up the tab of looking after him, and then that beloved horse or pony ends in the slaughter yard. Please please people out there, when your little girl or boy start harping on, I want a pony, I want a pony, think hard and long before you give in to buy one, that 1st 60 or 70 pounds a week might not look much, over a year it can reach 3000 or more pounds and then there are vets bills horse dentist bills blacksmiths bills, CAN YOU REALLY AFFORD IT. You don't put a pony or horse on the grass and think everything is going to be all right, I will tell you from over 60 years experience it won't. Can you afford it. and if the answer is No don't give in, send them to the local riding school it will be a lot cheaper. and please don't breed that little mare unless you have some way for that foal. I hope I have touched on many subjects here, and if any one wants help with an problem, put the message on and I will get back to you, and hope we can solve the problem. Sorry for this being so long May God bless you and greetings from Northern Ireland.

[@willrueb9573]

Winifred Thompson I really appreciate your very thoughtful, intelligent, and informative response. I suppose it may have changed my opinion on the sport somewhat, but I still do not condone the breeding of animals simply for the pleasure of humans to sport. Even so, I'm not an idealist, and I do realize that if this animal is no longer bred for racing it might as well as be an endangered species. We humans are like that.

[@winifredthompson2488]

Will Rueb Will you are correct when you say, the thoroughbred horse would become an endangered species, just like the Clydesdale the Puncheon and other big heavy draft horses, they are now an endangered species. There are a few old hands out there still breeding the odd heavy draft horse for show purposes, and sentimentality. I do hope these old breeds of horses are not allowed to die out. The pure thoroughbred as we know it today would go the same way. and that would be a shame. The thoroughbred horse is bred to race, it is a racing machine if you look at its bone structure, it is beautiful to watch a thoroughbred horse in full flight, his mane and tail floating in the wind, his nostrils wide, his eyes shinning with delight. The magnificance of the thoroughbred horse standing some 16.2hh coat gleaming fire in his eyes his proud step and magnificent movement, it makes the soul feel good to stand and admire him. I hope there will always be a place for the racehorse but not raced as 2 year olds. Thank you for reading this, and greetings from Northern Ireland.

[@kimsmith6070]

Winifred Thompson ~ In any sport were stakes are high unfortunately there exist biologically bred people that have no empathy for the animal only the money. This needs addressing by the CEO's / management of the track & a strong organization to inforce tighter rules for the welfare of the horse. Otherwise I see it as barbaric.Upper track management all over America has failed these beautiful creatures.

[@fineartonfire_5327]

Will Rueb kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5rKlGOAdrepm6M

[@biff5664]

It's sad, even in the UK there are thousands and thousands of horses practically given away for beans because they can't win, lame, too old and most just get sent to slaughter.

[@mkaylaendres6582]

in the US they have banded slaughter houses for horses but why not band drugs for horses and test them before EVERY race?

[@robotmuzic3210]

theyve banned horse slaughter in the country but they ship the horses to canada to get slaughtered

[@KarolinaBernolak]

I live in Canada I'm so mad that our government let's these beautiful creatures get slaughtered it should be ban around the world same as racing being a rider if I sensed the horse wasn't sound I told my instructor from my riding lessons straight way she saved a ottb to

[@savannahf8676]

They do test them before they run. They also test them after they race

[@janedoex8345]

because they would even try whatever substance to get their favoured horses a better chance ?

[@kazzana9013]

You live in Canada, then you must know about all the mares they keep pregnant so they can milk them for HRT for menopausal woman. Besides the mares living a life of torture, their foals get sent to slaughter. Canada does not have a proud record of respect for animals.

[@lizzc2125]

Horse racing is so abusive

[@itsanneso]

I'm just sad this video doesn't have more views. People love to watch horse racing but they really don't know what goes on behind the the camera.

[@AstoriaHeard]

Fantastic report, NYT. Thank you for shedding light onto this very overlooked issue. I hope people will increase their awareness, and the racing officials and authorities will begin to institute some major changes sooner rather than later. We should all be ashamed that this sort of thing happens every day without real consequences. As an animal advocate and equestrian, this was not a surprising report, although it was incredibly well presented and will hopefully help to educate others about the current state of our TB industry.

[@ScarsFromTomorrow1]

The only way horse racing will ever be humane is after it's shut down. There's way too many problems to be fixed. Not to mention the whole thing is about money meaning even if the problems were fixed more would keep popping up.

