the Sage By Nature blog

Of course, there are other kinds of sporting events with horses that have their fair share of crippled horses and abuses, and hopefully there will be an outcry in support of Eight Belles that will trickle over into those areas (ok, I am hoping for a gush but a trickle is better than nothing). And then there are all the horses that are not necessarily ridden too young nor whipped to perform, but they do not lead the ideal life that people are led to believe. Most people are shown the beautifully groomed horses and their huge box stalls – these horses in all areas and disciplines – and believe that they are pampered animals; what do you think the horse would say if you asked him?

Not all animal abuse is obvious – much of it is subtle and even goes unnoticed by the majority. One could say that it is abusive at some level – or at least an injustice – to put a horse in a box stall 12 or more hours a day. And its amazing how so many horses get “retired” as broodmares – have these people that do this never been pregnant and given birth themselves, not to mention raise a baby? Of course, these mares do not actually have to raise the baby for long since it will be taken away after a few months, and quite abruptly, as she will most likely be re-bred. I suppose if the horse is in great physical condition and happy and healthy, it is not such a terrible issue (except for the weaning – the examples I have seen of this have been heart wrenching and cruel in my eyes). I have seen too many mares, though, with physical conditions that take them out of the riding pool, forced to have baby after baby. One mare that I came across at a boarding facility a few years ago could barely stand – I believe that she had severe laminitis – yet she was bred to have one more baby before she was going to be put down. It sickened me, and I could barely look the owner in the eye the one time that I saw her; I wish that I had reported her to humane officials or said something to her. Neither of those things, unfortunately, would have probably done any good.