Ah, PETA. So hip, so rich, so smart. B-list celebrities line up to get gloriously naked for a PETA cause because they know the world is watching. Right now, an ad campaign featuring the image of former 3rd Rock star Kristen Johnston (sprawled naked across a fiberglass steed) is plastered across Central Park.
After targeting the thoroughbred industry earlier this year (re: Eight Belles), PETA goes for the exactor with an attack on New York City’s horse-drawn carriage industry. The clever tagline: “Don’t Get Taken For A Ride. Horse-Drawn Carriages Are Cruel.”
Here’s what keeps me awake on nights like these: visions of my favourite B-list celebrities perched naked and alluring in a racebike, with a whip clenched provocatively between their teeth. Accompanying message: “Whip Your Partner, Not Your Pony. Whipping Racehorses Is Cruel.
Here’s Johnston’s sell-line from the PETA website. I’ve taken the liberty of changing just a handful of words (in bold) to demonstrate how neatly this exactor could become a triactor:
“I was blown away by how these horses live, or actually I should say, don’t live,“ said Johnston. “The horses go from this horrible trotting job, where they’re pulling people around the racetrack all day, to this tiny jail cell in this building that’s like a cramped parking garage. I’d say to tourists considering coming to Ontario, there’s so much amazing stuff to do here. But please do something else. Go ice-skating, see a show, go shopping. I hope within the next year that there are no more horse races.”
Top that sensational scenario with a few colourful illustrations of how the whip looks and sounds as drivers gather the lines in one hand to take proper aim, and you’ve got a bonafide tearjerker.
Listen, I know that racehorses are bred to race, love to race, and that the majority live in either good or great quarters. I know that the vast majority are handled professionally — with care, respect and dignity and that there are many regulatory safeguards to protect them on several levels. From a public relations perspective, I believe this industry could address all of those concerns with some thoughtful discussion and clarification of the facts.
But, as illustrated in Johnston’s original text and the taglines that accompany these campaigns, PETA’s sales strategy is the evocation of emotion. Kristen Johnston sprawled naked on a horse makes you hot, and her tale of woe leaves you cold. Those tactics of contrast have made PETA the largest animal rights organization in the world, with more than two million members and supporters.
Whipping a horse does not fly with the general public of today. I still contend that the use of the whip remains one of our biggest liabilities. I hope the ORC’s review of the current whipping rules will bring change.
And, I hope it comes before I have to drive past a billboard of Fran Drescher naked in a sulky. {Shudder}
Anyone that believes that
Anyone that believes that the general public thinks it's okay to whip a horse is deluding themselves. I find it unbelievable in this day and age that anyone holds to such a misguided, selfserving attitude. I have been a horseperson, yes harness horseperson for longer than I care to admit and I am loathe to watching horses being whipped for any reason, racing aside. It's day is over and thank god for that. Show the multitudes people actually caring for their horses, petting them, giving them treats, grooming them, spending affectionate time with them, do this and just maybe you will once again see grandstands full throughout the country. Enough with abuse and the whip is plain and simple abuse. You can try and color it anyway you want but it won't sell, people are not that ignorant.
People, she took a quote
People, she took a quote form them and changed the words that are in bold, just to show how easy it COULD be for PETA to attack us. This was not her saying these things, just twisting it into what PETA very simpy could have.
Think about it.....people are all over the animal rights thing these days.....we need to roll with the times and if that means changing our whipping rule, then if it brings more customers to the track, we need to change the whipping rule, Simple enough, don't you think?
“The horses go from this
“The horses go from this horrible trotting job, where they’re pulling people around the racetrack all day, to this tiny jail cell in this building that’s like a cramped parking garage.
I feel there is something definetely wrong with this part.
Racehorses DO NOT PULL PEOPLE AROUND THE RACETRACK ALL DAY.
They are worried about a
They are worried about a carriage horse or a racehorse. They get better care than lots of children. Horses have been pulling carriages and racing for well over 400 years.. If they really came around and seen a race they would see most drivers hitting the number. So many are misinformed!! They need to stick to abused dogs and cats..
We all know what PETA is and
We all know what PETA is and what it stands for....it may be BS to us but there are a lot more people in the world that are following their lead. Celebs/media own peoples mind. If you read your own comment (mr or miss anoynomous) "where is your proof that the general public thinks it's unacceptable to whip a horse" - seriously, you think walking down the street asking someone if they are cool with whipping a horse they would be all for it? of course they think its wrong - we dont need a questionaire to figure that one out!! Of course PETA (when they catch wind of standardbred racing) will take cheap shots to the industry, without the facts etc etc...We as an industry need to rally together and limit what they are going to be able to say about us. This is not about running one particular race track the way certain people want, this industry needs a complete make over. We need all the positive publicity we can get, there needs to be stricter rules around whipping, its not just about what "we" (the people in the industry) think is right, its the outside world we have to convince if this industry is going to survive!
Actually, if you want any
Actually, if you want any possibility of marketing this industry to newcomers,one handed whipping has to go.
They seem to do all right in Scandinavia without one handed whipping.
If you've been following this industry long enough, about 20 years ago, Dr John Hayes Jr wrote a very similar letter to the editor of the Canadian Sportsman.
Hey Kelly, just because you
Hey Kelly, just because you and Ted Clarke want to turn Grand River Raceway in Elora into a horse haven for the whipless horse racing society of Ontario, doesn't indicate the rest of the industry or the fans see it your way.
Where is your proof the general public think it's unacceptable to whip a horse?
Did you conduct a consensus poll over the course of the summer at all the racetracks in the Province and ask the fans for their opinion and input to create some stats?
A simple questionnaire ballet in the program would be all it takes.
In reply to Hey Kelly, just because you by Anonymous (not verified)
i work at several tracks and
i work at several tracks and am a fan.... yep informal survey's I have done or had people's opinion on the subject thrust upon me while working or enjoying horse racing is get rid of whipping...... no one who cares about the welfare of horses wants to see that... misinformed or not they are the public that keeps us all in jobs
In reply to Hey Kelly, just because you by Anonymous (not verified)
Re: Hey Kelly, just because
Re: Hey Kelly, just because you
Anonymous (not verified) SAID...
Proof of the general public's distaste for striking and whipping things (except consenting adults) is all around us. Take a look at western culture's current societal values and tell me differently.
Grand River Raceway did conduct a survey on the issue, which polled both patrons and participants. The results were submitted to the ORC for its examination of the use of the whip.
The survey cannot speak to the views of those who do not choose harness racing as one of their entertainment/sporting options.
Has PETA ever been taken to
Has PETA ever been taken to task in the same way that they take different animal-related industries to task?
It wouldn't take an overly skilled spin doctor to make that organization look hypocritical and out of touch.
I'm sure one day PETA's actions will come back to nip them in the butt.
That's a cheap shot taken at
That's a cheap shot taken at harness racing without knowing the facts. I think (er, hope) people are starting to realize that PETA isn't the most credible or knowledgeable organization. They look at something without knowing the details and twist it into something horrible
In reply to That's a cheap shot taken at by Kristin (not verified)
Absolutely true about PETA
Absolutely true about PETA and that's the scary part because our current under-regulated whipping gives them something really easy to twist.