The life of a racehorse – 150 years ago and today

Abstract

Summary: 'The Life Of A Racehorse' is the title of a booklet, published 1865 in London by John Mills. In 21 chapters on 112 pages, it embraces the fate of the fictitious racehorse Sheet Anchor. His recollection of a life fraught with sorrowful changes starts with the basic education and training, where a horse should not be blamed and punished for his natural sensitiveness. He nevertheless underwent these preparations without problems and developed into a successful two-year-old and the winner of the Derby. His success kindled the interest of the betting community and Sheet Anchors' fate turned. He became the victim of safe methods for the increase of betting returns by laying against him. He suffered defeats caused by ruthless tactics, broke down, was drugged and nobbled, was sold several times and ended after a raffle as the property of a cabman. At this stage he wondered whether leaving back in his birthplace would have been a fare more pleasing scene. Although the story of Sheet Anchor is presented as a novel, the gloomy pictures reflect the situation of racing in the first half of the 19th century reliably. At these times, racing in Great Britain is reported to have been at the lowest moral ebb of its history. The described methods of the education and training also are criticized elsewhere and even may still be encountered in our days. Deplorably, the same can be said in regard to some medical treatments of the racehorse. In the history of racing, betting obviously was a main reason for grievances, and these risks (or human frailties) also still have to be dealt with in our society. Fortunately, in regard to welfare-issues in the context with the retirement of racehorses, meanwhile true progress happened in different places. Today, there is a generally accepted understanding that the commitment to the care and well-being of a horse must come along with the thrill of owning it. In accordance with this, the promotion of welfare is considered a key requirement for the future viability of the racing industry.

A second chance for old friends – The care and management of retired racehorses

“…Weiter führte er aus, dass er für die Bewältigung dieses Problems Institutionen wie die TAA als sicherlich zielgerichtet erachtet (Akitani 2012 (Willett 1970, Longrigg 1972, zeigt aber doch auf, dass das ungewisse Schicksal des Rennpferdes schon vor nahezu 300 Jahren im Bewusstsein der Gesellschaft war. Die Empathie für das vergessene und ausgemusterte Rennpferd kam auch in der vor etwas mehr als 150 Jahren erschienenen fiktiven Geschichte "The life of a racehorse" ein weiteres Mal deutlich zum Ausdruck (Mills 1865, Meier 2015.…”