[@AntlersAndAcorns]

ScarsFromTomorrow so true.

[@cheyanneritchey861]

So true it will be much better when the only horse races held are that between 2 friends with no money involved through a nice pasture

[@kimtrainito9513]

The race track should be called the death track. Horseracing should be banned just like dog racing was.

[@popcornpenguin8561]

Couldn’t agree more

[@johnspinelli9396]

I disagree, it's a tradition

[@aidamcewen6884]

@@johnspinelli9396 I sort of agree. It is a tradition but it's been taken to an extreme. It needs considerable reform to be able to continue in an ethical manner.

[@johnspinelli9396]

@@aidamcewen6884 Yeah i agree. We do need to make sure abuses and ethical standards are being applied but to ban out right is something I dont agree with. Plus horses are animals that naturally like to run

[@barbaradyson6951]

They should have much more stronger drug control. Thatt's why you never see many american race horses racing in the uk.

[@likeastarbaby]

+Barbara Dyson the drug control is tighter in the uk, but that definitely doesn't mean that drugged animals don't slip through the net all the time. and that doesn't account for the many other issues with horse racing here, like starting their training too young, treating them like commodities and running them into the ground, putting jumps in races that are deliberately designed to trip them up and cause fatalities, etc.

[@imonthewinningside8281]

@@likeastarbaby Wait, what?! Why would they want to trip them up??

[@likeastarbaby]

@@imonthewinningside8281 The jumps are specifically there to be skillfully manoeuvred and are where almost all of the fatalities take place. I'm not saying they are deliberately trying to trip them but they are trying to make the course more difficult and this inevitably costs horses their lives

[@Valleylifeeightysix]

You let horses race high but humans get fired/ arrested. This world is nuts 🥜

[@alejandraclevesmorales1741]

Although racing might be the most brutal, most equestrian sports allow for some type of abuse. I love riding, and I used to compete in show jumping until I was 20, made it to 1.20 mts and then stopped when I went to college. I saw some really horrible things done to horses, and I'm talking about all levels of the sport. From low end trainers putting nails on the jump so that cheaper horses would jump better to a friend of mine keeping her mare alive for a week for insurance money after a horrible accident. The mare was worth 200,000 Euro and that had gotten a really bad fracture so they had to keep her alive until the insurance people came to check with their own vet to make sure it was insurance fraud before they could put her down. Not saying that she should've just loose the money, but instead that when a horse is worth that much, they become a financial asset, not a living being. Once you pass amateur riders and get into for-profit equestrian sports the abuse gets worse and worse in my opinion, there's so much money and people's livelihood on the line. That's why I got away from the sport (in addition to how elitist it can be, which is a whole different discussion).

[@clfulton99]

Whenever money, glory, ribbons, etc. is the goal for the owners and trainers, the animals pay the price. Always.

[@helenrandell5163]

horse abuse is one of the worst abuse cases in the world , money greed and torture FTW ''

[@kevinpotts123]

these horses are bred for one thing, and only one thing. Racing. If it weren't for racing, these animals would never have been bred.

[@ElloFantasy]

+Kevin Potts Horses were bred for transportation before it became a sport. They've been transportation for wars, the pony express, carriages. Unless you're not talking about horses in general.

[@kevinpotts123]

Lacey G I'm talking about the thouroghbred race horse. They were bred for only one thing, to run circles on racetracks.

[@ElloFantasy]

Ah okay, I wasn't sure if you were talking about horses in general or not.

[@kevinpotts123]

***** if they weren't obligated to it, they would have never been born.

[@bellabella9181]

This is still ongoing. It’s 2023 and SEVEN horses died leading up to the Kentucky Derby….WTF is going on.

[@WhipFlash0122Bri]

How can people mistreat race horses like that. I love horses so much to point that this kills me to watch this, but I will continue to watch and if I could ride, breed and sell race horses I would.

