Rescued racehorse makes most of 2nd chance

[Contrary1]

:applause:



Buck is one of hundreds that avoided slaughter thanks to rescue ranches

MILLSTADT, Ill. - "As the other thoroughbreds broke from the gate, dark bay Buck awkwardly started his first race with a jittery hop and wobble that left him running last among the 11 horses.

That the gelding's thundering strides down the homestretch rallied him to a fourth-place finish may not have been the most remarkable thing that day last September at Arlington Park in suburban Chicago. The miracle is that Buck lived to race at all.

Just two years earlier, he was a yearling packed among dozens of other horses in a trailer destined for slaughter in Mexico. Horse-loving Margo Sutter bought him, sparing him and two of the other animals.

Gimpy from a swollen ankle and punctured shoulder, Buck didn't have much value and few imagined he would stage such a remarkable comeback. But this is a testament to the power of second chances..."

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/38179950/ns/sports-horse_racing/

[ladjf]

1. Good story. Thanks. nt

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

2. I'm not too happy that she bought him to race him, although I'm glad she saved his life.

I had expected the story to be about an older gelded racehorse, facing the slaughterhouse, saved and then living an idyllic life on a farm. At most, being trained as a hunter and used for poorer kids to ride?

[ThomasQED]

3. I agree

She's perpetuating the system that caused this horse to be slaughter-bound in the first place. People need to stop going to the horse races.

[superduperfarleft]

4. Exactly. Welcome to DU. n/t

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

5. Yes! And Thomas! Welcome to DU!!!!

:hi:

[GoCubsGo]

6. She's using his winnings to rescue other horses.

And, he's still living a pretty good life. I don't see that as a bad thing.

[ThomasQED]

7. Giving him a good life is definitely a good thing.

And using the winnings to rescue more is a good thing.

What's bad about it is that as long as people think horse races are "fun," more and more horses will be bred for it, used for it, and slaughtered when they no longer win. She's kinda helping create more race horses who will be slaughtered.

I am sure that's not her intention and she has indeed done some good deeds.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

8. And his 4th place purse earned him how much to rescue other horses? That just about covers

his feed, board, training and jockey fees. I think her heart is in a good place, but I also believe that her thinking is a bit skewed. It was the horse racing business that sent Buck on his way to the slaughterhouse in the first place and by racing him, she's just perpetuating this business.

As to his living a pretty good life? I've seen too many horses broken down and put down on tracks to agree with you.

[Liberal_in_LA]

9. I don't like the racing but I'm happy he was saved.

[Demoiselle]

10. If I ever win the Lottery...

I'm going to have a farm (at least one) where rescued horses can live out their lives as lawn ornaments.
And I'll probably add cows, pigs, sheep, dogs, cats...you name it.
In the meantime...is there a horse-rescue organization out there that I can donate to?

[BrklynLiberal]

11. Horses are such magnificent creatures......

I hope that he is able to live a long and peaceful life...

[matt819]

12. There are, thankfully, hundreds of stories like this - but still not enough

We own what is called an OTTB - off the track Thoroughbred. When we bought him, he wasn't headed for slaughter, but that was almost inevitable since his racing career was a tad less than impressive. This is a horse whose guiding principle is to stop and smell the flowers (or, more accurately, stop and eat the flowers).

Sadly, there are many, many (many, many, etc.) racehorses that are destined for slaughter, and this, in itself, is an utter outrage. Equally outrageous have been the conditions in which these animals are transported en route to slaughter. It is, like so much else these days, a travesty and a stain on the human race. Thanks to rescue farms and individuals who take in OTTB and abused horses, these animals can live decent lives in other sporting capacities or as pets, companion animals, or "pasture ornaments." The reality, however, is that there are not enough of these outlets/individuals, and so many horses end up in horrendous conditions here and abroad, and ultimately head to ignominious slaughter, including some of the most famous racehorses.

[kimi]

14. Thank you for what you've done

The more this information gets out, the better.

[MoonRiver]

13. So happy for the dear little guy!

Humans don't realize how much healthier we'd be and how much longer we would live if we adopted a plant based diet. As an added bonus, horses and other sentient beings would not have to suffer horrible abuse and death. Win-Win IMHO.