The following is but a sampling of horses killed at U.S. tracks last year (full list here). Please note that I have not included kills that took place in California, Maryland, Kentucky, and Oklahoma, for those states provided the most (excruciating) detail and merit stand-alone views – California, Maryland, Kentucky, Oklahoma. (Although I noted ages…

Through a FOIA request to the Maryland Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks thus far this year. Amani’s Eagle, Jan 12, Laurel R (euth Jan 13) “Horse pulled up lame near the 1/2 pole and was vanned off. Radiographs the next day indicated a comminuted fracture, severe fraying, and…

This from the Gaming Commission on 3-year-old Strawberry Kwik at Finger Lakes Tuesday: “suffered a fractured right shoulder, necessitating euthanasia.” This is horseracing.

For me, the worst human beings do to animals is take away their autonomy, their freedom. Stick them in a cage, a crate, a tank, or, in the case of racehorses, a tiny 12×12 stall for the vast majority of their day(s). It is cruelty defined, all the more so for social animals like horses….