Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

And yet one more exploitation of beautiful animals...which maybe one day will end.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

It is so horrible to see these poor animals go down like this. The pain they endure has to be agony! There is obviously something wrong in the breeding and the shape of the tracks they run on. For most, it is still all about the money in the horses' lives.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

It's all for the sake of money at the animals expense.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

these young fillies and colts are still in their growth spurts..their growth plates are very fragile..young horses may run fast, but their bodies are not up for the constant pounding and pressure of the ground against their growing bodies..this is one more reason to keep babies off the track. Unnecessary deaths, for the love of money..interesting isnt it??

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

For such a beautiful sport, such an ugly outcome is certainly tragic. Hopefully this will bring enough pressure to the racing commission to change some of the dreadfully outdated rules on drugs and age limits. She may have died, but she died doing what she was born to do and likely loved doing. Why else would she beat 18 other boys! She was a champion and will leave behind a legacy we can only speculate on.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

GREED

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

How can people still enjoy watching animals get hurt or worse for sport? We watch these sports and even bet good money on these poor animals. We need to put an end to animal sports from horse races, dog racing, dog fights, weight pulling and all other sports that cause injuries, death and shorten the lives of these wonderful creatures that we call pets.If you want to help put a stop to these abusive sports please go to PETA's website and join.Together we can make a difference.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

Greed! At the expense of a vulnerable animal! Anyone involved in the entertainment and sport of using and abusing animals should be ashamed. Horses may love to run, as do most animals, naturally, but there is nothing natural about the training they must endure, the drugs forced upon them to compete in this so called sport. Nothing is natural about the sport of horse racing. It is human abuse of animals for human greed and fame. If these animals are truly regarded as magnificent in their own right, why are they abused for competition and the fewer and fewer wild horses that are still free and wild are rounded up discarded and slaughtered. Shame!

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

Its an ugly "sport" that the horse is just pushed pushed pushed, and since it is the jockey pushing them, their handler the person they trust, they literally give it their all, it is a sad end for a wonderful creature that trusted their jockey. I rode horses for years, and was involved in horse rescue, so I am speaking from experience. Yes the horses you see at the Derby are well taken care of and treated well, but on the flip side it is no better than greyhound racing.
I hope that this will bring some light to this, and that the horses are medically and physically able to compete, if not stay in the stall and take the day off!
It's all about the big purse at the end of the day!
God Bless the poor horses

Re: Horses & Greyhounds...

I agree with all the comments. It is very sad that these animals are used to feed the greed of humans. Horse racing is no better than greyhound racing. Yes, they love to run....but at the expense of who? It's not worth it! I watched this horse race on Saturday in my livingroom with my grandparents who love horse races. Well my "retired" ex-racing greyhound was in the livingroom, and you should have seen his whole body change and his ears stand straight up when he heard the bugle playing at the beginning of the horse race. It was the weirdest thing....and a little creepy too. You could see him think for a second and sort of have a 'flash back'. He just stood very still and stiff like a board waiting to see what was going to happen next. Well, I guess then he remembered he was "home" and walked over to me for a hug and a pet on his head and around his ears! :)

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

Here in Massachusetts several years ago, Greyhounds were being mistreated (as in every dog racing park) and people got up in arms and brought the mistreatment out into the open. There was a referendum for a moritorium, but unfortunately did not pass. Instead many, many people adopted these beautiful, gentle dogs and gave them loving homes. I hope the same will be true with the cruel and ridiculous sport of horse racing.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

I love to watch the horses race, but saying that they should not be racing at such a young age as they haven't matured enough. the sport also needs to look into safe tracks. Horses like to run, but they also need to be protected. there is also the fact that the 3 races , Derby, Preakness and Belmont are run too close together for the health of the horses. Lets hope that this sport now will look into ethical practices and the health of these beautiful animals,

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

I was there when it happened. It was horribly sad!

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

Is she rejoicing in her Second Place victory? No. She lost her life doing what man wanted her to do and not what she was created for. Running in the fields wild and free.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

Race horses are started to young. Some, barely 18 months old. They are still developing babies. This is far to physical of sport to not let young bones have time to fully grow. They shouldn't even have a rider untill 2 yrs. old. The breeders are more worried about speed than development and longetivity.
Just like dog show breeders, only concerned about looks, instead of temperment and health.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

There is sadness in my heart for Eight Belles. May she be treated like GOLD @ Rainbow Bridge.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

I agree with the sadness. Broke my heart reading these posts. Totally_Purring I like your text about Eight Belles "May she be treated like GOLD @ The Rainbow Bridge".

