Here we come back. In the famous Piazza del Campo everything is ready for the start of the races of Palio di Siena of the first appointment in July. The famous and controversial historical race sees the districts and knights challenge with the horses assigned to them to sounds of claws, but also of whips and sometimes fatal clashes.
As scheduled, there are 10 equines forced to run under the scorching sun in an unnatural circuit made of rigid slopes and narrow curves, such as the San Martino curve on which the main accidents occurred. It is in this unnatural environment that horses must perform, surround them with the cackles of the crowd and the blows imposed by those who ride them.
While there are those who rejoice in taking one anachronistic, ruthless and dangerous show, There are those who put it back on that path so followed. There are about 50 horses who died from 1975 to today, whose deaths have been ascertained and attributed to the performance of the Palio di Siena.
Of those specimens, some died competing on the field after severe falls, others were killed agonizing for the serious injuries shown, others still disappeared when the curtain dropped to the Palio.
Among them was Zodiach, who died in the 2004 edition after 10 forced participations in the Palio, Amaris and Ombrone who respectively in 2006 and 2011 were demolished post -race due to injuries, but also Raol in 2018.
Even those who still have life, like the horse Uncle Frat, It brings the signs of a tradition made of cruelty and uncontrolled lash to the body.
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We cannot forget some of their names nor the end they have made without feeling helpless, knowing that the number of that black list is destined to rise until the Siena Palio will take place regularly.
The data is impressed, but apparently not enough To put the end word once and for all at the Palio di Siena. Not even the story of the jockey definitively condemned for mistreatment has served. Every year, the Sienese Palio continues to take place despite the fact that fatal unexpected events, controversies and protests of the main organizations of the animal rights world.
Enough inhumanity in the name of traditions
Lav, anti vivisection League, turned to Parliament and the major cultural institutions so that Palii, Quintane, Giostre are overcome and the use of animals in events is permanently prohibited.
The Palio is incompatible with a morally advanced society. A ‘ethical’ form of Palio cannot exist, because the problem is structural “said Nadia Zurlo, responsible for the equidi area lav.
It is not necessary to emphasize the absence of accidents in the edition of the moment and even to say to guarantee animal welfare while carrying out the races. Tradition cannot contemplate the exploitation, suffering and death of other living beings. He has to look further, and he can do it.
In the 11th century it is absurd to have to continue to attend antiquated and incompatible competitions with today’s society and its principles. Similar events must be rethought in order to Promote a culture made of beauty and not mistreatment. Montepulciano has already done so, renouncing the horses in its traditional bravìo and rewriting and enhancing the recent history of its tradition. Siena takes an example.
