Make no bones about it, radical animal rights supporters are on the rampage and have declared their own personal war against all animal industries. The horse industry in our beloved United States is not at all what is used to be; a once thriving, multi-faceted business has now dwindled down to a mere figment of the imagination. Now, among many other horse related practices such as carriage rides and even so much as the use of horse shoes, we must face the movement to end all horse racing.
From below:
“Here, though, I want to be crystal clear on the change we seek (and perhaps aid in the planning of future “symposiums”). There is no “middle ground” to be had. We are not looking for a mere seat at the table or to “change the face of the sport”; we want the table gone, the “sport” erased. No compromise, no reform – an end to horseracing, pure and simple. And I can save them even more time. Our “tactics” are neither elaborate nor, for that matter, even plural. In this fight, we wield but one, simple tool: education. Impart knowledge; let compassion and conscience take it from there.”
There you have it in plain English. An unwavering, fervent ideology demanding for the end of the human-animal relationship. This will continue to be eroded as time passes and more and more legislators fall under the spell of generous campaign donations and their constituency is bombarded with anti-animal media.
Eva Wallace
The Cavalry Group Team
By Nicole M Arciello on November 2, 2016 at 2:54 PM
As an animal-rights activist, I organize protests and demonstrations to educate the public about the suffering and exploitation of animals for human gain (entertainment, gambling, clothing). Our group held five demonstrations at Saratoga Race Course this past summer, with over 65 activists in attendance. We also supported activists at Del Mar in California.
Every time I protest I see hearts and minds opening, people thinking more deeply about our relationship with animals. That is why I share here today’s post from Horseracing Wrongs, an organization working to end the cruel horseracing industry. One that I am very proud to be a part of.
We are in the next social justice movement. We will succeed as past movements have. For the animals.
Moral Progress Cannot Be Stopped
By Patrick Battuello, Horseracing Wrongs
Racing is set to hold the latest in what feels like an endless stream of take-stock-of-our-industry conferences this December in Arizona. The “Global Symposium on Racing & Gaming” will feature the usual fare – “cultivating customer loyalty,” finding “new wagering products” to help “grow the sport,” improving “medication and substance integrity,” etc. – but one item on the docket stands out as not just atypical for events like this but downright game-changing. On the final day, comes this:
The Animal Rights Agenda: An Issue That Can No Longer Be Ignored
Animal rights protesters were found in large numbers outside racing’s two most iconic tracks this summer, Saratoga and Del Mar, and they aren’t going away. Is there any middle ground racing can find with these groups? Panelists with years of experience dealing with these types of groups will enlighten the audience of tactics these organizations use, some successful campaigns used against them as well as the animal rights groups successes that have fundamentally changed the way a number of animal industries operate. Now is the time for racing to seriously consider how the actions of these groups may forever change the face of the sport.
Remarkable. Truly remarkable. First, the obvious: We’re winning; the above is proof-positive. By our numbers, which we plan on growing exponentially next summer, through unrelenting exposure, we have compelled them to confront us – to put us on the agenda. (And, not so gently nudged the media: Because our protests practically demanded coverage, for the first time in 150 years the killing at “iconic” Saratoga received more than a mere glossing over.) From here, as any student of the great social-justice movements can tell you, the writing is on the wall. You see, these things don’t just fade away; they get stronger and stronger and stronger, until – change.
Here, though, I want to be crystal clear on the change we seek (and perhaps aid in the planning of future “symposiums”). There is no “middle ground” to be had. We are not looking for a mere seat at the table or to “change the face of the sport”; we want the table gone, the “sport” erased. No compromise, no reform – an end to horseracing, pure and simple. And I can save them even more time. Our “tactics” are neither elaborate nor, for that matter, even plural. In this fight, we wield but one, simple tool: education. Impart knowledge; let compassion and conscience take it from there.
