I can't go this week without joining in on the horse racing debate. It makes my blood boil when you hear comments that the sport should be banned. These misinformed, may I say seemingly uneducated people judging by their comments, have no baseline for such commentary. It’s pure dribble!
To mockingly suggest the industry’s trainers and strappers think they are Dr Dolittle as it is impossible to know how the horses are feeling, provides a true indication of the people we are dealing with. Those of us with any type of animal instinct know you can tell when a horse is happy, sad or playful. The further suggestion that we can't read a horse’s emotional and physical state, provides further weight to the misinformed populous we are talking about here - these people are just talking to be heard. They bring no statistical evidence to back up their views, nor no history or research on the industry. I doubt any of these critics can appreciate the individuals who are up at 3am to attend to the horses, nor back during the day to ice legs, massage, feed, walk, bond, wash, clean teeth or take to the beach. This is just the tip of the iceberg and this list could take up the whole blog. They also receive around-the-clock veterinary assistance to pinpoint any minor or major ailment as soon as humanly possible.
In a week when 2 horses passed away that ran in the Melbourne Cup, the chorus has been in full tune. The problem, as stated above, is that the comments have no substance. While we never want to see our beloved animals meet with such a horrible fate, the number of horses who die just running around in the thousands of paddocks across the country, far outweigh the absolute minority that are fatally injured in racing.
The horse racing industry has near to 300,000 people employed in it and a further 300,000 have a direct interest through ownership of the more than 35,000 registered thoroughbreds racing in Australia.
Throughout the year around 2700 races are run and only 35% of horses racing every year win a race.
The picture I am painting here is two-fold. Firstly, the industry is crucial to this country for employment purposes and economic development, it’s a part of the fabric and the psyche of the nation; there is no other country on the planet where a horse racing event stops the entire nation. Secondly and more importantly, only a small minority of owners make money out of the game. The love of the thoroughbred is the number one driving factor for ownership and the fact that only around a quarter of foals go on to actually win a race, bares testament to that. The others don't even make it to the track; or if so end up retiring without a win under their belt; yet owners are still happy to part with their hard earned because you become attached and gain satisfaction from providing care for our four-legged friends.
I also know in retirement for those horses who never actually reach the track, the best possible place is found for them. Career options like becoming a hack, dressage or even clerk of the course horses are now becoming the favourable options.
To those who want to shoot off their mouths with propaganda I can only ask you one question. Why?
Have you got too much time on your hands? If so use it more wisely and research before coming out with outlandish comments.
Use it to get along to a stable and see the care these horses receive.
Use it to get to a stable to see the bond these animals form with their strappers.
Use it to see the around-the-clock veterinary attention they get.
But please. oh please don't use it to just shoot off your mouth about clearly things you don’t, or won't understand about the Sport of Kings.
The Sport of Kings is in reference to the top-line thoroughbreds in our presence at every race meeting .. that is how they are treated in the stables across the country, like royalty!
Have a great week.
Cheers
Andrew