Sports

Horse Collapses and Dies After Winning $150K Race

Horse Arcadius Dies After Winning $150K Iroquois Steeplechase Race

Jockey Brian Crowley rides Arcadius during the Iroquois Steeplechase on Saturday just before the horse collapsed and died. (Image source: The Tennessean)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Arcadius collapsed and died as he was being cooled down after winning the $150,000 Iroquois Steeplechase at Percy Warner Park on Saturday.

The 8-year-old gelding collapsed at a station placed just beyond the finish line of the 3-mile race.

Dr. Marty McInturff, one of five official veterinarians on the course, said Arcadius succumbed from “a heart attack” and a possible aneurysm. The results of a necropsy examination are expected Monday at the earliest.

The bay gelding raced for the Hudson River Farm of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., real estate executive Edward Swyer and Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard. Arcadius was making his second start this season and the 21st of his career dating to 2008. During that time, he won six races, including the $100,000 Helen Haskell Simpson at Monmouth Park in 2010.

The $90,000 winner‘s share of the Iroquois purse raised Arcadius’ career earnings past $300,000.

Horse Arcadius Dies After Winning $150K Iroquois Steeplechase Race

Attendants cool Arcadius down following his collapse. (Image source: The Tennessean)

Arcadius prepped for his start in the Iroquois with a race on the flat last month in Charlotte, N.C.

“The horse ran a valiant race,” Sheppard said. “And, it’s not like he was struggling during the race. The rider wasn’t aggressive with his whip. After he crossed the finish line, I was talking to the riders of other horses that I had in the race. I looked over and saw that he was down.”

Horse Arcadius Dies After Winning $150K Iroquois Steeplechase Race

Jockey Brian Crowley (Image source: The Tennessean)

Sheppard said weather and race conditions had nothing to do with the horse’s death.

“The temperature was 67 degrees on the thermometer in my car, and it was drizzling a little bit,” Sheppard said. “The course was firm but in excellent condition.”

Arcadius raced a field of five rivals in the most prestigious race on the National Steeplechase Association’s Spring calendar. He raced close to the pace set by Tax Ruling, the two-time defending champ of this event.

Jockey Brian Crowley, riding Arcadius for the fifth consecutive time, sent the gelding after the leader around the far turn and took the lead at the 18th of 20 national hurdles on the course.

Arcadius was challenged at the final hurdle by Divine Fortune and amateur rider Darren Nagle. Those two dueled down the homestretch with Arcadius getting home one length in front of Divine Fortune. Nationbuilder and Danielle Hodsdon were 12 3/4 lengths back in third.

“The horse ran a beautiful race,” McInturff said. “When he went down, we got to him very quickly and administered medications and an IV. But, his blood pressure dropped very rapidly and we couldn’t save him.”

For more pictures from the Tennessean, click here.

Comments (101)

1 2
  • NickyLouse
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 2:34pm

    Almost every race horse is given lasix for performance enhancement due to the fact that they are trained to the point of causing their lungs to bleed. Lasix is known to be a risk because it is a diuretic.

    Report Post » NickyLouse  
    • PATTY HENRY
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 5:39pm

      IF you can prove it, I say we stop horse racing. Let the trainers race instead.

      Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
    • Ghandi was a Republican
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 5:48pm

      This could be a heat valve or cyst like Swale the week after winning the Derby. Horses absolutely love to run. That is what they are built for. It is horse racing that maintains s a place for these remarkable animals, where they might otherwise be yesterday’s trash.
      Does anyone really think that someone spends big money for a Horse and thousands a Month to keep it room, boarded and trained and then beat the tar out of it? Not a chance. Lasix is a diuretic and used to stop bleeding in the lungs but it is no big deal. Horses are on it all the time. They are well taken care of after a race, spoiled even. Watered, rubbed down, Walked out, fed well. “Whips” are nothing but an attention getter to keep the horse focused away from a cheering crowd. They are also a message to go all out. This is about a 300 yard affair as the horses are merely jockeyed for position and reserved for the kick at the end.

      Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
    • PATTY HENRY
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 6:20pm

      @ Ghandi was a REPUBLICAN: I like your answers. You must be a great Horse person. I feel better. I love the heart of horses that we see when they are racing. Thanks.

      Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 7:15pm

      Racing… is a Human Concept… as is Betting and Winning… and Not Natural or of Nature!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • R and K
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:40pm

      Did you know the majority, 70% and above, of ALL horses who do running events have some bleeding in the lungs. Barrel horses, reining horses, race horses, all. Some researchers think, because of the common location of the bleeding, that it could be caused by the horse’s internal organs bumping back and forth against the lungs as the horse gallops.

      Report Post »  
    • techengineer11
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 10:57pm

      Awful to see.

      Report Post » techengineer11  
    • Hick83
      Posted on May 14, 2012 at 9:54am

      @ LUKERW… Horses do instinctively race. I had 4 horses growing up that were kept in a pasture just outside my bedroom window. I used to watch them race each other around that pasture all the time while doing homework. At night, when the was a full moon, I would fall asleep to the pounding of their hooves as they raced each other. It is to establish dominance and a pecking order. Sometimes bad things happens even when the most amount of precaution is taken.

      Winning is also natural in nature. How do Lions establish a pride. They win the fight with the challenging male… You can’t govern everything. Enjoy your freedom and let me enjoy mine!

      Report Post »  
  • COFemale
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 2:14pm

    This is a tragic ending. Generally, owners and jockeys will have knowledge of any medical issues. Was this brought on my natural causes or un-natural causes. Don’t you think it is odd that last week we had a worker at the Kentucky Derby killed. What if he walked in on someone injecting drugs into a horse or horses. Now we have this horse drop dead on a rather cool day? I hope they do an autopsy on the horse.

    Report Post » COFemale  
    • Ghandi was a Republican
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 5:55pm

      These horses are tested and disqualified right after the race. This isn’t happening in a race that a trainer is trying to win. he will be suspended or worse. A horse race is basically a stamina affair and whoever has the most at the end in a given class will win. The front end in the stretch is actually backing up more than the horses behind are catching them. This is called ‘closing’..

      Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
    • R and K
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:46pm

      No, I don’t think a man being murdered at Churchill Downs is odd. There isn’t anything protective about a barn area that would prevent a crime from occurring. Murders happen anywhere and everywhere.

      A horse dying of a heart attack, or aneurism, isn’t odd either. It happens. Would you find it odd if it were the jockey who suffered the attack instead?

      Report Post »  
  • gr8t2bfree
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 2:12pm

    Disgusting sport!

    Report Post » gr8t2bfree  
    • BanArtificialColors
      Posted on May 14, 2012 at 3:28am

      Hey, folks who think horse racing is only a human concept. I beg to differ. I’ve been on many horses — including my own quarterhorse — that you better hold on tight if they sense or hear a horse approaching from behind, because they’re in it for the race INSTANTLY. My quarterhorse almost ran out from underneath me on one occasion!

      Report Post »  
  • Apple Bite
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 1:52pm

    But the irony of seeing a Bank of America sponsorship banner in that picture….

    Report Post » Apple Bite  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 1:49pm

    …
    Horse racing is one of the worst forms of animal abuse.

    Report Post »  
    • walex
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 8:28pm

      Wow, really? The worst? Starved, beaten, put in dog fights or tortured? Horse racing is the worst? What about when lions pull down a gazelle and tear it’s throat out and eats it alive? How about that? My cat sure like to play with his birds before he finally eats them.

      Report Post »  
    • TrueSoundsOfLiberty
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:02pm

      @Walex, it’s hardly the same comparing the natural hunting and killing process to abuses handed out by man.

      @Lead, I agree that horse racing is barbaric and is just as bad as the torture inflicted upon rodeo and circus animals.

      Report Post » TrueSoundsOfLiberty  
    • R and K
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:47pm

      Race horses are better cared for than most kids.

      Report Post »  
    • R and K
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:52pm

      I don’t know. The race horses I see are slick and shining with health. They have the best feed, their bed changed every day, their feet cleaned daily, hair combed,

      Contrast their lives with a horse standing out in a pasture month after month, getting eaten alive by flies in the summer, and going hungry, wet and cold in the winter, with no attention from their humans.

