| Education Links
Where Do Racehorses Go? New York Times August 23, 2009. Includes a touching video at Old Friends in Kentucky
Tougher Horse Laws Planned
Farm Offers Second Chance For Horses & Inmates
Thoroughbreds Retire to Prison
Article and Video by William R. Snyder in the Wall Street Journal Magazine
Ask
The Vet...Bronchodilators by Kim Kuhlmann,
DVM
California
Horse Racing Board (CHRB)
Thoroughbred
Owners of California (TOC)
Critical
Information on Horse Slaughter in the US
Read How the Humane
Society of the United States (HSUS)
saved 30 MIRACLE horses from inside a slaughter house
and what you can do to help
Jockey
Club Endorses Ban on Steroids, August 2007
Colic Surgery Guide by Janice Posnikoff,
DVM
Retraining
a Former Race Horse
TOC
Medication Summit Review, July 28, 2007
October 16, 2008 - Thoroughbred Times
NTRA to Adopt Sweeping Reforms
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has challenged the racing industry to adopt sweeping reforms in a safety and integrity initiative that former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson will monitor as independent counsel. The NTRA is taking pledges from racetracks to adhere to the plan as members of the new Safety and Integrity Alliance. The NTRA will begin issuing certifications next year for racetracks that have the measures in place, and Thompson will conduct ongoing reviews and provide independent and public reports at least annually that will detail compliance. Many of the reforms are based on recommendations by the Jockey Club Safety Committee and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium that have been adopted in some statesin the wake of Eight Belles's fatal breakdown in the Kentucky Derby earlier this year.
The initiatives include:
a continued move toward uniform medication rules;
a ban of steroids from racing competition;
out of competition testing for blood and gene doping agents;
uniform penalties for all medication infractions;
mandatory on-track and nonracing injury reporting;
mandatory installation of protective inner safety rails;
mandatory pre- and post-race security; and
adoption of a placement program for retired Thoroughbreds.
The tracks will largely be responsible for the initial costs of implementation.
The NTRA expects member racetracks to adopt temporary house rules for some of the reforms while the Safety and Integrity Alliance calls on individual states and regulatory agencies to enact permanent rules.
The NTRA developed the plan after the industry came under intense scrutiny during a turbulent spring that included Eight Belles's death and the admission of trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. that Big Brown regularly received steroids prior to his victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes (G1).
Less than two weeks after the conclusion of the Triple Crown, a subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee of the United States House of Representatives conducted a hearing on the state of Thoroughbred racing that was punctuated by skepticism that the industry could reform itself. Representatives indicated they would consider legislation that would mandate the creation of a national horse racing commission if the industry did not address its problems. The NTRA was emboldened further this summer when extensive polling revealed widespread discontent among hardcore fans regarding drug use in racing and concern from casual fans for the welfare of racehorses.
"Our industry is taking strong, positive steps to ensure the safety and integrity of our sport," said Alex Waldrop, the NTRA's president and chief executive officer. Despite challenges and significant short-term and long-term costs, there is an unprecedented level of commitment among Thoroughbred racing's leadership to see these measures through.
The NTRA expects the reforms to be enacted in phases. The steroid ban, which has been accelerated by Jockey Club Safety Committee recommendations and new policies from the Thoroughbred Ownersand Breeders Association's American Graded Stakes Committee and Breeders' Cup Ltd., will likely be among the first measures Thompson will consider next year when he begins to monitor compliance.
"You can bet that our first priority will be the medication area," Waldrop said. "I can see that being a high priority going forward. Other areas may take some time, for instance the retirement issue. We still need some work there."