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

It has been estimated that over 95% of Thoroughbreds today tie back to Native Dancer in their bloodline, many times on both sides of their pedigree. That fact in itself is a major factor in the fragile makeup of these beautiful animals - inbreeding and linebreeding will magnify desirable characteristics, but inbreeding to this level can only magnify defects and weaknesses. Speed instead of stamina has been the pursuit of breeders for many years, and now the horses are paying the price! I agree that the horses are competing at too young an age - training and conditioning at reasonable levels can be done while they are developing, but competing should wait until they are three or even older. Barbaro and Eight Belles paid the price, and it is hearbreaking. Now they are both running together, free of pain and running for the sheer joy of running.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

I have adopted a few ex-race horses over the years and everyone has not lived to a ripe old age before physically breaking down and having to be euthanized. Some of them have never been able to be ridden after being on the track and suffering knee,leg, hoof injuries etc. There was one in particular named Smokey who upon his arrival had such a bad knee injury that he could only tolerate very light riding for only a year before he could not be ridden at all. He had evidence of "pinfiring" a practice of taking an injured horse and injecting drugs into the joints so he won't feel the pain and continue to run. When I adopted him as a 4 yrd old he was on a meat packers truck due to be slaughtered. He was the sweetest and gentlest of souls and was so dediciated to me that no matter how bad my day went..all I had to do was wrap my arms around his neck and get a nuzzle and I was fine. He lost his life 3 yrs later when his damaged knees became too painful for him to get around the field. He loved to run, just like the babies on the track, and he could not understand why he could not do that anymore and became depressed. These animals rely on us to make good sound decisions as to their development to lead a healthy life and horses trained and run so hard so young spell disaster..even if they love doing it. I hope Smokey is showing Belles around on the rainbow bridge and they are running free like they never had a chance to before.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

I think it an absolute shame that beatuful creatures such as horses but definitely not just them, are subject to "sport" then in the event of mishap or misfortion are so unfortunately just "discarded"! While human athletes paticipate in activities that are times violent, career and life-threatening, you never.....ever see a human "put down". All expenses are taken to save a life, which should be the case. Why though, are we so quick to end the life of an animal? I don't pretend to know whether Eight Belles could have been saved or not but I hope that the people who made the decision to end her life at least expended all the possible options to save her. If a marathoner went into cardiac arrest on the course, would we not save him/her?

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I think horse racing should not be done. It's insane that these beautiful horses should be used for money. I wish we could strap reins on humans and make them run around a track. It's makes me very angry to see these beautiful animals exploited for money.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

The worst of it is she could have been saved. I have seen other horses with broken legs, even a broken back, hung in a sling while the legs are in a cast to heal. They never run again, but they can breed or go to petting farms where disabled children get to ride for a minute. She's be free to do what she wanted, they way SHE wanted. At the speed SHE wanted, not what a man wanted. But no, put her down without a thought. I hate racing of any animals and this is just one of the reasons.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

I think the horse racing industry should be investigated. There has been to many horses put down. I feel with al l the money that is invloved with horse racing you would think they would figure out what is going on. If it is the track that is breaking these horse's legs fix it, it the horses are too young change that. I watch horse racing not because of a sport I watch it because it love the beauty of the horses. I watched Barbaro and Eight Belles and I feel so sad. This does not have to happen .

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

Sadly inbreeding and line breeding are not limited to thoroughbred horses, for many many years it has been the accepted practice with purebred dogs by responsible and reputable breeders. Anytime an animal is bred only for specific characteristics, speed, size, shape, etc the outcome is likely to become disastrous ...blindness, hip dysplasia, back problems, breathing problems, undesired temperament, the list goes on....
Thoroughbreds have been bred for speed, their physical development has changed/is delayed from what it had been years past. Racing needs to be rethought, perhaps a different track surface, perhaps delay racing for a year or two or..., and definitely wider gene pools (in all species) to reduce the dominance of "bad" genes . Athletes are injured, that's a given but changes for safety should be too.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

I wish we would stop "whoring out" innocent creatures for money. Everything on this earth must turn a profit or be deemed useless and unwanted. So sad. Rest in peace, Eight Belles and Barbaro. May God bless you in the next life, and may you both be racing the wind with glee in your magnificent hearts.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

Did it bother anyone that the jockey just walked away? What was up with that??