Finally, I almost find it astounding that they would make public their plan to identify “campaigns” to use against us. Insulting, really, as if we’re not sophisticated enough to do anything more than hold placards, incapable of monitoring their activities. Or maybe they just don’t care. Maybe the threat we pose, though they concede as real, does not rise to some requisite level of seriousness that would warrant more secrecy. No matter, the upshot remains the same. Attempts to discredit, to smear, to muddle our message, to repackage their century-old lie of a message – horseracing is a sport, the horses “athletes” – will not work, for we are smart; we are organized; but above all, we have the facts – the truth – on our side. And truth, folks, is irrepressible.
Yes, sensibilities in regard to animals are changing: Ringling has retired its elephants; SeaWorld is phasing-out its orcas; “vegan” is no longer an alien word. Is it so hard, then, to imagine a world where horses are no longer beaten, maimed, and killed for $2 bets? I think not. And judging by the above, I believe the racing people can see it, too.
I was a former owner/trainer of racehorses. I grew up in the industry.
I unequivocally bought into the delusion that the racehorses are treated like “royally.”
When I finally came to my senses, I realized that treated a racehorse “royally” just means providing the basics that any horse owner should provide such as food, bedding, grooming, vet care when needed.
Don’t kid yourself, there isn’t anything special that they do to these racehorses.
They just want you to think that.
Oh, wait – there is something they do that makes them unique.
They intensely confine a large racehorse (who requires constant movement to keep healthy) in a box stall (in most cases the size of a large bathroom) for 23 hours a day, 7 days a week.
As they stand in that box stall they are turned into a pin cushion for the relentless drug cocktails that are administered. (Refer to PETA undercover video of Trainer Steve Asmussen), they are injected into their joints, muscles, and veins to gain optimum performance, to mask chronic issues, to temporarily relieve pain in order to fill races, and increase wagering profits.
Another “unique” aspect to this antiquated business model is that the racehorses RARELY get a soft landing after they have generated BILLIONS in profit.
The industry funded aftercare programs are another public relations stunt as they parade the most recent racehorse out front of their retirement home.
Nevertheless, this industry breeds, on average, 30,000+ racehorses per year, specifically bred to fill races, and generate profits.
When they can no longer fill a race and generate a profit they quickly become a liability that needs to be dumped.
It’s estimated that about 10% get homes. This is a raw estimation as it’s impossible to gauge.
However, about 30% end up at the slaughterhouse. This is a very conservative estimate as most paperwork for the slaughterhouse is altered to protect the connections of racehorses who are directly responsible for the dumping. These figures are found in more detail at the Canadian Coalition for Horse Slaughter and the Canadian Department of Agriculture.
During their brief career, about 3 years old and their done, they come off the track full of issues.
Many have been found with serious pre-existing issues that lots of money will only address via proper vet care that they have been denied during their racing careers.
Some of these racehorses have made hundreds of thousands of dollars only to be dumped by a callous, non-compassionate industry that cares little or nothing about these racehorses after they are done filling races for them.
The environmental disaster of a slaughterhouse has been evidenced on many occasions including the massive “blood ponds” that continuously seep into the ground water.
From start to finish this antiquated business model is full of pain, and suffering for both the equine and human element although the equine is forced into slavery with no choice really.
The most important way to shut this industry down is to cut-off the financing so STOP watching and wagering on horse races. If you want to gamble go to a casino that doesn’t have LIVE racing. The second most important route is to support and pass DECOUPLING. Somehow the horse racing industry convinced local governments to hand over BILLIONS in casino profits just by using their facilities. I suppose a rental fee was not even considered which would have amounted to much less money being handed over to this industry. Moreover, many casino venues are forced to provide a minimum number of LIVE race days. This is mandatory for these casinos who no longer want nothing to do with horse racing, but are forced to keep supporting it. This amounts to BILLIONS in profits going to support legitimized animal cruelty instead of much needed community projects like education, healthcare, infrastructure. Furthermore, this industry is a corruption pit and supports the rogue element of society. It’s bad all around, and has no place in the 21st century. It needs to shut down.