[@winifredthompson2488]

Brianne Geoghegan You have just said the same thing that thousands of other people are saying, and this is where the problem lies, the over breeding of horses, I have done it , you have a beautiful mare and you give in to the temptation that you will breed a foal, then it is two foals, a mare can become pregnant 9 days after she has had her 1st foal and every subsequent year after that, that beautiful little foal is born and you are chuffed, let me try again, I will try a different stallion the next time, and the mare goes I foal a second time, now you have the mare, the foal, wich in a years time will be a lovely yearling DV and another beautiful young foal born. If your 1st foal is a colt and you let it run with the mare, He can reproduce in about 14 to 16 months old maybe younger, now unless you are filthy rich or you own a large estate of land, your problems have just begun. You will have to find a buyer, will that person love your beautiful yearling as you do, maybe, who knows where it will go,in two or three years time, once you sell you have no,more control over that animal, unless you go and buy it back. I love horses all my life I believe it is something you are born with,my mother is said to have lost me when I was 2 years of age, in the middle of Belfast and she found me sitting between the two back feet of a cart horse on the streets of Belfast , I never was afraid of horses, my father was in the royal Horse Artillery regiment before he got married to my mother. We did not have any horses at that time, I was 7 when I had my first pony, I lived dreamed horses, and rode for many horse dealers in the early days, where I gained a wealth of experience . So please please don't breed horses unless you have a way for them. I hope I, have given you a little insight into how life's passions can sometimes fall asunder, and unless you have been involved and know the dark side how things happen, how can we be judge and jury, I have read most of the remarks and some are very good. But people make money out of every sphere in life, we all need money, cows pigs sheep chickens, at the end of the day these animals are used for food. I know in Italy they actually breed heavy horses especially for meet and they eat them, and in France also. In Arabic countries they eat camels sheep and horses etc. If a horse has to be put down I would like to see it done as painless as possible, preferably at its home stable without stress. This is a fact of life, and before I am accused of all things, this is going on in your hospitals every day, with the elderly, have you not heard of the Liverpool Path Way, where they take all water from a patient and increase drugs to take them out, your grandma or grandpa even. We have child abuse we have abortion, where the infant is murdered with the laws consent up to 28 weeks of age, this is a live viable baby, and Hillary Clinton wanted it to go up to 34 weeks gestation a baby ready to be born, one evil woman. This is murder, a infant can survive out of the womb at 23 to 24 weeks gestation. We have a lot to,complain about, and if we keep complaining we just might get something done. We don't have abortion in Northern Ireland except for a severely disabled or the mothers life is at stake. and I agree with that, and I believe the cut off period is 16 weeks gestation. Keep,putting on comments between us all we will get something done. God bless you and greetings from Northern Ireland.

[@chrishale1345]

Races, drugs, pushing babies, youthinizing horses, breaking their legs, SOMEONE TELL ME HOW THIS IS OKAY.

[@MaryJ420z]

her eyebrows though. 😨😨😨

[@Ihearturmomfrl]

Why does it matter-

[@gippalgurl]

And you have a huge head. You have no room to judge mega brain.

[@dantewhirlpool2227]

Those eyebrows were a choice. A bad, bad choice.

[@gloriasueb]

Wow. Riley Bird, that's what you take away from this? Eyebrows??? Paralyzed jockeys and dead horses and you focus on eyebrows? Wow.

[@kendra1405]

Riley is a stupid millenial name

[@TararyzeMcg]

Yes UNFORTUNATELY she TAKES AWAY FROM THE STORY!!! She must know this…I’m SURE people have been telling her for DECADES!!

[@gloriasueb]

As I told her 6 years ago!

[@diaryofagoat-lass1023]

“Dog is man’s best friend but the Horse is man’s best Slave...” “The history of Mankind is Strewn with the bones of Horses...” For an animal that’s done so much for humanity, you’d think horses would be held in higher esteem... of wait, the internal combustion engine...

[@ivywaterstrong7147]

I'm glad someone is actually addressing the abuse and the killings on the track.

[@jacquic.2582]

there chasing the dollar and don't care about horses

[@WellConditioned]

The problem with this business is the greed for money without any regard for the animal. I've been training Standardbreds for many years and specialize in older horses with tendon, ankle, suspensory, etc. problems. Bute and banamine are wonderful anti-inflammatory medications for use after racing, when it is needed. Let's end it there, and the catastrophic breakdowns would end almost universally. The industry is inundated with veterinarians who will inject at the trainer's wish anything on order - snake venom being the worst. I won't go further as those who understand the game know this. Here's a solution: any trainer who's been found guilty of a positive test for banned medication is banned from the industry for LIFE.

[@torbenm2375]

I think it's the drugs masking injuries, inflammations and so on. In Europe, where no drugs are allowed, you can say that 1 horse in 1000 starts breaks down. But they are not raced when their body says "no".

