Coming out of ACMI at Federation Square on my way to a rally in support of the people of Honduras - report coming soon - my eye was caught by an unexpected sight across the way in front of the Australian Racing Museum - which was otherwise advertising the celebration on Sunday 2 August of the traditional "horses' birthday":
There is a short video of the protest on EngageMedia - http://www.engagemedia.org/Members/pc/videos/peta-1aug09.mpg/view - also available on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvZPOxk9Klw
Vinyl-clad "dominatrices" with whips and signs reading "Some People like Whips, Horses Don't" picketed the Australian Racing Museum at Federation Square this morning in a protest timed to coincide with the introduction of new horse-whipping rules on 1 August. These rules will 'allow the use of "padded" whips and permit jockeys to whip horses five times before the final stretch, after which horses can be whipped an additional three times...' - From a PETA news release.
'Why does horseracing have PETA's lovely dominatraces whipped into a frenzy? During races, horses are painfully whipped as they run frantically in front of hundred of screaming "punters". Because horses begin training and racing when their skeletal systems are still developing, many sustain serious muscle and joint injuries, fractures, internal bleeding, musculoskeletal trauma and ruptured ligaments. Whipping horses can force them to run faster and exacerbate existing injuries, leading to catastrophic breakdowns.
'By age three - when they are still physically immature - most horses have seen their last race. When horses become injured or suffer from chronic diseases, many are sent to slaughter. An undercover investigation at a slaughterhouse in Melbourne revealed that weak, emaciated horses were shot in the head with a rifle - often in full view of other horses.
'"It's one thing for consenting adults to use whips in the privacy of their own homes", says "dominatrix" Anita Frank. "But beating horses into running faster is nothing short of animal abuse."'
For details of the new rules see:
http://www.australianracingboard.com.au/press/whiprules.pdf
'From the 1st August 2009 only padded whips are to be used in races and
official trials.'
'The best scientific advice available to us says that padded whips do not inflict pain or
injury, and that is the outcome we want.'
Also visit:
http://www.petaasiapacific.com
Comments
Re: PETA protests at whipping of horses - 1 August 2009
On a related note, the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses has sent Livinia Nixon a letter pleading for her to retire her horse, Desert Master, after he suffered a fall during a trial on Friday (7th of August):
'Ward Young from the Coalition wrote to Ms Nixon offering assistance to retire her horse and stating that horses who fall are much more susceptible to falling again and being killed on the racetrack. "Ms Nixon has stated that she is an animal lover, so we would hate for any animal lover to involve their animal in a sport that is brutally cruel to animals" said Ward Young this morning.
'"We hope that Ms Nixon will retire Desert Storm before he becomes the next dead horse in jumps racing. Given the sports horrible track record, if he stays in the sport, it will be sooner rather than later."
'12 horses have died in jumps racing in 2009, with the statistics presenting as the worst in 35 years. "Hopefully no more horses will die this year, we've seen enough carnage. But while this sport is allowed to continue, I am fearful every time a horse jumps an obstacle that it may be his last. I hope Ms Nixon feels the same way and will save Desert Master before it is too late."'
Media Comment: Ward Young 0419 861 029 or Elio Celotto 0412 039 788.
Media release from COALITION FOR THE PROTECTION OF RACEHORSES
http://www.horseracingkills.com/ban_jumps_racing.php
re:
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Marks Web
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Re: PETA protests at whipping of horses - 1 August 2009
Whipping of horses is unfriendly. I am one of those who protests against this. To be able to grab the chance of winning in a race, whipping is not the solution, but the proper choice of the kind of horse to be an entry and of course be knowledgeable about racing tips.