Aussie trainer slammed for feeding horse beer on live TV
A horse trainer and broadcaster Channel 10 have come under fire after video footage of a mare guzzling a cold beer was aired on live TV.
The clip, which was filmed at Melbourne’s Derby Day on Saturday, shows Wendy Roche hold a cup containing the alcohol to Nettoyer’s nose, prompting her to lap up the liquid with her tongue.
“She eats schnitzel, burgers, fish and chips... and now she's drinking beer after the race,” Ms Roche said to reporters.
Shocked viewers were quick to hit out at the long-time trainer, saying the behaviour is unacceptable in the wake of the ABC’s 7.30 investigation into the horrific treatment of retired racing horses.
“I’m not sure who is in charge of Channel 10 sport but showing a horse drinking a beer on air in the current climate???,” one upset man said.
“Correct me if I’m wrong...... I don’t think it’s at all (that) funny to allow a horse to drink a beer after the race on national tv!!!!!” another person said.
The 7.30 footage, published two weeks ago, showed the horses being kicked, whipped and screamed at while in the abattoir.
There is no suggestion Ms Roche has been involved in any of the behaviour reported by the ABC.
Despite Racing Australia’s claim only 34 racehorses are killed at slaughterhouses annually, experts with the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses told the publication the number is in the thousands.
Horrified protestors picketed Derby Day in response to the investigation.
‘Quite safe’ for horses to consume alcoholic drinks
While Ms Roche’s act drew harsh criticism, it is not harmful for a horse to drink alcohol, Veterinarian Dr Joyce Harman told Equisearch.com.
“Actually horses have been drinking various fermented products for millennia in various amounts (just go to Ireland and see the racehorses fed Guinness stout on a daily basis).
“And it is quite safe. In the normal digestive process the bacteria and protozoa in the horse's gut ferment the whole grains and fibre in order to aid the digestive process. This is why they can eat hay or raw grains and we cannot.
“A glass or two on a regular basis will not harm any horse or pony,” she said.
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