if people knew the abuse animals have for testing of all the products they use (razors, drugs, pet food) they probably would choose to ignore it because we only believe what we want to believe.
For one, a horse's leg bone won't set and heal like a human's so a regular kind of cast-like thing won't work (they mend bones with metal screws, or sometimes even amputate.) For two, it would have been extremely difficult for Eight Belles to do anything with both her front ankles broken -- standing about or even lying down -- and she would've been in constant pain were there anything that could've been done to help. Euthanasia was unfortunately the only option that didn't involve lots of time and pain. That it had to happen directly on the track, after coming in second, just compounds the drama and makes it even worse to think about.
Here's an article written in 2006 after Barbaro's accident, explaining things in further detail. There's all sorts of extra dangers involved, most notably infections in the wounds from track dirt and whatnot, as well as laminitis, a condition that occurs when a horse favors a leg and shifts it weight onto its other legs, wearing down the hooves
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A woman on a list I am on said horses can't lay down for long periods for healing and that the bones won't heal on them. Basically, had she only broken one she had a chance but she broke both front ones.
And not sure if you know but she was only 2 and a few Mom's on a homeschooling list I am on who breed and train horses say that horses leg joints aren't even fully matured at the age of 2 and that they should bump the age to racing horses to at least 5. The Derby basically allows the trainers to push horses that are far too young and not ready into racing for pure greed and entertainment.
I'm from here in Louisville and when I got more aware of using/abusing animals for entertainment/money I started hating the Derby and I am surrounded by those who love it. I know they will never ban this "sport" and someone even said horses actually love to run (understandable) and love doing it so I am at least hoping they will bump the age requirements up as it seems 2 is far too young for this type of sport.
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Here's an article written in 2006 after Barbaro's accident, explaining things in further detail. There's all sorts of extra dangers involved, most notably infections in the wounds from track dirt and whatnot, as well as laminitis, a condition that occurs when a horse favors a leg and shifts it weight onto its other legs, wearing down the hooves ( ... )
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And not sure if you know but she was only 2 and a few Mom's on a homeschooling list I am on who breed and train horses say that horses leg joints aren't even fully matured at the age of 2 and that they should bump the age to racing horses to at least 5. The Derby basically allows the trainers to push horses that are far too young and not ready into racing for pure greed and entertainment.
I'm from here in Louisville and when I got more aware of using/abusing animals for entertainment/money I started hating the Derby and I am surrounded by those who love it. I know they will never ban this "sport" and someone even said horses actually love to run (understandable) and love doing it so I am at least hoping they will bump the age requirements up as it seems 2 is far too young for this type of sport.
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