MEC Adopts Anti-Slaughter Policy
October 10, 2008
AURORA , ON , Oct. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Magna Entertainment Corp. ("MEC" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: MECA; TSX: MEC.A) announced today that it has recently formally adopted a company-wide policy promoting the humane treatment of racehorses. Under the policy, any trainer or owner stabling at an MEC facility who directly or indirectly participates in the transport of a horse from an MEC facility to either a slaughterhouse or an auction house engaged in selling horses for slaughter will be prohibited from having stalls at any MEC facility. The policy also applies to any actions related to the transport of a horse from an MEC facility where the ultimate intended result is the horse's slaughter.
Ron Charles, Chief Operating Officer of MEC and President of Santa Anita Park, commented: "MEC is extremely pleased to formally adopt a policy to further encourage the humane treatment of racehorses. We intend this to be one in a series of steps that will be taken in an effort to protect our equine athletes. Consistent with the long-standing vision of Frank Stronach and management at our racetracks, the policy signifies the Company's strong intent to deal only with those trainers and owners who have the welfare of racehorses as their primary concern."
Frank Stronach, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MEC commented, "Since the inception of MEC, we have taken care to protect the health and safety of customers, workers and equine athletes participating in activities at all of our facilities. The goal of the policy is to forewarn industry participants who participate in the slaughter of racehorses that they are not welcome at any of our facilities across the country. I hope other racetrack owners formally adopt similar policies".
MEC, North America 's largest owner and operator of horse racetracks, based on revenue, develops, owns and operates horse racetracks and related pari-mutuel wagering operations, including off-track betting facilities. MEC also develops, owns and operates casinos in conjunction with its racetracks where permitted by law. MEC owns and operates AmTote International, Inc., a provider of totalisator services to the pari-mutuel industry, XpressBet(R), a national Internet and telephone account wagering system, as well as MagnaBet(TM) internationally. Pursuant to joint ventures, MEC has a fifty percent interest in HorseRacing TV(R), a 24-hour horse racing television network, and TrackNet Media Group LLC, a content management company formed for distribution of the full breadth of MEC's horse racing content.
Update on H.R. 6598 - Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008
The House Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives favorably passed proposed legislation to ban the slaughter of American horses for human consumption overseas, as well as the export of American horses to other countries for slaughter. House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) introduced the bill, H.R. 6598, known as the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008.
This bill is still a long way from passing into law. It still must be passed by a majority vote of the Representatives, and the Senate must do the same.
The legislation is being opposed by the AVMA, AQHA, and AAEP. These organizations have dug in their heels on the issue of slaughter, or (more precisely) government intervention on the slaughter of animals for meat. I truly don ' t believe that anyone in those organizations wants to defend the stuffing of dozens of horses into double-decker trailers for long, hot journeys to Mexican slaughterhouses, but politics is forcing them into just that.
This issue continues to split the horse world the same way that abortion is the hot-button issue in the larger political scene. I think we should look at that issue as a (bad) model and work for solutions that prevent further splits and animosity in the horse world.
One thing I know is true: A workable solution will probably not come from a regulation crafted by legislators and lawyers in Washington . But Washington could force the horse industry into a new era of self-awareness and responsibility.
To better understand horse slaughter as a hot-button issue, keep your eye on abortion debates and on the somewhat related issue of puppy mills . Watch how the government is handling both those issues (or not handling them).
Some solutions I support or propose:
1. If the AQHA is against slaughter, it should discourage its members from breeding. Declare a moratorium for one year, say 2010. Close the book on new foal registrations temporarily. Educate owners and breeders that this is for the good of the breed and the US horse market. Supporting both slaughter as a disposal method and breeding as a means to set new registration records is not in the best interest of horse welfare.
2. If the AVMA and AAEP are against slaughter, they should begin massive owner education programs to discourage breeding, particularly of sub-standard mares. Vet clinics should also offer a period during their natural slow seasons twice each year to offer discounted euthanasia and castration services. Vets make money on breeding and foaling, so a simple equation is that more horses owned by fewer clients are good for a clinic ' s bottom line. A shift in emphasis needs to made to wellness care and preventive medicine for existing horses rather than creating more horses. Vets should begin to offer decision-making seminars or ethical counseling for mare owners. If clients can ' t pay their bills, should they be breeding more horses?
