Days After the Bloodbath in Belmont, Germany Conducts Pilot Study on the Dark Side of Equestrian Sports

Not long ago, in the Belmont Stakes, two horses got injured during two consecutive races and were euthanized later. One of them suffered an injury to the leg and was euthanized on Saturday. Another horse named Masnee Girl also got injured, with the same fate befalling it too. These tragic incidents have left equestrian fans heartbroken. Horses are the main attraction in the sport, and these magnificent creatures are also the reason why the sport has landed in trouble quite frequently. People have consistently advocated for a ban on equestrian sports because of the abuse they have to sustain.

There is a long list of deaths of these equine athletes; be it the Kentucky Derby or any other event, there are inevitable chances of them getting injured or even dying. To steer clear of these tragic events, Germany is working on a possible solution.

A solution for the equestrian everlasting issue

According to the Deutscher Tierschutzbund, German Animal Welfare rules in equestrian sports are pretty acceptable, but these rules need to be carried out properly. CHIO Aachen, a popular equestrian show in Germany, has launched research on the health of horses so as to overcome the fatal injuries and deaths that are happening regularly. DW reported that according to the scientists involved in the study, these tests are done to avoid pushing their limits or even going over their limits; their strengths should not be tested just for the sake of a win.

This initiative will monitor the health of equine athletes during the tournaments. Birgit Rosenberg, head of sport at CHIO Aachen, stated, “For us, it is very important to lead the sport towards a good future.” Scientists have already launched a pilot study on six horses and are monitoring their performance and health. Even the most basic details are being taken into consideration. These studies will evaluate what causes horses to collapse and the reasons for their stress during equestrian events.

How Will These Equine Athletes be Monitored

These horses will be supervised through cameras, and tests will be performed to regulate the stress hormones, which will also include their behavior and sleep patterns. There will be brain mapping performed on these horses before and after the races. Then this data will be compared to the state of the horses resting in the stables.

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These tests are performed under optimal conditions for the horses. The results of these will be analyzed in the winter, and there will be conclusive evidence if these equine athletes should be permitted to take part in the competitions. These reports will be made available for the general equestrian public as well. This development brings hope for a safer and more responsible approach to this beloved sport and its creatures.

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