An injured horse was lowered during a chuckwagon race at the Calgary Stampede on Friday.
A horse from Chris Mohr’s team was injured during Heat 7 of the Cowboys’ Rangeland Derby, Stampede officials said.
“Medical was dispatched immediately. After an examination, the veterinarian made the humane decision to euthanize the horse,” Rush said in a statement to Global News.
An injured horse was euthanized Friday during the seventh heat of the Chuckwagon race at the Calgary Stampede.
After six horses died in 2019, the number of wagons entered per heat was reduced from four to three last year due to a horse influx, with the aim of improving track safety. .
Some animal rights activists said at the time that they did not believe the new regulations would solve the whole problem.
“It’s good that something is happening, but we’re far from where we want to be,” Direct Action Everywhere animal rights activist Sean Hofer told Global News.
For years, the Derby has been a staple event of the Calgary Stampede, with over $1.4 million in prize money paid out in 2019.
In an interview before the event last year, Chuckwagon driver Vern Nollin said safety was the number one priority.
“We invest heavily in our horses and crew, and some of these horses have been in families for generations. They are like children to us. ‘, said Norrin.
“I have my son behind me. These things are the world to us.”
With files from Global News’ Demi Knight, Jill Croteau and Black Lough.
