I know it has been happening, but I cannot watch it.

I know that makes me a coward, but I have not been able to bring myself to report on this atrocity.

I stopped betting on the Melbourne cup over a decade ago.  A horse snapped a fetlock in a race and was shot on the course. (Behind a screen, of course).

My Aunt and Uncle used to train trotters (pacing horses, with a gig).

When those horses retired they TRULY went to live on farms, because they were not gallopers.

Race horses cannot go to riding camps, because they are trained to gallop.  So yep, they end up at the knackery.

I spent 6 months as a strapper (not stripper, strapper), and absolutely fell in love with a horse called Raki.  He used to try to eat my shirt while I was cleaning out his stable.

Buster was a shit of a horse who REALLY wanted to kick me.

There was a chestnut mare who always got herself tangled in a two wire fence (that takes a special level of determination), and after a rain she would head out into the middle of the grazing paddock and stand in mud until she started to sink.  I spent many an afternoon rescuing her from her own stupidity.

I CANNOT watch this.

There are a LOT of protests going on right now, as racing season has started.

I am just ONE person who will never bet on a horse race ever again.

This news will increase that number.

Trust me, if they do not change, then their industry is ruined.

The video within is from the biggest sports commentator in the country.

Opinion

ABC News

'We' should act, Bruce McAvaney says, but why haven't 'we' acted already?

It is beholden upon governments to act on horse racing cruelty, because it is clear too many in racing only see dollar signs when considering horses - and carnival-goers often don't see a horse at all, writes Richards Hinds.

Read more from ABC News

Jenifer (Zarknorph) said:

Trust me, if they do not change, then their industry is ruined.

I imagine the same thing is going on in the UK.

So far, this issue has been exposed for greyhounds, not horses.

I'm not sure I can get too excited about it, unfortunately - and if dog-lovers cannot be stirred, I see no hope for horses.

So basically, what this article says is "so sad, too bad", and nothing will be done.  It's sickening.

An "independent inquiry" has been launched today.

ABC News

Inquiry launched into 'deeply disturbing' racehorse cruelty at abattoirs

An independent inquiry will investigate the treatment of retired racehorses and allegations of animal cruelty at abattoirs, the Queensland Premier announces.

Read more from ABC News

Common sense tells you that rehoming is not always possible - but a humane exit is always possible.  A ban against the distribution of horse meat for human or animal consumption would also help.

We have a a lot of wild horses here, but a far worse camel infestation in Australia.

If we used them for meat, then more horses would have a chance.

But with droughts and grazing land becoming more precious, there is no way the horses could just be set free.

I really didn't intend to suggest they be set free - we have annual culling of wild horses here.  It's the absolute cruelty to these animals that have never been treated harshly that  is so outrageous.  For pity's sake, if they have to be put to death, do it kindly.  There is no sane reason for their treatment.

I know you agree with me, Jenifer.  I'm just howling at the wind, because I'm so upset.  

I know, we agree.

The whole thing just sucks.