Reguarding a traditional horse race appropriatly called "suicide race" that takes place every year at the rodeo in Omak, WA.
Wondering what the views of others are on this issue. After inquiry of people that live in WA and are already a bit desensitized I was still pretty surprised to hear what some think about this event.... very surprised actually. I attended the rodeo (front row seats right behind the bull chutes) and wittnessed the evening heat of the suicide race back in 2004. After seeing what happened that year (same thing that has happen many years prior) I can easily say that I would never take my kids to see the race! Don't get me wrong, I dig a good redeo but, wow... that was too much for me! (my dad grew up in Omak and I still have family living there. My aunt and uncle invited my dad and I to the rodeo that year)
I believe the main reason the race has survived over the years is due to the "tradition" issue. Both for the rodeo itself and the tribe local to that area. I'm pretty amazed either of those reasons have swayed animal welfare enforcement this long!
warning: death and debatable/alleged abuse of horses mentioned in the following links.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_Race
http://www.omakstampede.org/?page=suicide
http://www.paws.org/outreach/campaigns/omak.php
if you are curious about how the course actually looks just type in "suicide race omak" into the search bar at youtube.com. You'll find both pro and anti videos. Some contain actual video of death of horses during the race so don't watch if you aren't prepared to see that.
Wondering what the views of others are on this issue. After inquiry of people that live in WA and are already a bit desensitized I was still pretty surprised to hear what some think about this event.... very surprised actually. I attended the rodeo (front row seats right behind the bull chutes) and wittnessed the evening heat of the suicide race back in 2004. After seeing what happened that year (same thing that has happen many years prior) I can easily say that I would never take my kids to see the race! Don't get me wrong, I dig a good redeo but, wow... that was too much for me! (my dad grew up in Omak and I still have family living there. My aunt and uncle invited my dad and I to the rodeo that year)
I believe the main reason the race has survived over the years is due to the "tradition" issue. Both for the rodeo itself and the tribe local to that area. I'm pretty amazed either of those reasons have swayed animal welfare enforcement this long!
warning: death and debatable/alleged abuse of horses mentioned in the following links.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_Race
http://www.omakstampede.org/?page=suicide
http://www.paws.org/outreach/campaigns/omak.php
if you are curious about how the course actually looks just type in "suicide race omak" into the search bar at youtube.com. You'll find both pro and anti videos. Some contain actual video of death of horses during the race so don't watch if you aren't prepared to see that.
. The poor thing was so paniced, so scared, flaring it's nostrils, then I imagine it had a heart attack. They has to tie a rope around it's legs and drag it out with a truck. I was in shock along with others in the crowd. I think it was the first time one of the horses actually died IN the arena. I was so surprised to hear them advertising for the race the next summer. I thought sure that would end it. Makes me wonder, if that doesn't put a stop to it, what does? I believe there was also a rider lost that year. He sustained a head injury, slipped into a coma, then died days later. So, so, sad. 