[@sarah_showjumping_aus3410]

The horses bones aren't even fully developed, they are developed at the age of 6

[@calliejet4499]

The real tragedy here is that woman's eyebrows

[@magen7643]

Omg XDD

[@kismutt1]

The entire racehorse industry is absolute cruel. I worked in a race barn and then the breeding sheds. I had to quit because I could not stand what I was seeing. I cried every night. It breaks my heart that the average person does not know the cruelty going on.

[@ADARA47]

Kimberly Thomas shut up Kimberly lmal

[@brgilbert2]

[Kimberly Thomas] YOUR A LIAR!!!!

[@mirthepeeters65]

if there s money involved , there s abuse ..

[@davidzly]

This is such heartbreaking to watch these kinds of videos. I understanding there are people within the industry that loves and treats these horses with the upmost respect, but there are also many people who are just in it for the money.

[@renechoi4396]

I love horse racing. When it's clean and both horses and jockeys are well cared for. But NOT THIS. This is *criminal*. Horse racing in the U.S. needs to stop race medications, and horses that received meds within a certain time frame before a race shouldn't be allowed to run. Horses racing in Europe aren't drugged up like this. It's sickening. Trainers and owners with significant drug violations should be barred from the sport. Period.

[@armysunicorn9630]

It's not just in the U.S., this is everywhere in the world. Wherever there is an animal used as entertainment people will find a way to make it less seen that they abuse it.

[@ivie6381]

some local or ameteur races don't use drugs. It's actually suprisingly fun. Not as fast but I enjoy seeing the bonds.

[@winifredthompson2488]

'rene Choi It's people like you that will change things in America keep harassing the racing boards till they take notice and stop this drug induced trade with American racehorses, keep putting information on to UTUBE and go to the race tracks that are violating the drug abuse and protest. Do it peacefully , a d the authorities will have to take notice. ,A horse can break a leg at home in the padock you know, it doesn't always be a race track I had a horse broke her leg in the field. accidents can happen anywhere. People get injured in all sports, I have heard of young footballers dropping dead after a match, so always use a bit of common sense. Horse racing is no different, but horses should not be run if they are sick or injured and is covered up with medical products. This is totally wrong, and any stable or yard that indulge in this behaviour should have their licence to train recinded, a d put out of business. A good trainer with a love for his charges would not stoop this low, but a lot of times it is the owners who pay the bills that are the cause of this sort of behaviour. They don't deserve to own a horse. Keep trying we will make a change for the better ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN A DAY. Thank you for reading this and Greetings from Northern Ireland.

[@renechoi4396]

Thank you. Ohhh, I'm so sorry to hear about your horse. :( !!! I've spent time in the harness racing industry; I interned with one of the training stables and also the racetrack vet for a year and also worked for a state's harness racing association for a couple of years. There are definitely bad apples like in any other sport, but overall the good trainers and vets are honest and they take care of their horses as well if not better than many regular owners. It just occurred to me that the trainers usually drive the horses, so there's probably something of a disincentive to give a horse a dangerous cocktail if your own skin is at stake. This is why I get so angry at the bad apples--they make good people look horrible by association. I am all in favor of very stiff penalties for people who break the rules since the ultimate casualties are the horses, with jockeys often being collateral damage. It is the absolutely shameful and untenable aspect of this sport, and they need to do better at enforcing their own rules.

[@evananouna6840]

all the precautions that you just stated are already in place. the problem is that certain trainers know which medications are commonly tested for, so they use more discreet medications that we don't know to test for.

[@knk4ever83]

God bless these magnificent animals. .

[@kristinetrott5087]

One thing about Thoroughbreds is: they really do like to run! They have great heart and try and courage. I speak from experience, as I used to do exercise riding at Longacres racetrack, (now defunct) Some of the problem is the young age of the horses raced, true, but it is also that races have become shorter and faster, plus many were run on hard tracks, though that has changed a lot. Long ago, Thoroughbred racing used to be done in heats of three or four races, run over two to four mile distances, so they had to have more mature animals that had developed their endurance. Nowadays, the races are more sprints, with mile or mile and a half being considered "classic distance" and there are not that many run at those distances so the pace is often breakneck fast. The drugging is egregious and I believe any trainer and owner found to be drugging should have their racing licenses pulled and stiff penalties given, whether their horse won or not. All horses need to have their legs and hooves tested by a vet/farrier in the saddling paddock before each race. Any horse tested prior to the race and found to be sore needs to be pulled from the races and not allowed back til cleared by an independent or track vet evaluation--no exceptions. And the pulled rule from one track should be honored at all other tracks before that horse can race again. Those are just some of my ideas because I still love the thrill of the speed and feel of the power under you and in your hands, though I haven't galloped a horse in decades now. And I know the horses loved to run, too. Sometimes it was really hard to hold them in and not let them go all out as they wanted to. It isn't all cruelty, but it absolutely needs to be cleaned up.

