Comments on: A Haven For Retired Champions

"Old Friends" Offers A Quiet Retreat For Thoroughbreds That Are Past Their Prime

[hasili-2009]

Thank you for your report on Old Friends and the inspiring footage of these marvelous old athletes. Your information on Ferdinand, though, was incomplete and misleading. He was sold to a Japanese stud farm in good faith by his American owners and they were in no way responsible for his death; they were heartbroken. As a result of Ferdinand's tragedy, most American owners now ask for a right of return clause from Japanese farms before selling them their horses for stud duty. Several Old Friends residents including "greatest horse" Sunshine Forever are in fact returnees from Japan.

[smittypetey]

Thanks so much for doing this story. i recently became aware of the horse slaughter industry and the fact that many horses are beig slaughtered in thsi country by foreign companies for foreign countries. these horses meet untimely, horrible, many times painful deaths for no reason. America's horses deserve much better. CBS News thank you for bringing this topic to light.

America call your congresspeople and tell them to stop this now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[knewsie]

To all horse lovers, do the right thing and send your donation to support this worthy cause and please tell all of your friends about it.

[lucylu894]

Saw the request for an address to send donations for "Old Friends" - Here it is:

Old Friends
1841 Paynes Depot
Georgetown, KY 40324

www.oldfriendsequine.org

By the way when you go to visit Old Friends, Michael doesn't charge for the tour - it is donations only because he loves those horses and telling people about them so much - we need more people like him!

[lucylu894]

Thank you so much for running this story. My husband & I visited Old Friends this past April and to see these wonderful animals up close and personal is amazing. They bring so much joy (not to mention money) to so many people it is a crime that they would be treated with anything but respect when they retire. How could anyone lay their head down at night knowing that a magnificiant animal had been killed who probably earned the money to pay for the fancy house they are living in. Shame on these people and hopefully they will answer for it someday.
Also - nice to see a story on the evening news that isn't about politics or war. Why doesn't 60 Minutes or 48 Hours run a story on this? So glad to see all of the comments posted on this story - as someone who recently visited "Old Friends" I hope that everyone who saw this story takes the time to send "Old Friends" a donation so that Michael Blowen and his staff can continue their good work - every little bit helps!
Fellow Old Friends Lover!

[grammote]

Thanks for broadcasting this "A Haven For Retired Champions ?" Many horses never become a champ no matter how hard they may train or run..Too often these horses 3 or 4 yrs. old are sent off to slaughter for 3-400$ ... Actually they should have a whole life time ahead of them(30 to 40 yrs.) just in a different field. Slaughter doesn't begin at the slaughter house. It belongs with the turnover to a person who doesn't care about the horse.The person we call KILLER BUYERS. The horse to them is an unfeeling commodity. Your horse may go Thu an auction. He may be placed in a feed lot..The rides he takes are inhumane and immoral. There are LAWS but they are NEVER enforced.They are oft put into DOUBLE DECKERS made for cattle. Legally they can be run all over the nation in these things but they are NOT to be delivered at the slaughterhouse in them....but as we found out last week ..they were being delivered in Double Deckers to CAVEL in De Kalb,Il. The police there didn't know this was illegal until people on scene told them the LAW!! Nothing was done and is rarely done !!
I am asking that Katy Couric and CBS do a thorough study and program so that ALL in the UNITED STATES can FINALLY KNOW about the evil business of HORSE SLAUGHTER.
HELP US MUST KEEP AMERICA'S HORSES SAFE AT HOME
S311 /HR503 must be passed by OUR CONGRESS MEMBERS

[bethenos]

Thank you so very much for this much needed coverage of the horse racing and horse slaughter industries. There is currently a Bill in the House and the Senate that would prohibit horse slaughter in the U.S. and the transport of American horses to Mexican and Canadian slaughterhouses. Please contact your Senators and representatives and tell them to vote yes on this critical legislation. It would also protect our wild horse from being rounded up for slaughter. These slaughter houses are foreign owned and provide horsemeat to european and asian countries for consumption. It is not a humane end for the horses that work for us and make money for us.

[spay-neuter]

I'm still reeling after watching this story. I can't believe the owners of incredible horses like Ferdinand sent them to slaughter. I wonder how Howard B. and Elizabeth Keck, Ferdinand's owners, could live with themselves, knowing what a horrible end he met.

Micheal Blowen is an angel and I'm so glad you brought his story - and his kindness - to the world for millions to see.

[nole1313]

This is just terrible--although I can't say that I wasn't aware of the UGLY side of Horse Racing--like most people I just don't think about it as much as I should. Its a shame all the way around, but not even being a big winner or famous is enough to save you--I can't believe those heartless, souless people destroyed Fedinand (and others out there), when they quit making money--should we do it to them? I loved Ferdinand and all the others. God Bless Michael Blowen and others like him. I only hope some day to do something similar. Mine will be one with Thrown away horses and unloved children.
Is there away to get ahold of Mr Blowen so as to contribute?

[pbryar]

This was a very uplifting story. How wonderful that this man has done this for these beautiful horses. Because of the downside on horseracing I no longer will go to the racetrack and support this sport. There is too much that people dont know. I will look into supporting this wonderful place for these horses. My husband knew when I looked at him that I had found another animal rescue that I wanted to support. What a wonderful soul this man has and it gave me chills. I too think I am meant to make a difference in the lives of animals.

[Grayhorse Ranch]

Thank you for an excellent, heartwarming story. It's nice to see these old warriors, and the people who saved them from a horrific ending. It was the highlight of my evening, and of the newscast.

[jwchammers]

In 1995, I "took" in a retired 22yr old gray mare named "Pink Rose". I called her Pinky. She was a 16 hand high, gray thoroughbred beauty! When they raced her, they ran her until her front ankles fractured. When I was offered Pinky, her skin hung on her bones. How could I NOT take her.
For the next two years she was my best friend. She couldn't be ridden nor have foals due to her ankles. Even with Melanoma's on her head, she was GREAT! Due to a divorce, I gave her to another wonderful owner! She still has the same vet!
I didn't know there were any places that took "unwanted" racehorses until this show. I watched in disbelief that those who prospered from such magnificent creatures, left them in the dust! Those who give up these horses JUST because they can't race anymore should be "euthanized" themselves!!!!
The cruelty the past OWNERS show, and the slaughterhouses condone is horrific!!

[smartycat15]

i want to know how to watch the video!!!!!!!!! send it to me please thank you! cathi

[smartycat15]

i want to know how to watch the video!!!!!!!!! send it to me please thank you! cathi