Synchronized riden by Tony McCoy, centre, wearing green silks with yellow bands, falls after jumping Becher's Brook. (Photo: AP/Scott Heppell)
Last update 8:33 pm
The Daily Telegraph reports:
It is the second time in two years that two horses have died in the Grand National. The deaths will reignite the controversy surrounding the sport.
Millions of television viewers saw Gold Cup winner Synchronised and According to Pete fall at the sixth fence – Becher’s Brook.
It came after Jockey Tony McCoy had earlier been unseated by Synchronised, this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, in the moments leading up to the start of the race.
The incident packed 165th Grand National was one of the most dramatic in history. Only fifteen of the 40 runners who started the race managed to finish.
THE HORSE KNOWS BEST
Synchronised did not want to race today. The start was delayed when he unseated jockey Tony McCoy. Or was it the hijinks of an excited racehorse? Perhaps. Race organizers said Synchronised was “thoroughly checked” by a veterinarian before allowing him to line up in the 40-horse field.
When I hear reports like these, I always think of Barbaro breaking through the gates at Pimlico, and veterinarians allowed him to run anyway. After all, a Triple Crown was on the line (see video). The same with the horses who were killed in the re-running of the Dubai Gold Cup. They were “thoroughly checked” and allowed to race again.
Then there is the beautiful and tragic George Washington who had to be literally dragged out to race in the Breeders’ Cup in the slop at Monmouth. He did not want to race that day either. Gorgeous George died minutes later when he was put down; his leg shattered (see images).
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:: Tragedy and insensitivity overshadow Grand National as two horses die >>
Can some one please tell me why the horses are shot in the head and killed due to a fracture ?
Laura, the reason why people have not responded, is it is not a simple, short answer. I will try to make it as brief as I can.
There are a number of reasons why owners choose to euthanize horses who suffer severe injuries to their legs. Primarily, it’s a quality of life issue for the injured horse, since a broken leg can take months to heal even under the best of circumstances. Besides this, breaks are often prone to a number of complications, including a loss of circulation in the leg, sores from immobilizing slings, and inflammation. Owners also have to consider the cost of treating a break, which is generally very expensive.
Horses do not react to crippling injuries the same way their human owners might. A person with a broken leg can remain immobile or in traction for weeks following the injury. A horse, on the other hand, is naturally compelled to move freely at all times. The idea of extended stall rest is completely counterintuitive to a horse bred for motion, but in the right scenario can be accomplished.
When a horse suffers a broken leg, the treatment regimen is often complicated and expensive. Only the youngest and healthiest horses are considered for the most aggressive therapies, such as cold laser treatments, therapeutic ultrasound or active magnetic field therapy. Even if a horse can be tranquilized while a broken leg heals, he cannot survive the weeks or months of relative immobility. Also, a horse feeling trapped in a cramped stall tends to tap dance, which can easily aggravate the original broken leg.
Horses are typically euthanized two ways: gunshot by a veterinarian or other skilled, qualified person; or by lethal injection. A sedative is normally given first before the lethal injection is administered.
It is not just about fractured legs. The horse is euthanized if he or she has sustained a broken shoulder, neck or back. These are considered fatal injuries.
In sporting events, normally a portable screen is placed around the injured horse, because it is too painful or dangerous to move them, and keep the viewing public from seeing the distressing event. The horse is then euthanized as described above. If the horse can be moved, they are taken by an equine ambulance or other suitable vehicle, examined by medical professionals who then consult the horse’s connections, and a decision is made on whether to try to save the horse or put him down.
This is not all there is to it, but it is a start.
Laura,
I have a 19 hands tall hunter. If he fractured a leg, to keep him immobilised while it healed would be too distressing for him and would drive him mad with frustration. I believe a lethal injection is usually administered these days.
The question I would ask is why Synchronised was entered in the first place as he is not a good jumper as was commented on in the morning line and before the race.
That is a very good question. I was also very
surprised to see such a great horse in the G.a. National line up. The owners and trainers first comments were reported in the Racing Post.
Synchronised is in the list of six horses who may be voted for as jump horse of the year in the same paper online.
oted
Depending on the fracture I don’t believe horses do have to be euthanised.
I have a 17.3hh sporthorse that sustained a fracture to both near hind & fore leg. He was cross tied & in a Jones splint for 6 months then turned away for a year and made a FULL recovery. It was hard work but having bred the 4yr old I wanted to give him every chance. Perhaps the cost & time scale play a part with race horses – perhaps they deserve a better chance.
Some racehorses are saved; it depends on the owner(s) and how deep their pockets are. Horses who cannot race are considered a liability by too many. If the horse is highly bred and can be operated on then go to the breeding shed, they have a better chance of being saved. If the fracture is considered “catastrophic” and there is little chance they will ever race again, or to avoid further distress and suffering, they are typically put down right away.
Yes, horse racing seems to me to be all about money. There should be a duty of care when the horse has outlived it’s usefulness. In some cases it may be kinder to the horse, I think it depends where the break is. However I agree i’m not sure the horses are given a fair chance.
Thank you for your replys .
I appreciate them all
Just seems sad that such a beautifull animal ends up being killed due to it falling in a race for gambling ;(
I understand it had a nice life prior but just really upsets me to think .
I personally would do all I could to try my best to help my animal were possible x
i am no expert, but cannot see why racing on the flat would be less exciting and lucrative than this terrible risk laden sport of steeplechasing. What a sad and pointless loss of fine horses – shame on us as human beings for allowing this to happen