Horse died of aneurysm

Autopsy shows burst blood vessel caused collapse that killed two others

CALGARY – An autopsy has revealed what caused a horse to collapse and die at the Calgary Stampede Thursday night, leading to a crash that killed two others and hurt one more.

The wall of a major blood vessel leading away from the heart weakened and then burst, causing blood to fill the horse’s abdomen, Stampede officials said in a statement Friday afternoon.

“The left lead horse experienced a ruptured aortic aneurysm, leading to sudden internal bleeding and explains why the horse faltered, weakened and then collapsed,” said chief veterinarian Greg Evans.

Evans said the pre-existing condition is undetectable and could have ruptured at any time during exercise.

When the horse collapsed, it caused a crash injuring two others so badly they were euthanized on the track. A fourth horse needed surgery and is expected to survive.

Driver Chad Harden was thrown into the air along with an outrider, neither of whom were hurt.

Harden, who was devastated by the crash, has been told of the autopsy results.

Toxicology and drug testing will be done to find out if there were any other factors involved.

The autopsy results will be used to suggest improvements to the Stampede’s Fitness to Compete veterinary program.

In a statement, the Calgary Stampede insisted they care deeply about the welfare and well-being of the animals and do everything they can to mitigate horse and rider injuries.

But Peter Fricker, a spokesman for the Vancouver Humane Society animal welfare group, said earlier Friday it wants the Stampede’s chuckwagon races stopped.

“We think that there’s something more fundamentally wrong with the race and we’re calling for a suspension of the chuckwagon races and a full and fundamental safety review to be conducted.”

Stampede spokesman doug Fraser criticized the VHS, calling them an “activist group with an activist agenda,” and saying the Stampede relies “on the advice from heavy animal experts.”

The Calgary Humane Society has taken a different tack.

“I believe honestly that the Calgary Stampede has worked diligently to make these events as safe as possible,” said spokeswoman Christy Thompson, adding that CHS officers are present for all events to help the Stampede make “educated changes” to enhance safety.

The Stampede introduced new safety rules last year after six horses died in 2010, including more veterinary inspections, mandatory rest days and fewer outriders on the track.

“These horses are cared for. They are loved by the drivers themselves and there’s no question it’s a tragedy for these families,” Fraser said.