Grand National- horrific

[Patchninja]

I agree, it's hideous. Ignored it all day yesterday. I also think that horses love to run and surely these races could be made safer. They claim they make changes to make is so, but I have trouble understanding that. Too sad. I think the jockeys will have to take a stand.

[Two_Sheds]

The jockeys have no power. It's the money men who have the power to change things (or the public, by not taking any part in the National, but that's not going to happen so long as those who object are labelled as "animal rights nutters")

[marchogaeth]

The jockeys have no power. It's the money men who have the power to change things (or the public, by not taking any part in the National, but that's not going to happen so long as those who object are labelled as "animal rights nutters")

The racing industry is mostly disgusting in they way it treats animal and staff. It will claim it has improved but it won't tell you how bad it was to start with.

[petal]

I hardly know anybody who admits to supporting this race these days, apart from one friend of my husband who has a gambling problem. The horses run because they are a flight animal, simple as- they obviously won't ban racing but perhaps could be forced to make fences safer, get rid of whips and take responsibility by law, financially for retraining racehorses rather than selling them to france for meat, if they are too slow or have an injury which stops them racing.

[di]

sADLY IT WOULD SEEM THAT AMONGST MY fb FRIENDS, i'M IN THE MINORITY. i THINK IT'S BLIND HABBIT FOR MOST...THEY'VE ALWAYS BET ON tHE nATIONAL AND AS EVERYONE ELSE DOES IT'S NOT A PROBLEM.

[Helgalush]

Yes Di I think you are right. It was a 'tradition' in my family where we'd all pick a horse out of the paper and place a small bet, this was when I was young and didnt know any better. To so many people I know horse-racing, and the GN in particular, is "just a bit of fun". I used to take part in sweepstakes at work and won money on the GN quite a few years. But then something changed, I don't know what exactly, but my eyes and mind were opened and now I feel very strongly against it, and havent placed a bet in several years... I never will again, its just horrendous and I wish it didnt take place but sadly so many people still get the buzz from watching it and I think live happily in denial about the poor horses that die or get badly injured.

[PAULW]

I know lets get rid of the fences, then we could get rid of the whip, Oh how about getting rid of the jockeys then what would we have a load of horses stood in a field, dont suppose many people would turn up to watch that so now we dont need the horses good job the French prefer horse meat to beef

[VirginVegGrower]

My friend took on an ex-racehorse, but you've got to be a fully competent rider to do so. I've ridden him a couple of times but he is still very skittish. For this reason she can only hack out on the fields/bridle ways around the stables. She paid a £1 for him believe it or not. I have another friend who rescued some ponies who were destined for the dog meat trade - she now has a sum total of 13 ponies in her fields - good job she is paid well and has no children! My daughter helps to break in ponies, again destined for a nasty end, they go on to become riding school wonders. There is a life for these glorious creatures away from life's cruelty but few people are prepared to take them on through the cost of keeping them. I do believe we should follow Australia's lead and ban steeplechase.

[PAULW]

Its only Victoria that has banned stepplechasing

[FionaH]

The majority of ex racehorses will be highly strung. Not because they have raced but because they are thoroughbreds! The flip side is my friend owned an ex racehorse who was such a gent her three year old daughter could ride him.
My views on racing wont win me any friends here. I do think some of the posts I have seen on the internet in the last few days are misinformed.
The whips are not like ordinary riding crops. They make a noise more than hurt the horse, jockeys are NOT allowed to misuse whips.
No horses will jump if they don't want to, even if they are in a herd situation and going hell for leather. No one can force a horse to jump.
Horses will run for the fun of it. My mare did it all the time. She would take of for no reason and stop when she got to a road or hard ground. Not fight or flight reflex, just fun.

I do think the jumps in the National could be lowered. It would help if the number of entrants could be reduced too. Having said that I can see no reason for banning jump racing.

[VirginVegGrower]

Its only Victoria that has banned stepplechasing

I thought it was wider spread than that. A start though...

[PAULW]

On the point about lowering the fences I wonder what the stats are for horses killed over hurdles and horses killed over fences, and remember two of the horses put down at Cheltenam broke legs on the flat.

[petal]

but surely flat racing is dangerous too as the horses are so young- skeletal immaturity? As times go by we as a species become more humane, more kind to animals, and therefore can make changes to how we treat them. I don't think one can compare the separate issues of the overbreeding of ponies that end up for meat or the actual eating of farmed meat, 'should we shouldn't we' with the issue here- ie, making a sport safer so there are fewer casualties and taking responsibility for retraining the horses that do not make the grade. This has gone on too long and I find it unacceptable as a horse lover.

[Two_Sheds]

It was a 'tradition' in my family where we'd all pick a horse out of the paper and place a small bet

Same here: I used to join the office sweepstake out of: peer pressure I suppose. I didn't follow racing, didn't watch the race. Now I know about the deaths (on average 2 every year in the National alone), I don't join in.

I know lets get rid of the fences, then we could get rid of the whip, Oh how about getting rid of the jockeys

So racing isn't fun for you unless something dies?

No horses will jump if they don't want to

The horse can't see the low drop on the other side though


I don't think it should be banned: I think it should be made safer.

Until that happens, I won't be joining in. I already stay at home while the rest of the extended family spends Boxing Day at the dogs: I would rather stay away and have the pee taken, than be a sheep

[petal]

I know lets get rid of the fences, then we could get rid of the whip, Oh how about getting rid of the jockeys then what would we have a load of horses stood in a field, dont suppose many people would turn up to watch that so now we dont need the horses good job the French prefer horse meat to beef

nonsense, they just wouldn't breed racehorses anymore!!! supply and demand. I am guessing the same thing has happened to fox hunting?(ie less hunters bred, less hounds bred?)