Traditions - The Palio de Siena (Italy)
The Palio di Siena is the most famous horse race in Italy. It is a competition held in the Tuscany, famous for hosting thousands of visitors every year. Its origin dates back to the 13th century and its medieval character is still maintained by holding it twice a year, on July 2nd and August 16th. In here, ten horses and their riders compete to be the fastest to go around the Piazza del Campo circuit three times. In the past, the circuit was completed in approximately three minutes. Nowadays, after changes made in order to make the race more spectacular, it only takes one minute.
The Word Horse Protection claim that between 1975 and 2015 more than 50 horses have died. In most cases, horses are drugged with painkillers and vasodilators, being in risk of respiratory and cardiac collapse. It is a very dangerous race with a terrain that is unsuitable due to its many sharp turns, in which tragic accidents occur. Often the horses that finish the race with injuries are sacrificed far from the reach of the cameras and spectators.
Thanks to the opposition of certain organizations which report the cruelty of the race, the Municipality of Siena has been able to draw up a protocol which is revised every year and which provides for pre-race pharmacological tests and increased veterinary controls. Measures have also been taken to increase safety during the race by checking the thickness and humidity of the ground, installing padded barriers along the course and providing a specialized emergency veterinary care unit at the track.
Despite these measures, local associations have already reported that the changes implemented in favor of the welfare and safety of the horses during the competition have not achieved any real improvement as they are carried out by the same entity that organizes the Palio and not by the competent ASL (Local Health Authority).
Although in 1999 three people were sentenced to a fine of 1,500 euros for the mistreatment and supply of drugs to a horse, the culprits were cleared of charges in legal proceedings in which the Lega Anti Vivisezione (LAV) denounced that the extent of the investigation had led to the loss of decisive evidence. Again, in 2017, three riders and a veterinarian faced trial for mistreatment, drug supply and counterfeiting of microchips of several horses.
More information Italian Horse Protection Association.