[@samfarkas7304]

Horses in the racing industry aren’t really treated that well.

[@stephennewman2466]

Racing can be done in a responsible way...you are not racing a car, nor a bike-but a living, breathing, feeling, organism...and must be designed accordingly. a horse's skeletal structure is not fully developed until five or six--shouldn't be broken to ride 'til then. period. In fact, as recognized in olympic equine sports-showjumping, dressage; etc...horses' athletic prime is actually between 10-15 years of age. They are racing CHILDREN. Of course their bodies cannot handle the relentless impact. I for one, watch racing for love of the horse, NOT money and do not want to see any equine sport fall by the wayside...but it should not be like this...let's all watch in awe at the glory, grace and majesty of the horse at full gallop...not watch them die and fall like flies. they are better than that. We SHOULD be.

[@nikkoguiboche873]

Agree completely

[@evananouna6840]

thoroughbreds are bred to mature sooner

[@gunnarroth6599]

Stephen Newman, pretty well done! But, this Evan Anouna? Is he a troll of the meat mill industry, or what?

[@stormiesimmons9677]

Amen, Stephen.

[@stormiesimmons9677]

@@gunnarroth6599 I think he is.

[@hayzyhorses6899]

I used to be upset that our breed, Saddlebreds, never had huge purses. But I have to say that after seeing this, I’m happy. There’s a saying we have, “ If you’re in Saddlebreds for the money, you’re in the wrong place”. Although we can’t make money through them, it helps us remember that the horse matters. So we don’t over show our horses, and their owners love them. They are in the breed for the fun, so the horses are super well cared for. Now I no longer wish we had bigger purses.

[@rileybird9048]

what are with that woman's Nutella eyebrows omg

[@lyssakate]

This made me laugh so hard

[@rileybird9048]

Lyssa Tomlin :)

[@mackdaddy6652]

looks like 2 dead caterpillars on her face. They are completely ridiculous

[@Lpsgogo]

Haha that was so creepy xD

[@rileybird9048]

EquineLPS never use "xD" again

[@xoxoxoxoxo7997]

No drugs should be used at all

[@Pwhisperer]

Beyond everything else I saw in this documentary, I'm shocked by Jacky Martin's wife's painted-on eyebrows. What a clown.

[@tomryan403]

You sir are an insensitive ass .

[@Pwhisperer]

If you do something outrageous to your looks that goes beyond all social norms, it shouldn't be a huge shock when someone points at you and laughs. It's not like she has a physical deformity that someone is making fun of...it's makeup. Jeez.

[@Tazinova]

Jeffro Doe Youre comment is inappropriate and completely off topic.

[@Pwhisperer]

Agreed, on both points. But she still looks like a clown.

[@marysueeasteregg]

Jeffro Doe Could she have been on/recovering from chemotherapy, which often makes you lose all hair? Her hair(cut) is very short.

[@russellloveland1214]

Running injured horses shot up on pain meds should be a crime. Trainers and owners should face jail time. They are ruining the horses future.

[@annikaheydl7342]

Horse racing should be eliminated, just like dog racing was

[@fineartonfire_5327]

Dog racing isn’t banned totally in US!

[@Maxwell-is-Smart]

@Kristian Jaku Seriously? Horseracing KILLS horses! kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3vHiHd7pMuoerM

[@Maxwell-is-Smart]

@James Brown Dog Racing has been banned in most states. When the Florida ban takes effect 1/1/21, only five states will still allow greyhounds to race.

[@Maxwell-is-Smart]

@Kristian Jaku Dog Racing has been banned in most states. When the Florida ban takes effect 1/1/21, only five states will still allow greyhounds to race.

[@Maxwell-is-Smart]

@Annika Heydl I agree completely! Horseracing kills horses, and is absolutely animal cruelty. Dog Racing is not 100% illegal yet, but has been banned in most states. When the Florida ban takes effect on 1/1/21, only five states will still allow Greyhounds to race.

