2008: Eventing's Year of Tragic Deaths Compares Only with Racing's Catastrophic On-Track Breakdowns
This video from ESPN shows how the sport of eventing was criticized by the media and even its own competitors and horse owners as horse after horse went down on the cross-country phase at events all over the world. ESPN's harsh treatment is part of an outcry heard round the world.
The loss of so many horses in a single year can only be compared to the horror of the public who watched as the filly Eight Belles broke both front legs just strides after the finish of the 2008 Kentucky Derby. Eventers should be happy that their sport is not as much in the public eye.
When I started this blog, I imagined all the good news stories I would write about research and new cures for horse diseases and lameness. Instead, I have written a dozen stories this year about horses killed while performing and riders riding ambulances instead of their horses. Someone switched the script; I became the death reporter in 2008.
Think safe thoughts for all the eventers and all the racehorses for 2009. Send me back to writing good news.
posted by Fran Jurga @ 12/29/2008
4 comments
4 Comments:
Fran, thanks for posting this video. Now that outside, non-horse media like ESPN and the New York Times are looking at the issue of safety in eventing, maybe something will get done.
It is unfathomable to me that when they went to the short format,the organizers did not examine how that affected the course times. These were never changed! I think that is a major issue.
But I disagree with ESPN's premise that the fences were made more difficult to attract spectators. No one in eventing seems to care if people are there to watch or not -- and those who are there are mostly horse people, even at Rolex.
I think the big problem is the ego of the course designers. In the long format, you had some tricky fences on course, but most were just natural, good for galloping. Today, that ratio is reversed, and all the designers talk about is "asking questions." Well, I think it's time to give horses fences they know the answers to ...
FRAN, WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT YOU. YOU DO A GREAT JOB REPORTING EVEN IF IT'S THE DEATH OF A GREAT HORSE ATHLETE. HORSE BREAKDOWN'S HAVE BECOME EPIDEMIC BUT GETTING IT OUT THERE IN PUBLIC COMMENT WILL HOPEFULLY BRING ABOUT MORE & BETTER WAYS TO SAFELY HANDLE HORSE'S. HERE'S TO A BETTER YEAR AHEAD.
Thanks for posting this!!! I have always heard bits and pieces of what has been going on in Eventing but never really knew the full story, but now I do so thanks :]
I found your Jurga Report while reviewing information on for a summary of race horse injuries and mortality. I began this review in 2007. Current scientific and veterinary research has revealed numerous factors related to the increasing reports of fatal race horse injuries including at major racing events. Modification of training techniques, training duration, intensity, training injury incidence, interim rest/therapy, and nutrition are components which will assist in the prevention of breakdowns and fatal race injuries.
One question which I pose, as someone from outside of the horseracing world is: what is the effect of nutritional supplements on race horse health and injury prevention. Examples: calcium, magnesium, and even high-dose glucosamine regimens. I have maintained my dogs on Veterinarian's Best Glucosamine regimen (http://VeterinariansBest.com) and have seen one of my dogs, who had the onset of severe dysplastic symptoms, have these symptoms resolve completely after a few months of the daily regimen.
What would be the effect on starting young race horses on vitamin and nutritional regimens while modifying training regimens to promote injury prevention?
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