Carte Blanche tonight

Firstly, all of our horses are retired through HHCU. Down here we recently had a 3 yo gelding, unraced, who has a paralysis in the trachea. He won't race. We contacted KZN Horse Care Unit. They wanted to euthanase the horse at our yard. We just could not do that so we sent the horse to HHCU.

The overall problem is that we must face facts. The economy is in a bad way and all horses are expensive to keep. The biggest danger facing all horses right now is the fact that they may be neglected simply due to financial situations.

So, I fully understand that there is now a smaller demand for horses off the track from good homes. So, some will have to be euthanized. Rather that than seeing the cruelty that we saw on Carte Blanche last night. The HHCU will make that decision. They find homes for horses, after approving the new home etc. As much as I was always at "war" with Dr.Dale Wheeler of NHA, I will ALWAYS respect him for the time he put in to examine all horses that came through HHCU.

Like Oscar we are proud of our horses achievements after Racing. It's great that my son's horse PLAY PLAY has made it to the Gauteng team, after being retired through HHCU. And we will always remain donors to HHCU . Too many people pay lip service. How many here donate, monthly, through debit order ?

louisg wrote: Firstly, all of our horses are retired through HHCU. Down here we recently had a 3 yo gelding, unraced, who has a paralysis in the trachea. He won't race. We contacted KZN Horse Care Unit. They wanted to euthanase the horse at our yard. We just could not do that so we sent the horse to HHCU.

The overall problem is that we must face facts. The economy is in a bad way and all horses are expensive to keep. The biggest danger facing all horses right now is the fact that they may be neglected simply due to financial situations.

So, I fully understand that there is now a smaller demand for horses off the track from good homes. So, some will have to be euthanized. Rather that than seeing the cruelty that we saw on Carte Blanche last night. The HHCU will make that decision. They find homes for horses, after approving the new home etc. As much as I was always at "war" with Dr.Dale Wheeler of NHA, I will ALWAYS respect him for the time he put in to examine all horses that came through HHCU.

Like Oscar we are proud of our horses achievements after Racing. It's great that my son's horse PLAY PLAY has made it to the Gauteng team, after being retired through HHCU. And we will always remain donors to HHCU . Too many people pay lip service. How many here donate, monthly, through debit order ?

I do, so you can jump off your high horse now and realise that you are not the only person in the world that cares for the well being of a horse when his racing career is over.

CnC - I don't think Louis meant any offence. It's a tricky subject and a difficult one to discuss, but we need to look at it as a sport / industry / community, so let's be grateful for every one who is taking an interest and making an effort.

I think it's absolutely fantastic that we are starting to see more engagement between racing and the competitive / leisure community. And it's fantastic to see racing folk speak out about being proud of their horses in their second careers (yes, it's happened for years, but it was just accepted that this was normal - with racing's current PR crisis, it really helps when racing actively looks after / takes an interest in our horses and are proud to talk about it). It makes a look a great deal more friendly and likeable and it's also really fun and rewarding to do.

Interestingly, the leisure community are often very curious about a Thoroughbred's breeding and racing history, but are often too shy / scared to approach the breeder / trainer / racing owner in case they look stupid or feel a nuisance. Which is silly really - horse people LOVE talking about their horses and rightly so, because we're generally proud of them.

While it is not always possible to help each and every one with foal pics, racing photos, etc, we should really encourage interest in our horses and - by extension - in our industry. Because we're a great bunch and we are lucky enough to breed, own, train, ride some pretty phenomenal horses.

humans are cruel, and greedy.
And yes, racing needs to be more socially responsible, especially about their product, the horse.
And so, Szuszanna is correct in surmising that Mr Barends' steps have been a long time coming. There has been campaigning by various individuals and groups behinds the scenes for quite some time...thank goodness action now and with those same good sensible people in place etc driving it through. Support it all the way please people...we have to push this to fruition, for the sake of the sport and everyone that derives a livelihood from it.

CnC you were not mentioned in my post. So why you took it so personally I don't know....
Anyway, if every Owner and Trainer donated to HHCU, the retired horses will be far better off. And if SOME TRAINERS in S.A. did not just sell retired horses for a quick few grand, the rubbish won't get hold of the horses to bush race...

When i refer to SOME TRAINERS, I am talking about the few who don't care where their horses are going and not about the vast majority who actually do care.

And Yes, if asking for donors from here means that I am on a high horse, so be it. Bless the lot of you.