Uruguay | Sarandi Grande | Long-distance horse race | Horsemeat import
Erste Hilfe am Strassenrand.
Die Pferde werden während des Rennens mit Wasser bespritzt.
Einem erschöpften Wallach wird Wasser über den Kopf geschüttet.
Der erschöpfte Wallach kann kaum noch gehen.
Leere Elektrolyt- und Medikamentenflaschen liegen verstreut auf dem Boden.
Die Pferde bekommen Infusionen und oral Medikamente verabreicht.
The total distance of the “raid” (long-distance race) we visit today is 115 km. The race started in the early morning. At 10:40, about 20 km before Sarandi Grande, we see a horse on the roadside receiving an intravenous infusion. The horse is standing, but looks exhausted. The next horse we see is being sprayed with water while running. Each horse is followed by a pick-up truck to give first aid in case the horse gives up or collapses, but also to splash the animal with water along the way.
At 11:00, the first two horses arrive at the end of the 115 km distance. The horses look tired, but they are galloping. The third one and most of the other horses that follow are trotting and appear to be at the end of their forces. The rider in third place is observed whipping and kicking the horse hard with his heels. Two riders are walking their horses but get back into the saddle for the last 500 meters of the race. Out of the 27 horses that have participated in the race, only 9 arrive at the finish. The last horse which arrives at 11:50 is on the brink of collapse. The exhausted gelding can hardly walk anymore. The pick-up truck following them is honking to speed the horse up. A police car is following with blue lights flashing and siren wailing. Every now and then, someone jumps out of the pick-up truck to pour a bucket of water over the gelding’s head.
At 12:50, we drive to the first aid station where we find the horses that have reached the finishing line. All of them receive intravenous infusions. We talk to a rider who tells us that his horse will receive 26 litres of electrolyte infusion fluid. Many different bottles of medicines are scattered on the ground. Among these, we find dipyrone, which is a NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) like phenylbutazone. In the EU, dipyrone has been totally banned from use in animals intended to be slaughtered for human consumption. It is all the more worrying that “raid” horses get into the slaughter chain.