3. If the humane and welfare organizations are against slaughter, they should work on massive owner education programs to discourage owning a stallion and they should work with the AVMA and AAEP to offer discounted castrations for cash-strapped clients the same way they offered spay/neuter services for dogs and cats.
4. Breed organizations should follow the model used in Europe so that only approved stallions breed mares. Saying that a stud is (for instance) a registered Paint is no guarantee that the stud is a quality animal worthy of passing on its genes. Likewise, the sale of stud colt weanlings and yearlings should be discouraged. Castrate them first.
5. If the US government wants to regulate horse affairs, it can look to taxation of breeding stock. If you want to breed your mare, perhaps a fee needs to be paid that will support some of the many thousands of unwanted horses. Breeding a mare should be a privilege. The government might also look at a moratorium or higher tax on imported horses, particularly mares and stallions, while there is a glut of unwanted horses here. At the same time, ownership of affordable pleasure (non-breeding) horses could be a tax credit, linked to open land preservation.
6. Find an alternative to the bottom rung auctions. The "meat buyers" should keep a database of the horses they acquire and who owned and bred them. At the very least, we should know breed, sex, and age. Make that information public. If 50 percent of slaughter-bound horses are a certain breed, wouldn ' t that information have be a call to action for a breed registry to reduce new registrations and discourage breeding until over-production stabilizes?
7. The USTA and Jockey Club need to keep track of ex-racehorses. Owners who abandon their horses and do not provide for their retirement should be embarrassed. If an owner stands in a winner ' s circle accepting a check while last year ' s campaigner stands in an auction pen, the public should know. If the high bidder at Keeneland sent 50 horses to slaughter last year, it should be known. The racing/betting fan base should know MUCH more about how owners dispose of or provide for their retired stock. Syndicates and partnerships should have a policy about what they do with non-racing stock that is part of their offering. Those who do (and who stick to it) should get publicity for it.
8. Retirement farms and rescue centers should not differentiate between past winners and "just horses". Encouraging donations or adoptions only because a horse has an impressive show or race record is a slippery slope. A horse that has won for its owner should never end up in a retirement or rescue farm, unless the horse arrives with a big donation check. Prospective adopters should not be interested in a horse only because it was a winner.
9. Horse publications should report more objectively on the issues of slaughter and over-breeding and end their cash-cow stallion issues, effective in 2009. Many are not serving their readers by presenting balanced reporting; some are not reporting on this issue at all. They should also discontinue their "bringing up baby" issues that encourage the creation of more cute foals. People who say they are against slaughter need to pressure publishers into more pro-active roles in educating mare and stallion owners about responsible breeding. If a publication persists in encouraging breeding, readers can cancel subscriptions. Cancel event, farm services and other non-breeding ads. Write letters to the editor. Write another one. These steps will get their attention. (Note: I know that Horse Illustrated has already discontinued its breeding edition for this reason; hopefully other publications have as well.) Editors should be advocates for the reader ' s information needs. A publication that is dependent on stallion ads for revenue needs to balance that reality.
10. Throughout the industry: Create a culture of public information about horse breeders and stallion get. We need more "where are they now" information but also statistics on how breeders of show and race horses dispose of their lower quality weanlings and yearlings and two-year-olds. Report on the number of show and race horses imported into the US each year. Create a culture of peer pressure among horse owners. Give more prizes at shows to horses who are born and bred in the USA and who were rescued, retrained from racing or rehabilitated. Monitor dog and cat breed/show issues and learn from them (and their mistakes). Encourage veterinary research programs and product development that will help injured or older horses rather than funding more research aimed at getting more mares in foal or increasing fertility of past-peak stallions.
And then, encourage everyone you know to get involved in horses or financially adopt a needy horse at a rescue farm. Encourage the press to publicize the work that is being done to help horses, on both sides of the slaughter fence. Re-invent horse ownership as something fun and meaningful to do in life. Become an ambassador for horses.
