Disclaimer: I'm a horse person. Opinion: this just isn't a big deal. It was stupid and wrong and I'm sure the jockey regrets it, but yes, everyone I know who's worked with horses has lost his or her temper at some point and done something similarly stupid, wrong, and regrettable. I once smacked a show pony I was training when he bit me. I was seen and reported to the owners, who fired me. I understood, but so did other horse people, and I was on a new one two months later. Did I hit her? No. People who knew me knew that what had happened was out of character and not likely to recur. I've seen abuse. I've seen sores around the ankles of gaited horses from unpadded chains used to increase step height. I've seen ginger inserted into a horse's anus to lift his tail. I've seen a tired jumper beaten when he knocks down a rail in practice. A kick from a hundred-pound (and respected) jockey just doesn't set off my alarm bells. Give him a fine or a suspension and let him get back to his career. His longevity speaks, to a degree, to a gentle nature; it's very hard to have a career riding other people's horses unless you're widely regarded to be trustworthy.
These horses have no choice but to race, our ignorance and childish gamlbing ways have created a very poor situation for these beautiful animals. You know, that isn't strictly true. Race-horses are bred to run, that is what they love to do, maybe human intervention has altered the why, but not to a huge extent. If a horse doesn't want to race then he tends not to win. Which results in him not being a race horse. I'm not saying there isn't abuse, because there is, and it is something that needs addressing, in all industries that use animals, but as a horse-lover I firmly believe that there is nothing intrinsically wrong in racing horses. I'm not a huge fan myself, I watch the odd race especially the bigger ones like the National and the Cheltenham festival, but I'm not an expert. But there seems to be this belief that horses should be treated like people. Just like many pet dogs are. In my opinion that is cruelty. Horses are not people. And if we are going to work with horses then we need to acknowledge that fact. Maybe some people think that the very fact that horses are trained to carry people is cruelty. I disagree. In this case the jockey, as I said earlier, should be investigated. This is happening. This is a good thing. It doesn't mean that the jockey abused his horse. Ever seen that Simpson's episode with Stampy the Elephant? Animals can be jack-asses too you know. I'm not trying to excuse the behaviour, but, people are animals too, and sometimes we do things we regret.
When involved in a horse race, doesn't the jockey continuously smack the horse on the thigh with a whip? Just a question because suddenly, everyone seems to forget that horses are one the few animals that are being 'abused' on television for the world to see but because it's called racing, it's ok?
Consider the immediate aftermath. The jockey gets suspended, so for the time being he is out of work. The horse goes back to the barn, eats a hearty meal and in a week or so is back on the track. The suspension is p-r; the industry looks concerned/good, the track saves face. I still feel that disbarring the jockey is extreme and beyond the scope of the "crime". I hope and think the racing director will act accordingly considering Molina's reputation. Just for the record I speak from having family members in the racing game at the ground level. I am not a racing habitue, but am quite aware of it's sheen and it's warts.
Gee I use to ride horses and we always kicked them with our boots and spurs to make em go. This is kinda ridiculous. Sure the Jockey lost his temper big deal, he deserves a modest fine just for the bad PR he caused. Everybody was all for torturing that Barbaro with surgery and vet care just to look compassionate. My experience with horses is that you better show them who is the boss or you will wind up getting hurt. As far as horseracing being cruel, I disagree. Horses are runners and thats what they do naturally. If a horse doesn't want to run nobody will want to race him. It's funny to me but if you kick a horse somebody gets upset, but if you geld him nobody bitches. If I were in the horses shoes, I'd say kick me all you like but leave my balls alone.
I'd say kick me all you like but leave my balls alone. I used to say this to my ex-wife all the time. Thanks, I'll be here through the week!!! Try the veal!!!
But seriously, I used to say that.
