Like everyone else I was horrified to see Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles break down after the race and be euthanized on the track. The incident has ignited a firestorm of discussion about horse racing and it's place, if any, in our society. Most argue horse racing is a noble sport where owners treat these animals like family members. Owners and trainers constantly refer to the horses as athletes who can't wait to compete. My question is with the obvious exception of Mr. Ed, has anyone really talked to a horse about this? Others consider it a cruel sport intended to amuse and financially benefit their insensitive owners and the dolts who bet on them.
Here's my take racing fans! Any "sport" where the participants are unwilling competitors is not a sport. It's an exhibition of forced labor. Sure, if you're a $10,000,000 foal or Triple Crown winner, life is pretty good but that's only because someone has a lot of money tied up or is expecting a big return. But if you're a $1,000 claimer, you're one race away from the glue factory or a riding stable. In addition, the financial pressures to produce increasingly prompt trainers and owners to fast forward schedules of many of these young horses resulting in injury or death. Can't we find something else to amuse ourselves?
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