[@laurajbrooks4530]

Stop starting 2 YO. horses, ban drugs outside of Lasix. Make the fines as stiff as is possible, suspensions lengthy. Maybe then racing will improve.

[@EliseRox235]

It hit me hard when then mentioned using calming drugs in the hunter ring I'm an eventer with a young OTTB i use some calming stuff, small amount just to ease his nerves Really woke me up when i heard them speak about it

[@PixieLove5]

STOP THIS CRUELTY. For gods sakes it’s our own vanity and entertainment!

[@kendrav.2088]

I have Maybe My Way from California "High End Bred" superb bloodlines. A few years later he was dumped at an Indiana auction, 300 plus pounds underweight, skin and bones with a broken hip just dumped ... the guy pulled up unloaded him and took off! Malcolm was a 4 year old Now he's nine and living on a farm, fat, walking well with his buddies, 2 older paint horses..

[@jusaverage6347]

My question would be that they've placed bans on drugs to help capture unsound horses on the track, but seriously.... a horse running 5 races a month??? wtf??? That's too much strain on the horses!!! They need to rest after big races like that!! Maybe there should be limitations on how many times a horse is run. Are the databases between tracks synced to watch that??

[@Duckkis]

When I was younger I used to read and greatly love the Thoroughbred books by Joanna Campbell. They made horse racing sound and feel so exciting and great. But in the most recent times I've looked so much into the other, darker side of this so called sport. All the breakdowns and deaths.. There's nothing great and exciting about it. The reality of it all is just sickening.

[@violagentsch]

Giving it thumbs up for making the public aware of this cruelty

[@FlabbergastedFirefly]

Greed, nothing but greed. Many of the problems could be solved my making more rules of like the age of the horses racing and so on

[@NinaR860]

When a horse dies on track => disqualification => no money for them. Problem solved.

[@MyAnchorIsJesus]

"What you don't see on tv or in specials like this one condemning the industry as a whole" "this is a biased propaganda piece made by peeta members." 1. This is *not* condemning the industry *as a whole*, if you actually listen to what they're saying in the video, you'd realize that; heck, the last 10 minutes alone makes that clear. It's an educational video about the how frequently these incidents are occurring in smaller time frames, and what has became the prominent cause of it. 2. Since when did educating people on what negatively goes on in any particular thing suddenly become biased propaganda? All this video is doing is bringing to light information that a lot of people aren't aware of. If people aren't educated on the way *the arrogant owners* are over-dosing, over-working, and mistreating their horses just to make big bucks, how is *any* change in the right direction supposed to take place? Without education on issues in general, bans and regulations would cease to exist and, eventually, cause a collapse in the system. There needs to be a balance and without knowledge of the negative, there won't be. What's biased are the people who assume that everyone, trying to educate others to hopefully, ultimately, lead to a reduction in these numbers, are simultaneously trying to ban the sport and paint the entirety of individuals involved as the bad guys. Playing the "numbers game" doesn't change the fact that these incidents are occurring *far* more frequently, and at a devastating rate. There needs to be strong enough backing to help reduce the frequency, and weed out the people who clearly do not deserve to be a part of the sport of kings. You won't see progress by keeping your mouth shut, whistling rainbows and butterflies. Sorry kids, but this isn't a Disney movie. I love horse-racing, but I do not support *those who* abuse the sport and their horses.

[@TheMNrailfan227]

This is why motorsports are superior. No animal abuse in sight.

[@raquel9532]

Horse racing, I believe, is a sport, like any other, and should be a hobby or past time but not an industry or corporation controlled thing. In other words, no one should get paid to do it. I think sport should be for recreation and personal well being, not profit. If horse racing, among other sports, was non-profit, then the true athletes and passionate players would step forward and no one would be exploited.