      There are far more cruel things for a horse to do than working for a living like race horses do.

      Report Post »  
  • trinklefinder
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 1:30pm

    I keep reading people go on about how these animals could conceivably be running in the wild from a predator and drop dead. If it happens that way fine, but when a horse has a heart attack because he’s been run harder than his body can take all for money that is not fine. I get it, it was likely unpreventable, but The Bible tells us a righteous man regards the life of his animal. If the owner/investor really cared for this horse then wouldn’t his vet of known about his pulmonary issues? I would think, with so much money potentially involved, they would be aware of his medical issues.

    Report Post » trinklefinder  
    • R and K
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:58pm

      There would be no prior knowledge of an upcoming cardiac event like this. If there had been, the horse would not have been running. What would be the point in running a horse with a compromised heart? Horsemen aren’t that stupid.

      Think.

      Report Post »  
  • CatherineAnn
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 12:29pm

    That horse was a true champion, gave his all to the very end. Lucky for the rider he made it and didn’t go down in the race. Some horses have the heart to put forth all they have even if it kills them.

    Report Post » CatherineAnn  
    • muffythetuffy
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 12:54pm

      Adrenaline is known to do that to horses. Lets just move on.

      Report Post »  
    • myarchie
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 4:38pm

      I have a friend whose stallion had a heart attack and died while breeding a mare. Maybe we shouldn’t let our stallions breed mares. Some horses are born athletes and LOVE what thay are doing. I had had horse who would jump anything just for the fun of it. After we retired him, he would occasionally show signs of depression. One run over a hunt course would usually solve the problem for a fair amount of time. Before blaming the death on the owner or trainer, they should find out if there were any indications that the horse was not in condition to race or had been improperly medicated. I hope that nobody stops me from riding and jumping my horse just because I am getting older. I’ll let people know when I am ready to stop riding. We had a TB dressage mare that was depressed and lifeless when I met her at the age of 35. One day I took her for a ride just to see what she knew. She gave me a wonderful ride, shoulder-in, extended trot, and just floated around the arena. She was always excited to see me come with a saddle. When day when she was 36, she gave me the best ride of my life. I cooled her out, rubbed her down with linament and put her away. She seemed fine. Two days later I was called to the stable because Ruth was not well. We sat with her most of the night. She leaned in my arms. By morning she was dead at the the age of 36. She died without ever knowing she was old, doing what she loved most.

      Report Post »  
    • PATTY HENRY
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 6:18pm

      @ MYARCHIE beautiful. Animals rule. They live. the only caveat I’d put there is drugs – performance drugs…should be outlawed everywhere, for everything. Sorry about RUTH.
      I know there are animals in Heaven because Jesus comes back riding a big white horse, and you know that there are never horses riding round that there aren’t dogs barking at their heels, and then birds flying over head. The older I get, the more I know that this life is ‘just a test’ (I fail it daily) but that our future, if we trust GOD is more than we could ever expect joy-wise. Then like others I go through the “it’s too good to be true” and then catch myself and remember this: There is so much EVIL in the WORLD that must mean there is GOOD somewhere. Every time I begin to doubt Heaven, I look at the evil round us here and I’m re-born with excitement!! another way to put it: IF we just ‘evolved from an explosion that no one knows how THAT happened…then horses and dogs et al would be a vindictive and mean as most people. They aren’t so we KNOW they were created. WE are because we were given free choice and Satan is roamin’ around us day and night whispering garbage in our ears. Keeping our focus on GOD is the only way we can make it out…and reading stories about wonderful creations like RUTH. :)

      Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
  • TheCoffinMaker
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 12:28pm

    This is no different than ****-fighting.

    Report Post » TheCoffinMaker  
    • TheCoffinMaker
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 12:31pm

      OK Blaze, starts with a “c” and ends with a “k”

      Report Post » TheCoffinMaker  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 12:58pm

      Even though there is no comparision, unless you are a complete idiot, it is time to bring back cockfighting. I cannot believe that the PETA-type idiots got it outlawed to start with.

      Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
    • TheCoffinMaker
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 4:14pm

      Yeah, it hasn’t been a month ago when pictures of horse carcasses were thrown near a dumpster when they outlived their usefulness.

      Report Post » TheCoffinMaker  
  • UnreconstructedLibertarian
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 12:16pm

    I am 43 and I’m physically worn out. By the logic of the HSUS and PETA folks here, I have been engaged in a barbaric enterprize that has resulted in the destruction of my “beautiful intelligence” and premature physical degradation.

    What have I been doing? – feeding your lazy asses. Vegan, Carnivore, and Omnivore alike without predjudice.

    How barbaric is it in comparison between my farming and the lot of you killing each other for anything to eat or drink? How about a soldier guarding your freedom?

    One can substitute any productive vocation with my own – and there will be critics who claim “Barbarity” in its endeavor. Yet, they depend on that endeavor to keep their own place of ease and pleasant vocation.

    You need to shut the hell up, and honor this horse for his accomplishments. He gave his all doing that which he was destined to do – we should all be that dedicated to whatever it is we do – to the last full measure. His legacy will be more athletic horses in generations to come, which might just save your life. Better pleasure horses not prone to trip up on the trail and kill you, better search horses that might find you in an emergency, and braver horses in police service who see duty before safety in the execution of their service.

    This horse exemplifed qualities that I frankly see disappearing from the human race, and that I find inspiring – to the point I’m more resolved to do what I do best, even if my body does finally fail me.

    Report Post » UnreconstructedLibertarian  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:57am

    Geldings are “fixed”, no putting them out to stud. Watch some videos on wild horses, you will see them running on trecherous ground, almost flying, so beatifull, but running because they want to. God granted them speed to run from predators, brains so they could be partners to men, and stubborness to not do things they aren’t sure they can see are safe for them. They are a gift to mankind, and love to show off. Complicated animals that for all their large bodies, they have delicate legs. they are great animals, but just like people they die without rhyme or reason of diseases we hae too. Just like us, when it’s their time it just is. nothing bad was done here. My condolences to whoever cared for this horse.

    Report Post »  
  • megarobryder
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:38am

    This horse was a great athelete doing what he was bred and trained to do. They are very nobel and give their all. Some people , that don’t understand. say they are worked and ran for money…..They have not sat in the pen with one or pasture and comuncated with one or/ more. It is their nature to run & jump. It is also their nature to seek companionship. Life in the wild for them is far more tougher,,many have exploded their hearts running from a predator or battling for territory with another stud. Our nobel BLM rounds them up and shoots them. Or allows them to over populate to the point that they die of starvation and disease. So understand the pony before you go to commenting on stuff that is way outa your league.

    Report Post »  
  • woodcellar
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:26am

    Most horse live to be 25 or 30 years old. The oldest I know of die at 53. So an 8 yuear old is more like a 18 to 20 year old human. The like track stars they. They are fast when they are younger and stronger and have the most endurance when the a little older, And start going the other way at middle age. Just like us.

    Report Post »  
  • lildeb56
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 10:59am

    I don’t follow horse racing that much, but isn’t 8 years a little old for any horse to be racing?

    Report Post » lildeb56  
    • janedough1
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 12:13pm

      Not for a steeplechaser. There are a lot of factors in play in it being old for a flat race horse, although you will sometimes see a flat racer this old, Forego and John Henry come quickly to mind. Stud fees are so high that the colts get retired quickly to make more money off them. Mare have a short reproductive life, so they retire quickly as well. Geldings have no money in breeding, so like John Henry and Forego, they will sometimes keep racing if they are sound, but speed plays a factor in wearing their legs down. Steeplechasers don’t command big fees at stud, so no pressure to get them to the shed. This type of racing is also slower, and skill is a factor, so they tend to keep improving with age. It might take a tick of their speed, but it is replaced by jumping skill and racing savvy. Each steeplechase course is different, so they don’t get bored. There was an English horse many years ago who won races every year until he was 18. This is just one of those unfortunate things that happens to athletes, including human athletes, and sometimes proves to be a congenital weakness that would have killed them sooner if they had not been athletes. Michael Phelps is a great case in point. Marfan’s syndrome causes heart valve problems that usually cause sufferers to die in their fifties, but his phenomenal prowess as an athlete may actually protect his heart and give him a longer life, or it could just cause him to drop after a race one day.