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

It breaks my heart to see any animal treated as if they are disposable. It bothers me to hear the owners try to assure people that this was what the horse wanted to do...that it's the life the horse would have chosen...how do they know that? As long as people throw money at the horse racing industry this will never stop.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

How long until the fate of every species is no longer dependent on the whims of just one?

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

All of our hearts are broken -- what can we do to change all of this? Whom can we contact and urge to change all of the rules in order to protect and respect our horses? If we do not take action, this blatant disregard for horses will continue. I've contacted the NHPL -- I am awaiting their reply. I've contacted PETA -- I signed their petitions. I visited "the petition site" and signed and commented several petitions. I urge everyone to do the same. This is a genuine outrage. If there is anything more I can do, please let me know and let everyone know -- we have to take action and do whatever it takes. We cannot allow this industry to continue their practices otherwise we are no better than co-conspirators. I will never attend a horse race or any show or exhibition where animals are abused. We must get people out of their states of denial and do what is honorable, respectable and right.

The Tale of Eight Belles - WE MUST TAKE POSITIVE ACTION TO CHANGE THE RULES

I am so devastated by all the tragedies that occur to our animals because of our egos, our neglect, our abuse. WHAT DO WE DO? WHAT CAN WE DO? We know NOT to go to the racetrack anymore. But, WHAT ELSE? SOMEONE HAS TO PROTECT THE HORSES FROM THIS CONSTANT AND CONTINUOUS DISREGARD FOR LIFE AND ABUSE OF LIFE! These horses need protection. WHAT SHOULD WE DO? MARCH TO WASHINGTON AND DEMAND LEGISLATION! If anyone has any ideas, please let us all know.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

I've been a horseracing fan since I was a little kid. I just love horses. I am furiou with Churchill Downs for not installing a synthetic track. In '06 when Churchill Downs hosted the Breeders' Cup, I watched as another filly had to be put down on the track because she suffered a catastrophic injury during a race. Other tracks have put in synthetic tracks an dthe number of accidents have gone down. Churchill Downs MUST change the track to have safer races. Until they do they CAN NOT say they are doing all they can do for safety.

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Horse racing should be as illegal as dog fighting. It is animal exploitation and human greed.

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I have read about several wonderful horse rescues and farms. How do we educate the people in the horseracing industry about these places, and their alternatives to euthenasia? Not to mention, when a horse such as this has won her/his owner a significant amount of money, why shouldn't that person then be responsible for her care? She should be entitled to something for her work. Perhaps in the end, if owners are made to be financially responsible for their horses' after-race-care, the entire concept will become less desirable to those who put greed above an animal's quality of life.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

After watching Barbaro suffer for 8 months after breaking one leg , not two and losing the battle , I have to disagree with the comments that have been made about saving Eight Belles. Euthanasia was the right thing to do. Tragic and sad as it is to accept she would only have suffered. And I am not an expert on horses but I believe they need at least 3 legs to support their weight even in a sling.
Animal sport is big business , be realistic. They tried to save Barbaro for his worth as a stud. Eight Belles wasn't worth saving as a breeder. There was no compassion for either , only dollar signs. People are right to demand better care in breeding , training and track issues but you will never stop animals from man's exploitation.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

I can't believe what America will do for the almightly $$$$$$$. It 's a sin............God created this beau tiful creatures I feel quite sure, NOT for racing. But we always turn it into money. They pay dearly......the same with pit bull - dog fighting, cock fighting, and horse-racing!! When will they ever get it? In t he case with Eight Bells.......what a waste....what a shame. Now I suppse they all feel badly. Why don't they think of the animals welfare up front? Becasue of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. It's sick. I am an animal lover from way back...........and would only do good for any animal, because they have no voice, no choices who their owners become. They are what we make them, and then we use them, dispose of them and turn on them!! Quite honestly, I would rather be around animals than MOST people!! They are loving, understand and they give back 10fold!! Why do humans continue to abuse, necglect and mistreat them? WHY? WHY ? WHY? And we read stories every day where they give their lives for us?? I will never understand it.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

When the race began I was asked if I liked them and I said"No, I love horses and that is the reason I don't like the races". Their bodies with long legs are too fragile to be running that close together. Recipe for disaster! Then it happened. Sport of Kings you say? I believe it, as normal minds wouldn't think exploitation was fun. They used to put lions in with men and they loved that too.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