[@izzymilne4155]

Well if we did that, then it would be hard to ride. Many people love riding. I used to pull my stirrups on my English saddle ALL the way up and stand in my stirrups while I rode. BEST riding style ever! My horse was in his early 30's and I would ride him every day for short amounts if time. It kept him from being restless in his pen, and it was fun for me. When I had to move, I no longer rode. I still rarely can. When I'm 16, I can't wait to start doing jobs around the racetrack. If I couldn't get paid for it, I'd have to work a different job, then try to race! That, my friend, would be hard because racetracks are NOT an all day thing. Well, the racing isn't. At del mar, 8 races run a day. The day ends then they do stuff after the races and whatever. I went on closing day last year, I met joeseph talamo (for the 2nd time :)) Rafael B. , and mike smith. That was really fun for me and my little brother an sister. We also got to pet the lead ponies, and enjoyed a good day of racing. We went home and were happy. That is an experience I will never forget. So if the jockeys were not able to earn money for that, who knows if that great day would have happened? It is also hard to ride. TB, so jockeys really do EARN the money they make, as long as there is no foul play. So therefore, it would be unwise to not add money to racing. Plus, people would still bet and make money. No difference there.

[@raquel9532]

Izzy Milne This post makes absolutely no sense. Sports are physical, so yes they are difficult. But, people who never earn a dollar in their lives still play sports at home or with friends and family, so that's what I mean. Jockeys are trained by corporations to do what they do. Saying that they "earn" every cent is like saying models or actors earn every cent, when really, they are not doing anything constructive nor are they utilizing their natural talent or passion doing something that makes them happy and healthy, but standing in front of a camera, like programmed robots and dehumanizing themselves. They are chasing the almighty dollar, and that is not passion or talent, it is training and it's greed. That is why people and animals get hurt and exploited. If sports were not owned by corporation, which is what I said before, you obviously did not pay any attention to my post, then there wouldn't be greed involved, the horses would be privately owned and much better cared for, and they would never be ran to death, and there would be more people who are doing sports out of passion and desire, instead of greed and capitalism. Of course people will still gamble, but this way it would be less malevolent and it would be private, not controlled by business interest. If sports were not jobs, people would be more focused on healthy competition rather than making a quick buck off the suffering of others. Sports players make more money each year than CEOs, and for what? I enjoy Baseball, Basketball, and Soccer, but honestly, what are those people doing that they deserve such ridiculously high salaries??

[@melannjohnston7506]

Sky Leopard Izzy's just a kid, so it really did make sense. Jockeys are not trained by corporations?? That didn't make sense??

[@izzymilne4155]

Melann Johnston at least SOME people get it. Some people here have stupidity beyond imaginable.

[@painite9972]

horse racing IS a sport, it's a branch in Horse-back riding. and no, it's to expensive to be just a hobby.

[@AudraYoungRealtor]

Why is no one mentioning that that most all breeds of horses are not done growing til the age 5-7yo. The lower legs are the last bones to mature. So running a 2 or 3 yo is like making your toddler compete in the Olympics. They are too young,! That's why they're legs are breaking.

[@dostagirl9551]

These horses have it "lucky" in that they're at least humanely euthanized. For all the others who don't go on to be great champions, it's not such a quick ending. Most get shipped off to slaughter and endure horrifying conditions until they're put down with a bolt gun to the head. As for the horses themselves, they're going the route of chickens. You ever seen a battery farm chicken? My friend bought two when she was replacing some laying hens. Both died before full maturity because they grew quicker than their bones could support. Same thing happening to horses...not just in racing either. Quarter horses use to be a fine example of versatility and had strong and thick cannon bones to make them powerhouses in multiple sports. Now they're bred with toothpick legs holding up those thick barrel bodies and aren't nearly as healthy and hearty as their ancestors. These idiots keep messing around like this, and they'll find themselves shut down just like the dog tracks.

[@meaganwallwork5395]

How bout stop racing babies? Horses aren't fully developed until their 5. If you put this amount of stress on a horse's muscles and skeleton while it's developing you're going to cause damage. Every OTTB I've ever seen has some type of long term injury. When they can't run anymore they're sent to the slaughter house. The racing industry is disgusting.

[@YL702]

I WISH THERE WAS A REALITY WHERE HORSES WOULD RIDE US TILL DEATH TO SEE HOW WE LIKE IT .. ONE THING IS TO LOVE AND BOND WITH YOUR HIRSE ABOTHER IS TO BE A JOCKEY

[@Phoenixishot]

It was called slavery, went on for 400 years.

[@maximillian1109]

They have no respect for the horses and they have no respect for the riders, the two parties actually in danger while a race is on. This is insane.

[@briannathomas4277]

13.17 them eyebrows on fleek

[@bjerrings]

The jockeys are guilty to ... they Know and do Nothing... I can't file sorry for them