      Report Post »  
  • G-WHIZ
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 10:58am

    This is what happens to the ultra-highly-strung, and way over driven …something is going to “blow”-out!! In a race-car , tis the engine or transmition….in the poor race-horse, it couuld be a blown-artery, or exploded-heart. The horse is luckey..he/she won’t be forced to give 110% again. All this for the sake of [only money] and fame…POOF! and a beautiful, intelligent being is gone. Some are so broken they can’t be “used” again, and even “out-to-pasture” is pain for the rest of their life(such as it is)…only “saved” like a broken-used-car, for parts(sperm), only.

    Report Post »  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:16am

      Shut Up!!! Those horses love racing. Do you think any racer would give up their racing lifestyle if they knew in advance it was going to kill or maim them? NO they wouldn’t. People like you make me want to puke. You act like you know horses but all you know is Disney.

      Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
    • janedough1
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 12:15pm

      Poor little ignorant PETA mouthpiece. You clearly have never been closer to a horse than ten feet. If you had, you‘d know that it is absolutely impossible to force a 1200 pound animal to do anything it doesn’t want to do.

      Report Post »  
    • R and K
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 10:07pm

      So true, JaneDough! I’d rather have a slow horse with the desire to win, than a fast one that doesn’t care. A talented horse with no desire breaks your heart!

      Report Post »  
  • loveoursoldiers
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 10:35am

    It is sad though. I guess I am a tree hugger at heart. Do I eat meat? The older I get the less meat I eat. I have been convinced there is a natural food chain. But we are not cave people anymore.
    Anyway.. I have a hard time when innocents of any kind are mistreated. I know that horses “love to run’ so that satisfies me. Humans do die suddenly of heart attackes and aneurysms.
    My thoughts are evolving…… or am I flip’flopping?
    Still.. it is sad.

    Report Post » loveoursoldiers  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 10:55am

      @LOVE I am an animal lover also.. I quit eating meat with the exception of fish..a long time ago..and the only time I ever went fishing..I had the person who took me fishing throw the fish back..It saddens me that this beautiful horse collapsed..Obviously his heart was overtaxed..I do wonder if there will be an autopsy ordered on this animal..I wonder if drug testing is done before the races or after..

      Report Post »  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:18am

      CLOWNS….I would eat that freaking horse.

      Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:59am

      @NOTACRAZY..Yes Crazy..I am sure that you would..you would also be a survivor in a plane crash where you could exist on the dead passengers…for fear of starving to death..can’t wait for that next McDonalds cheeseburger..lol

      Report Post »  
    • Bryan B
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 12:12pm

      They will call over a Butcher, and send the meat over to the local Food Bank, nothing will go to waste.

      I have had horse a few times from the Food Bank….

      Report Post » Bryan B  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 1:12pm

      @Ashes…As a matter of fact I would if it came down to that. Do you know why that soccer team did that, and why the Donner Party did that, and why other similar parties have done that? REALITY! (That is something PETA types cannot comprehend) They had to survive and the reality is that if they did not do what, even to them, was disgusting beyond belief they would have all perished. That is why Christ said to drink of his blood and eat of his flesh. It was symbolic, of course, but that is what we must do to survive.

      Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
  • supressorgrid
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 10:34am

    Any one for filly minion? Horsederves? Sweep steaks?

    Report Post »  
  • Leader1776
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 10:29am

    George Bush did it!

    Report Post » Leader1776  
  • Eric_The_Red_State
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 10:21am

    Casey Anthony strikes again!!!!

    Report Post » Eric_The_Red_State  
  • tommyr
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 10:09am

    You stupid animal lovers have lost your minds. People have been riding horses forever. It was at tops seventy five degrees and overcast all day long in Nashville yesterday. Sometimes horses just die. Get over it for crissakes.

    Report Post »  
    • macpappy
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 10:27am

      So, loving animals is stupid? I guess you just showed us the limits of your intelligence, and empathy.