I did not watch the race, because of what happened in the Preakness two years ago. What happened to Eight Bells is another example of some humans trying to make money off of racing an animal. This is another tragic ending to a horse's life way to soon. It is all about money for these owners, not the horses. Some of these horses are raced before they are ready to race. They are given pain medicine so that they can run, even if they are not one hundred percent healthy. This is not right. I at one time watched the three main horse races at Kentucky, Maryland, and New york, but not anymore. It just tears me up inside to see a horse go down and then have to be destroyed.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

i agree with the above comments, why does the almighty dollar have to always be at the top of animal abuse. horses have been with man since time began. they are a beautiful creature and should be able to live their lives with other horses in a nice green pasture somewhere. greyhounds are mistreated in the same way. some years ago, they found numerous greyhounds killed in the desert in az. because their racing days were over. just another cruel deed by the hands of man. i have a friend who has Arabian horses, that she shows, they live in a beautiful place and are exercised daily in their pasture and housed safely and feed well, they love the attention of anyone who comes to see them. thats how a horse should live. racing is cruel and dangerous to the horse and whipping it to go faster is unnecessary. its a bad sport just about money. the gene pool obviously has a flaw with eight belles and barbaro man needs to get a clue.

Petitions

I agree with everything above me has said. I could post many additional comments as well. There are still many, many things we can do to prevent tragedies like this happening in the future. How? Why by signing a petition of course!

www.thepetitionsite.com is made up of petitions. Just one of the petitions made to prevent future injury in racehorses is on http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/inmemoryofeightbelles.

PETA is an animal organization working to change the rules of the Kentucky Derby, the race Eight Belles entered, as well as many others. Their petition is on http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/eight_belles_congress.

I hope you take the time to sign these petitions as well as tell your friends about them. This way, word spreads. If we all work together, we can make a difference.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

It's all about the money and not about the animal. As long as our investments perform and come out a head they have what they need but as soon as they are to broken to perform any more, they are no longer worth the time of day. What is the difference between running a horse into the ground or making a pitbull fight for their life? They both go down giving their all, doing what they are taught to do or what is natural, in the end they lay here in pain, hearts still racing not knowing what they did wrong. They do what is expectied of them, they give every ounce they have to give just to be sentanced to death, others, the lucky ones, after going through more training being taught that the only thing they know is no longer exceptable go to new homes in hope they have a better life. This is how we reward them for giving us everything thing they have to give.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

My husband and I were watching when Eight Bells crossed the finish line, I hate exploiting these beautiful animals. Our stomachs were sickened and I cried for such a sweet young little girl...in pain, lying on the ground....and dying.
I can't get over it...I wish all of the super rich heartless people (mostly rich white men) would see what they are putting these animals through. Just the day before Eighth Bells was in a differant race. I heard from a patient once, that race horses are definetly shot up with some kind of adrenaline....type drug.....Such tragedy must be avoided. What can we do?

Here's What We Can Do!

We should sign petitions, write letters, and change the rules of horse racing, as above message titled "Petitions" has said!

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

Eight Belles was still a "child" in horse years. Due to the greed of her owners, her expectations will never be achieved ! When you have financial "models" as the primary motivation for horse racing instead of long successful careers - that
shows a pretty pathetic image of so called "pedigreed" horse ownership ! Give me a strong, "common" horse any day
who can live a long healthy life !

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

My heart is broken for Eight Belles. I can't understand how the Jockey could just walk away.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

I sure hope this race people will wake up to see what they have done to this beautiful, poor horse. Eight Belles was not mature enough to race so many races & under so much stress, are these people stupid or something? Do you think you will whip your 3 year old kid to race for money? If you did, you will be in jail in no time! But it's OK to race a young horse under age?! it's really sick, I hope her owner will learn from this tragidy.

Re: The Tale of Eight Belles

Horses are such beautiful creatures.... man has taken them like so many other things and made them into something they can use to profit from..... how sad, she gave her life so someone else could make money, she ran her heart out.... my heart is sad because this beautiful creature that God created for our pleasure has sacrificed the ultimate sacrifice for someone elses gain!! He intrusted us with their care and provision... like children, they are dependent upon us when they're not living in the wild.... How sad that Eight Belles owner thought more of his pocketbook than he did the beautiful horse that was entrusted to his care!!