Porter forms new organization for TB welfare

[ASB_Stars]

If money and great intent can do it, this might help the plight of TBs sent to slaughter. I have always had huge respect for Porter- he steps in and cares more about his horses than the trainers do, which is unusual.

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/226280/porter-forms-horse-welfare-organization

[Gestalt]

I really like that he is tackling this on a national level. Finding a way to keep horses from going to auctions and tracking injuries and deaths to identify the owners / trainers with high numbers.

He is absolutely right about losing public support. Tragedies like Barbaro and Eight Belles can not just cause fans to leave, it can also move them to work against racing in general.

[snaffle1987]

Bravo. the sport needs owners to step up and take some responsibility. for all of the good ownership in the sport there is plenty of bad. How many Thoroughbreds ship direct off the track and how many “culls” from low level breeding farms end up on a one way ticket to the feedlot. Louisiana, Texas, Midwest, Washington area, West Virginia, Arizona/New Mexico- These tracks rarely have CANTER listings or anything similar. How many of these horses end up on a dealer truck when they are no longer making ends meet. I think this issue is far worse than many lead on. Due to anti slaughter policies; etc trainers and owners have found ways to dodge that. Horses no longer run through the local sale yards; instead they ship direct to the feed lot. Granted; thoroughbred rehoming is at record success right now; there is certainly a long way to go

Tracking injuries and deaths is certainly something that needs to be done for the better care and treatment across the board.

Although Barbaro and Eight Belles were tragic; I don’t think either of those scenarios could’ve been avoided. Michael Matz is a great trainer known for his care of the horses in his barn. The sad fact of the matter is there will always be death in the sport which can negatively affect the publics perception. The key is striving for the best care of the horse to minimize wear and tear and potential catastrophe.

But I think the sport needs to look beyond trainer records of injury and death and start taking a hard look at where it all starts: there are several horses that will not even be two yet breezing in 10 flat in the 2 year old sales in the next few weeks. How many walk away with bucked shins and soundness issues from breezing at this speed being under 2 years; It just seems utterly ridiculous to me.