They shoot horses, don't they?

Herald Leader Kentucky ^ | May 3, 2008 | Maryjean Wall

[Jean S]

Why this drastic measure for horses?

Horses are very fragile creatures when it involves their legs, their feet in particular. If one is damaged, and I'm speaking of an injury, not a break, a short rest on the opposite foot can cause hoof damage on the opposite foot. A break is devastating, the other leg cannot take the weight long enough for a break to heal. The hoof will be damaged beyond repair. If two legs are severly damaged it is impossible to save the horse.

[Jean S]

I’m leaning towards jockey error too, some blame belongs to the trainer too. It was the jockey’s first Derby and no horse should break down that way. It makes no sense unless she was pushed beyond her ability.

This breaks my heart. Thank God I didn’t see the race.

This is another indication that the TB is being overbred for racing. They’re only expected to last for a few years. No one cares much if they last longer unless they win and become good breeding stock for more race horses that last a few years.

I hate TB racing. 2 year olds should still be in pasture, not under saddle running under the whip.

[B-Chan]

Man, that’s a hard thing to see.

[TNdandelion]

I would imagine it’s like euthanizing any beloved animal/pet. I didn’t think I could do it with my beagle but I couldn’t NOT be there, either.

[combat_boots]

“but I don’t think it is anything more than heartbreaking.”

Thanks for the info. My grandad had race horses. They were lost in a barn fire where they were kept. He couldn’t save them, and never got another one.

I am really sad about this poor girl, Eight Belles. Grand looking stride. Great looking horse. Makes you not want to go to these big races. I did used to go to the Derby. No horse was ever killed then.

[Blue Highway]

I wouldn't be surprised this photo op of Chelsey Clinton was taken at the Kentuck Derby just after the horse was put down.

What a media whore she ia turning out to be.

[Freedom Dignity n Honor]

Yep, the jockey said he raised up after they passed the finish line and then Eight Belles started galloping funny, he tried to rein her in then she went down. When she went down, the jockey slid off.

I know this might sound cruel but I wish when horses had only one broken leg, they'd try to treat them like they did Barbaro in the hopes that the technology advances enough that they could learn how to save these horses.

Eight Belles didn't stand a chance. What impresses me about her is that even with both ankles broken she kept trying to stay on her feet and the racing officials were trying to get her to lay down so that she wouldn't hurt herself more or wouldn't increase the pain, I suppose.

[bmwcyle]

She plays while her poor father Webb has to go to gail for Bill and Hill.

[seoul62]

It is emotionally draining. I saw the clip todat on ESPN with Eight Belles laying on the track, I could not take it , I brokedown again sobbing. I apologize for being a wimp./Just Asking - seoul62.......

[seoul62]

I just saw the pictures posted above, this is too much for me. I am not brave like my fellow freepers. Do they give the horses in that condition, an injection. In the old days, what did they do??????/Just Asking - seoul62.........

[Selmore]

Kentucky Derby Officials...Michael Vick is on the phone and needs to talk to you

[Jean S]

Sorry about the late reply. I had to head to bed.
They euthanize horses via IV in the jugular. I've witnessed it 3 times. One was a filly born with a broken foreleg. Man, that was sad, I had to lay on top of her until the vet arrived because she kept trying to stand. I witnessed it twice on standing adult horses. They use a combination of drugs, a sedative, pain releiver and a drug that suppresses breathing which is what kills the horse. At least, that was the combination they used in my time. It's sad to witness but it's very humane. The horses that are standing go down slowly, as if they're going to take a nap.

[seoul62]

All noted, you are a brave individual. I cannot bear to look at those pictures again. If I had seen witnessed what you had seen, I would have fainted. With all the modern technological advances that we have made, would a high tech harness help ease the pain and stabilize the horse, just a thought./Just Asking - seoul62.......

[grellis]

When we first got married, my husband was stationed at Ft Knox and we made it up to the Downs every chance we got, which was pretty often. I don't remember seeing a single horse go down in hundreds of races. Ditto Arlington in Chicago, never saw one go down.

I'm just glad my kids didn't watch the race with me. They usually do.

[Jean S]

a high tech harness

They have slings for horses and they can work for a short period. Horses need to stand on all four or the opposite foot suffers.
You don't faint, you just cry.

[SomeCallMeTim]

http://horseracing.about.com/od/triplecrown2000/a/aakdfillies.htm

Well... you both got the winning fillies....

Winning Colors in 1988,
Genuine Risk in 1980.

Funny.. I always thought Lil E Tee was a filly... but, apparently not.

Sure was a sad thing to have happen to such a game horse. I was at the Derby, watched her run right by me. I had no idea what had happened until a friend called me while I was standing in line to cash my tickets on Big Brown. I also hit the exacta. So, the news took a lot of the joy out of my win.

[SomeCallMeTim]

I don’t recall ever seeing this happen at a Derby... and, I’ve seen the last 8 in person, and the 30 before that on TV.

But, I do watch a fair bit of racing, and sadly... this is not an uncommon thing. I have personally bet on three different horses that were euthanized on the track. Actually, I’d say it happens to some horse 1 out of 3 times I’ve been to Churchill. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems to be happening more and more frequently.