      Report Post » macpappy  
    • MatthewChapter24
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:16am

      Yes, people have been riding horses “forever”, but let’s not forget that mankind has been playing God by messing with the natural breeding process with racehorses. No matter how wild horses originally were, they were not designed to run hard races like this periodically. And a racehorse’s life is anything but wild and natural.

      Have a heart.

      Report Post »  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:28am

      Hey SappyPappy…Why don’t you intentionally miss the point? There is a huge difference between being a Disney propagana brainwashed PETA idiot and being someone else with a brain.

      Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
    • tommyr
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:51am

      Matthew, did not these horses run hard periodically when being chased by a cougar out in the wild? Seems to me that running to save one’s ass might be a tad more stressful.

      Report Post »  
  • macpappy
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:51am

    What frigging hyprocrocy. Run the beast to death, then put a big show of caring for the animal. Were it not for the investment the owner has in this animal I am sure no would have cared that it died

    Report Post » macpappy  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:07am

      “Big Show” .. do you have any idea how these animals are treated? Yes an “investment” and as such they are cared for like other animals only dream of. Sad that this horse died .. but that is life. It could have died anyway .. you understand that you don’t have to be running or anything else for a heart attack or aneurysm ?

      Report Post »  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:30am

      Yeah, they could have just strapped him to the coal wagon and worked him 12 hours a day for those 8 years…

      It was a horse…grow up people…

      Report Post »  
    • R and K
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 10:12pm

      You are so wrong.

      Report Post »  
  • 80mesh
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:39am

    send it to the DNC and debby water trough schlutz …they are good at beating dead horses

    Report Post » 80mesh  
  • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:30am

    Reminds me of the story about a guy who died atop his wife making wild and passionate….

    I’m supposing he was very happy and went out with a BANG!

    Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
  • kcinco
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:25am

    I am a horse owner and have done a little bit of showing (though not this type of event). I know horses are trained to run this type of event. However, they experience the stress of performance, just like humans do. They can’t express it like humans do though. I think it is asking too much of them. People who don’t know anything about horses think they are just dumb animals. They are not dumb by any means. You add the mental effects of stress with the stress of extreme physical exertion and you’ve got a recipe for this kind of tragedy.

    Report Post » kcinco  
    • Annie Fields
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:47am

      I don’t usually cry at stories like this, but I am weeping as I type this… My daughters ride, so I know horses. I’ve been around them for a decade now. These animals don’t want anything but to be loved. They will do ANYTHING for an owner they have bonded with (though they are famously stubborn about some things, I know.)

      This horse died doing what he thought he was supposed to do for his owner, whom he loved – or at least his groom, or handler, or trainer whom he loved.

      The poor precious baby. It’s heartbreaking, truly…

      This is a BARBARIC sport. That at what they do to those poor animals in rodeos.

      HOW can we DO this? How? God…

      So sad…

      Report Post » Annie Fields  
    • lildeb56
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:01am

      Isn’t 8 years a bit old for a horse to be racing, though? I don’t know much about horse racing, but with the winnings this gelding had, shouldn‘t’ he have been put out to stud? Racing him into his old age, in my uneducated mind, is not a good thing.

      Report Post » lildeb56  
    • Collbuzz
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:18am

      I agree, as I had a brief Eventing career. The horses do feel stress, but they also like the competetion. This horse was only 8 and I am certain well cared for and checked for soundness before the race. There was another unforeseen heart condition and the poor horse succomed to it. Sad.

      Report Post »  
  • On The Bayou
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:24am

    I guess we all know the next law will be against horse racing/cruel and unusual punishment

    Report Post » On The Bayou  
    • Inlightofthings
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:36am

      I dunno…football seems to be high on the list of soon to be outlawed sports.

      Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:18am

    Sad…Very expensive dog food.

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:23am

      Or glue

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • IhaveOneToo
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:29am

      It’s always about money. Yes, they love their horses. Who wouldn’t? But pasture life and a little work is what they were made for. It’s all about money.

      Report Post »  
    • tommyr
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 10:16am

      According to IHAVEONETOO, both horses and Obama voters are entitled to a similar lifestyle.

      Report Post »  
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