Anyone hear about Ralph Riviezzo’s horse that broke down in the morning,yesterday or today.It broke it’s leg and Dr.Loretto shot it.Anyone know why he didn’t just euthanize it with an injection rather than shooting it?Also I thought it was illegal to have a gun on the track…
I have not heard of a horse shot at a major track in ages. “Shot-up” is more like it. Of course, all things are possible…except skiing through a revolving door.
I would highly doubt the veterinarian used a gun to shoot the horse. Matter of fact, I’d be shocked if that were the case.
They may have been referring to captive bolt. Paul Thorpe uses one in Lexington. My SO is an equine vet in Ocala and we ‘shoot’ ours if we need to put one down. It’s much more humane than Buthanasia. People have an aversion to it because it is messy, but I have seen it done both ways many many times and IMO the bolt gun is faster and easier on the animal. It also allows for the meat to be rendered. In some states (such as Florida), you can’t (legally) bury a horse that has been euthanized due to ground water contamination and possible exposure to wildlife.
[QUOTE=Little Hound;4159725]
I would highly doubt the veterinarian used a gun to shoot the horse. Matter of fact, I’d be shocked if that were the case.[/QUOTE]
Actually, I know several vets that are pretty handy with a .22 in addition to the bolt gun. Including Vets that write articles for The Horse magazine. A lot of Vets feel it’s more humane, as it severs the brain stem instantly. When I first heard of it, I was appalled (being raised a city girl). Then I watched it being done a few times, and saw for myself that it was quicker.
I was told first hand by my trainer that it was shot with a pistol.
And your trainer saw it first-hand, or heard from someone else first-hand who heard from someone else first-hand who …
If my vet had a gun handy, was a good shot, and it was going to be quicker then euthanizing the animal (such as when the animal is in shock or so panicked and blinded by pain that the drugs would take longer to work), I’d be all for the gun (or bolt).
I had to euthanize one of my stallions last year due to colic, and by the time my vet got here his body had shut down to the point that it took waaaayyyy longer then normal for the drugs to take effect. If i’d had the choice, I may very well have had him shot.
[QUOTE=AppJumpr08;4159854]
If my vet had a gun handy, was a good shot, and it was going to be quicker then euthanizing the animal (such as when the animal is in shock or so panicked and blinded by pain that the drugs would take longer to work), I’d be all for the gun (or bolt).
I had to euthanize one of my stallions last year due to colic, and by the time my vet got here his body had shut down to the point that it took waaaayyyy longer then normal for the drugs to take effect. If i’d had the choice, I may very well have had him shot.[/QUOTE]
I agree 100%…I think it’s the quickest and kindest way.I just always thought that firearms were illegal on the track and I’m a bit suprised.
Folks nobody does or at least should be using a mere pistol or rifle to euthanize a horse. This isn’t Oklahoma 1870 for goodness sakes! Don’t confuse a bell gun to a firearm in the traditional sense! There is no need to be some sort of “good shot”, “marksman” or whatever other crazy nonsense - you simply have to possess the correct tool which fits on the horse’s head.
I posted this exceptionally well done article on Off Course back in April when it came out.
For hundreds of years, there was no argument about the best way to kill a horse. Those injured in the chariot races of ancient Greece and Rome were presumably stabbed. With the introduction of the musket around the 15th century, and with European armies spreading firearms and horses all over the world, killing an injured horse with a gun became accepted practice. It was quick, cheap and easy – never mind that bullets often ricocheted out of the horse’s head or that men might make the mistake of shooting the animal between the eyes. (A horse’s brain is located toward the back of the head. To find it, draw a line from the outside of one eye to the opposite ear, then do the same from the other eye; where the lines intersect is the brain.)
In 1930, vets started using the Bell Gun, one of the first tools designed to kill livestock in a clean, safe, precise way. It weighed five pounds, spit .32-caliber bullets and had a bell-shape protective cover over its muzzle. To use it, vets simply fit it onto a horse’s forehead, unscrewed a slot, inserted a bullet and tapped a lever. No kickback and no mess, only a sharp pop from point-blank range.
Good article,thank you.Perhaps this is the type “gun” the doc used.I’ll post as I hear more.
Well then…
Glimmer, thank you for pulling up that info about the Bell Gun. All my years with horses and this has never been mentioned. Might make the discussion a tiny bit more rational within the anti-slaughter movement (I know I am an optimist).
Also, Las Olas, thank you and thank you for that input on Buthanasia. I do not know why people think that is so “kind”, it is actually quite painful (and long) to attend sometimes. Also, did not know that Florida outlawed the burial of horses killed by chemical euthanasia but the carcass will certainly befoul the watertable with chemicals, we have enough painkillers in the water supply as it is within certain sedated communities in the US. On top of that the scavenger animals can be killed or sickened like what happened with the eagles out west somewhere. Problem with that though is that in some areas of Washington State, there are so many eagles that are starving because of drought and overpopulation that they are having to be fed in big groups. My inlaws sent me an article with a picture of a big group of birds sitting around being fed, cats and dogs uh, kind of disappearing in that area also. Things certainly get out of balance sometimes, don’t they?
