ATHENS, OH -
This weekend horse racing fans will watch the third and final race of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes.
But local horse rescue groups say before fans gather around the track they should know about what they call the dirty little secret of the Thoroughbred racing industry. We spent several weeks on this investigation, following two orphaned foals as they fight for their life.
At an auction in Kentucky back in May, volunteers with the Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue in West Virginia, stepped in when they found out that for the second time in matter of weeks, two foals, just days old were being sold at auction.
The foals were alone, with no mother. The group bought them for $100 each. A volunteer from the group recorded her conversation with the person who sold the foals. She provided it to 13 News.
“How old are they?,” asked the volunteer. “Six and eight days if I’m not mistaken.”
The foals were not orphaned because their mother’s died. They are products of the nurse mare industry
Is money really that important. Sick people. It is common with dairy calves.
ITS ALL WRONG AND SOMEDAY THESE PEOPLE WILL PAY FOR THEIR GREED, CAUSE WE CANT TAKE IT WITH US.
It is very sad. And when people raise horses without a mother they raise a very dangerous animal thus putting it back into a rescue or euthanasia . When are humans going to learn. Greed a terrible .
Andrea- I couldn’t disagree more with your statement “they raise a very “dangerous” animal”. I have supported the wonderful organization and its volunteers in Athens for several years. I have met several mature hand raised babies and they are WONDERFUL horses. Many are pure-bred (not that it matters) and crosses come from good stock. These horses and ponies ‘are-in-your-pocket’ types and tend to act more like dogs than horses. They currently have a 2 year old blue roan on site they raised from one day old. He is already well on his way to being a “champion” in some incredibly lucky person’s life! If you don’t believe me call their farm- they will be more than willing to tell you how fantastic these babies are as well as the trials and tribulations of rescuing and raising them. I do agree with you 100%, humans are greedy and terrible.
humans will be knocked off the totom pole soon enough 12-21-12
AGREE
Terrible practice,people need to be shot for doing this.Animals are not fodder.When will humans pay attention and see the light.
It is not just the TB’s….other breeds are involved as well.
Very sad but sadly, all too common