Thoroughbred racing has been pulled into the mainstream again, this time by the HBO series “Luck.” The drama features an all-star cast including Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, and has received rave reviews since its debut last month. However, news of two horse deaths that occurred during filming is casting a shadow over the series.
In both cases, the horses fell during the filming of short racing sequences and suffered severe fractures. The on-site veterinarians examined the horses and made the call to euthanize them. Necropsies were performed on both horses, but HBO has declined to release the results.
According to the AHA, production was suspended following the second incident and additional measures were added to ensure the horses’ soundness, including hiring an additional veterinarian to perform daily comprehensive soundness checks.
The show has already been renewed for a second season.
For more information, including a full rundown of safety measures taken on the set of “Luck,” visit www.americanhumanefilmtv.org/reviews/luck/
Shame on them, and I hope they do not have any more horses on the set for the filmings. As they don’t know what they are doing!
This is unacceptable. Another case where human entertainment is put before animal welfare.
It makes me as sad as the next person, but if you think about it, couldn’t it have happened in real racing? But then again, none of us were there, so we really don’t know what happened.
Atleast the network has taken extra measures.
Aww, that’s too bad. =(
Very sad– haven’t seen the show though.
That’s just awful!
This is a great idea I would love to enter but don’t have a horse. Are lesson horses eligble?