One more little story, I was working at a vet clinic near a TB racetrack, many of our clients were track clients. One late afternoon, just prior to racing, the state vet who was standing in for someone, came in the clinic looking for Nolvasan, seems they ran out of Buthasol and there was a crisis. Vet knew this method from vet school. How kind was this method do you think? I am not blaming the vet, who was just doing the job. I was horrified though. Wonder how many times that happens and no one is the wiser.
I’ve never heard the term Buthanasia or Buthasol. Is it a different euthanasia drug? And I am sure I am going to regret asking this, but why would they come looking for Nolvasan if they run out of Buthasol?
Edited to add, Are bell guns still available? We have a pistol around should an extreme case warrent it, as we are about an hour from vet care on a good day. But it sounds like that bell gun would be easier to get placed right and less chance of something going awry.
Early this spring it was clear that our precious 27 year-old TB mare was on a downward spiral. We have never had to even consider euthanizing a horse before. I had no idea what was actually involved. At one point I called the vet, to give them a heads up that her time was coming… the vet agreed. But I could never actually schedule that final appointment, turns out that I didn’t have to. On a warm day in late March she simply laid down in the sun and passed peacefully away. She is buried in a corner of the pasture. The memory, though sad, is one of peace. I can not imagine how I’d feel now if we’d had to use any of the techniques discussed here. Living things die, that is an inescapable fact. Sometimes humane euthanasia is the only choice to make, I just wish there were options available that were less brutal than what’s being discussed here.
Baby Goose, the track did not have either Euthasol or Buthasol, they are jerks not to have noticed or for someone not to have noticed if it was an oversight. Maybe their distributor did not deliver, I do not know what happened as to why the drug was not there. I just know the vet was afraid there would be a breakdown and that there would be nothing except for a gun to do the deed.
Not good for the betting stats and all that, not that people much notice when a shroud goes up except for those who are not too busy having a good time to notice. I used to walk in circles or would just leave. Thank God, no horse that I ever groomed lost it’s life on the track but I suffered anyway.
I know Dr. Lorito personally and the man is a wonderful person and is a fantastic Vet. The rumor is true! He did in fact shoot the horse and has stated that it was the most humane way to destroy him!
I have seen horses disposed of in this manner before- and IMO if ther person shooting knows what they are doing- it is instanteous and the horses doesn’t suffer at all!
I have also seen horses that have just refused to die when they are given the euthanol- and still have memories of one Vet telling the horse, as she hit it for the third time- “Momma you are one horse I will never forget because the horse just wouldn’t die.”
The track is going to take away his license and rule him off- which is a shame because there are so many corrupt Vets at Philly Park and he was actually one of the Vets who actually care about the wellness of the horses!
He will be truley missed if they do rule him off…
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And your trainer saw it first-hand, or heard from someone else first-hand who heard from someone else first-hand who …[/QUOTE]
I’m very careful about things that I post here…you will hear more and more about this factual situation.I chose not to mention that he will probably be arrested and his license removed…now that others are posting the facts we all shall see.Again,I am NOT against method of euthanasia at all…I just was suprised that a gun was used since they are not allowed on the track.I also have nothing against Doc Loreto and have used him many times.
I am not certain that a captive bolt is all that much more humane than chemical euthanasia. Horses have thick bone in their heads and that is one reason why the captive bolt is opposed by many animal welfare people for it’s use in slaughter. I think the AVMA recommends exsanguination (bleeding out) if a captive bolt is used as it’s intention is to “stun” or render a horse unconcious…not to kill it.
Gunshot is very humane if done correctly but you need to know what you are doing and be safe with a firearm. It’s not hard to see why many vets do not want to carry a gun around with them.
Horses euthanized with chemicals can be rendered. In many places they can be buried also. They cannot be eaten though.
I don’t know why the vet should be warned off. The AVMA states that gunshot is an acceptable form of euthanasia:
Page 13, AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia
http://www.avma.org/issues/animal_welfare/euthanasia.pdf
GUNSHOT
A properly placed gunshot can cause immediate insensibility and humane death. In some circumstances, a gunshot may be the only practical method of euthanasia. Shooting should only be performed by highly skilled personnel trained in the use of firearms and only in jurisdictions that allow for legal firearm use. Personnel, public, and nearby animal safety should be considered. The procedure should be performed outdoors and away from public access.
Now, perhaps the firearm wasn’t licensed, or the jurisdiction didn’t allow for it to be used. That would be different than being warned off for using it to perform the euthanasia.
They are getting him with carrying a firearm on the grounds of the track! They are not saying it was illegal what he did, just that he had a gun on him on the grounds!
