Thoroughbred Racing Takes a Tragic Fall

I watched Go For Wand collapse in the Breeders’ Cup with a broken leg: horror. I watched this horse being “destroyed” (that is, killed) with greater horror.

I have a 16-year-old cat. At the age of 3, this cat had a terrible accident. It took emergency care, transfusions, etc., to keep the cat alive. I paid for it, and I don’t regret it.

Why do they “destroy” a horse when it has a broken leg? I don’t understand.

VINCENT M. MISKOWSKI

South Pasadena

Editor’s note: Veterinarians make the decision on the spot, depending on the severity of the injury. Horses cannot be kept immobile for long periods of time, because that can lead to painful complications.