Grand National - is it humane?

[Lynne]

How many horses will be killed today? Not because their injuries are life threatening, but because they are of no use as race horses, after the injuries they receive. The jockeys take part well aware of the risks they face, but the horses are the unknowing victims of man's desire to make the fences, and therefore the race, more difficult and exciting to watch.

Is it humane to have a race where the height of the fences regularly results in the death of animals for the entertainment of humans? Just a thought guys..................

[hopper]

I thought that they had lowered the hight of the fences and taken some out also some are only jumped once (?) due to the number of horses injured or killed previously.

I suppose if you look at it in detail you are probably right Lynne but that could be said of a lot of things ie Pedegree Dogs where they are bred to look certain ways and faulty jeans are inbreed giving all sorts of problems in later life.

Personaly I look at it from a positive point of view and enjoy the race for what it is to me.

Have you backed the winner yet?

[Lynne]

Quite right - people who breed fatal genes into any animal are causing animal suffering and it should be illegal - there's a reason why mongrels don't develop a lot of problems pure bred animals do

Enjoy it for what it is? umm ok if seeing an animal killed, while attempting to jump ridiculously difficult jumps, for your enjoyment, is what you like I suppose, but personally I find it abhorrent. They may have lowered some of the fences but it would be very suprising if at least one animal didn't lose it's life today (and don't suppose for one minute that because you don't see it happen it doesn't if a horse gains an injury during the race, it will be put down if no longer able to race)

[Helen F H]

Horses die in races every day, i know this because i used to book out the vets time and drugs for the Newcastle race meets, both on the flat and handicap. Horses die in cross country events all the time, not simply in jumping accidents etc, and at least at the national there is a vet there very quickly, whereas at the smaller events there is not. It depends on the injury and the sex of the horse, but if it is well bred there is no reason for an injured horse not to go out to stud.

A horse took pleasure in splatting me against a wall while i was chucking a rug over it about 4 hours ago!

[Juz]

Originally Posted by Porg

there is no reason for an injured horse not to go out to stud.

A horse took pleasure in splatting me about 4 hours ago!

What!!!

Juz

[Narked@50]

In no way do I support cruelty to animals, but I think too many folks these days get worked up about thing and blow them out of proportion, if there was no demand for racing or it was totaly unacceptably cruel, it would not be a mainstream sport.

Where do you draw the line? Stepping on ants?

No one is going to make me feel bad about watching the National, if you don't want to watch, then don't, that's your choice, and don't use the argument that horses don't have a choice to race or not. We eat the things for goodness sake, do you seriously think they choose that?

James

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Narked@50

We eat the things for goodness sake, do you seriously think they choose that?

James

Oh James I hope not, I thought it was only those darn Frenchies that did that.

Yes I have just watched the national and I hope this isn't too bold a statement I enjoy watching it, looked like the most competitive finish in years. There were fallers there always is, have any been hurt, I don't know yet as they haven't said. As a yougster we used to holiday in Cartmel in the Lake district and I had a close friendship with the family who looked after the racing stable yard. I enjoyed that meeting each year we went, horses fell and had to be put down by the on course vet, but I do't believe horse racing is inhumane.

Gatcombe horse trials are on this weekend, horses die during eventing competitions as well, but do we get all emotional about them.

Originally Posted by lynne

(and don't suppose for one minute that because you don't see it happen it doesn't if a horse gains an injury during the race, it will be put down if no longer able to race)

This statement is based on what

They have just mentioned all fallers including jockey's are OK

[Lynne]

Originally Posted by Porg

Horses die in races every day

That's ok then!

[Lynne]

Originally Posted by Narked@50

if there was no demand for racing or it was totaly unacceptably cruel, it would not be a mainstream sport.

So demand for something makes it acceptable? Bull Fighting, cock fighting, fox hunting et al

[Lynne]

Originally Posted by Fiona

This statement is based on what

On the fact that several fallers in the national have been put down some time after the event simply because they could not race - and yes, as Porg says they can be used for stud, if they are not gelded, but most aren't..............