Fintan said:a quick google brought this explanation up
[broken link removed]
: Why are so many horses put down after injury. Why can’t they be treated, after all one does not shoot a human being or even a dog if they break a leg?
- Vets take every opportunity to repair fractures where it is possible.
- Some fractures are successfully treated. Danoli and Moorcroft Boy are just two examples of horses which have returned to racing after serious injury.
- Several limb fractures can actually be treated, however, there are many problems which subsequently arise during the recovery period. For example, horses cannot be “put to bed” or have their leg put in a sling. When you or I break a leg there will be a significant period of time following surgery when no weight whatsoever can be put on the fracture, and we only weigh a matter of stones. Most fractures are simply unable to bear the weight of half a ton of horse immediately after treatment.
- In addition, the risks of infection following a fall on turf and soil are very high indeed and sometimes no amount of anti-biotics can prevent infection spreading and causing irreparable damage. Furthermore, when there is a fracture there is often significant soft tissue damage as well and this can also complicate the repairing of an injury.
- Many horses, and racehorses in particular, do not adapt well to sustained period of inactivity during convalescence.
- When we talk about a horse’s welfare we are talking about the quality of life for a horse. In the event of a horse incurring a bad fracture the vet responsible usually has two options, he can either try and treat the injury, which will, at best, result in a protracted and painful recovery period with no guarantee of a return to a useful activity or, by the administration of a quick injection an end can be brought to any pain and suffering.
. Rubbish! (with all due respects). It would no more difficult to administer an injection than it would be to 'administer' a bullet in the head. Your argument is nonsense. Whenever I have seen a horse being 'put down' on TV at a race (which airing unfortunately has happened, although rarely, when the race is live on TV) it appears to me that the horse is certainly not fighting the guy with the gun! Your argument suggests that because the poor animal is wounded, pained and frightened, this is a very good reason to shoot him in the head rather than make the process a little easier on the poor unfortunate creature. I think you've shot yourself in the foot Observer!Observer said:Would you fancy restraining a strong, wounded, panicky, pained horse while administering a hefty injection through thick horsehide? Nope, me neither!
Hmmmm, are you sure that you want to ease the animals suffering or the sensibilities of the watching public? (Interesting that the guns used in UK racetracks are REQUIRED to be fitted with silencers! Can't have the animal loving public hearing a nasty BANG, can we?)Andrewa said:Your argument suggests that because the poor animal is wounded, pained and frightened, this is a very good reason to shoot him in the head rather than make the process a little easier on the poor unfortunate creature
They dont show this deliberately as its not needed to be seen. The times Ive seen it happen at racecourses, where no screening was available (they put up screening so punters dont have to see the animal getting shot), the horse has been in considerable distress and an immediate solution is needed. Bullet is fastest method. A half ton agitated beast, albeit injured, is not one to be trifled with. Really tho, what difference does it make? Surely youd like the animal to be put out its suffering as soon as possible?. It would no more difficult to administer an injection than it would be to 'administer' a bullet in the head. Your argument is nonsense. Whenever I have seen a horse being 'put down' on TV at a race (which airing unfortunately has happened, although rarely, when the race is live on TV) it appears to me that the horse is certainly not fighting the guy with the gun!
Andrewa said:I was simply asking for the reasons why shooting would be used instead of an injection. No need for everybody to get on thier 'high horse' !!
. Nay!casiopea said:Dont shoot (or apply lethal injection) the messenger, Andrewa
Sorry - the "i" was a typo. Does that make you feel better?Andrewa said:Clubman - "poor horsies" ?
. I feel exactly as I felt before I read your message. Why should I feel any different because you made a typo?ClubMan said:Sorry - the "i" was a typo. Does that make you feel better?
ClubMan said:And any meat eater who worries about poor horsies being put down might want to consider where their food comes from!
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