11. Tear down the fence and let's all go for a ride. Together.
CARMA Equals Racehorse Retirement in California The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) have been addressing racehorse retirement and recently the CHRB (California Horse Racing Board) voted to accept their recommendation. The program is called CARMA (California Retirement Management Account) and takes a small portion of purse money that will be distributed to accredited retirement facilities. Read more about the program's details by clicking on the link.
http://www.toconline.com/html/files/Archives/LoveofHorses.pdf
Last Owner (from the Thoroughbred Owners of
California Website)
In the relatively short history of the thoroughbred
(a little over 300 years), only 40 to 50 generations
have been produced. The alchemy of creating the classic
horse is an imperfect science with many excuses for
failure, and an equal number of theories about how to
succeed. The fact is, the racehorse has changed little,
if we measure success on the basis of stop-watch timings.
They have improved only marginally over the last 70
years, and some of that improvement is coming from more
accurate timing devices.
The wonder of the thoroughbred racehorse, and the quality
that draws us to them, is their genetic need to run
as far and as fast as they can. Added to the traditional
training they receive, the effort they put out in any
race surpasses the heights achieved by human athletes
during Championship encounters in basketball, football
or even marathon racing. Like all great athletes, they
are prone to injury - in fact, especially prone: when
they are competing, over 1,000 pounds of muscle and
bone land jarringly on spindly front legs 120 times
every quarter of a mile. They tell us about their injuries
by the manner in which they eat, walk, canter and respond
to human handling.
So the vigilant owner must be a consistent monitor
of the horse´s condition. Once the physical signs
of deterioration begin to show up, decisive action must
be taken. The question the owner must now face when,
sadly, the horse´s career is threatened by serious
injury is, what do we do? It is particularly difficult
when the horse is unfit for breeding. Experienced owners
often have people willing to give the horse a home,
where it may be used as a riding or "pleasure"
horse after six or so months of recuperation and retraining.
For those who own farms as well as thoroughbreds, the
question of maintaining an injured horse is the decision
to provide food and pasture. A large majority of owners
do not have that luxury available. A minimum fee for
care at a boarding farm is between $3 and $8 a day.
Given a life expectancy of 15 to 20 more years (after
its brief racing career), a retired horse becomes a
major non-returnable investment.
It´s hard to pull your heart away from a horse
you own. They do become something more than an investment,
no matter how tough-minded you are. But there an investment
you can make that insures a workable future for horses
who can no longer race and cannot or should not be consigned
for breeding. Both The United Pegasus Foundation and
The California Equine Retirement Foundation* are non-profit
organizations which will either re-train and place former
thoroughbred racers, or else board them FOR THE REMAINDER
OF THEIR LIVES. These foundations live on donations,
and depend upon private sector support - i.e., US -
in order to survive. The authors urge you to reach into
your charity purse and make a donation that could well
spell a long and comfortable life for your thoroughbred
after it has given its all and its racing career is
finished.
An important note:
There is an unexpected "black market" in retired
racehorses. It can happen that the horse you think you
have retired and given or sold to a private individual
is re-sold, either for slaughter, for (in the case of
broodmares) a cruel practice known as "hormone
milking" for Premarin - or, strangely enough, for
continued racing at obscure tracks elsewhere. If you
do not personally know the individual to whom you are
transferring your horse, check him or her out. In the
case of the "continued racing" black market,
there is a prescribed and workable solution: If you
know your horse is no longer fit for racing or for race-breeding
and want to make certain it IS retired, return the horse´s
"Certificate of Foal Registration" to The
Jockey Club with an accompanying notation that the horse
was transferred, or sold, "without pedigree"
(thoroughbreds cannot be raced or bred to produce racing
foals without their pedigree papers). This notation
must state the date the horse was transferred, and must
be signed by the owner or the owner´s authorized
agent.
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