Guest Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 so I feel a timely reminder is in order... http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/article-559221/Horse-racing-Why-called-Sport-Kings-makes-sick-stomach.html So many people in the industry told me how the horses "love to do their job".Well, did Little Brick love his job before he was killed at the 2007 Cheltenham Festival? He was in an overcrowded three-mile-plus race after a 490-day lay-off and had never been tested on such a difficult course. Or how about Earl Compton, who had been raced five times in 17 days before he broke a leg at the Southwell course in Nottinghamshire? Or Lochanee, who died at Sedgefield last November? He had struggled in six previous races and was a complete no-hoper when he had to jump 16 fences over two-and-a-half miles. He tried really hard to keep up, then simply collapsed and died. Another horse, 11-year-old Priests Bridge, died after being forced to race having given birth. She was so exhausted she fell and broke her neck. Some mares are even raced while in foal. Read more: http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/article-559221/Horse-racing-Why-called-Sport-Kings-makes-sick-stomach.html#ixzz0kcAXghMy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freespiritbutterfly Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 I'm glad you have put the post up! Totally disagree with the whole thing and I don't know how it can carry on when so many horses are injured or killed!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 Thanks for posting this article, Poet. Horse racing in general and in particular The Grand National absolutely sicken me. Not just for the immense disrespect for the horse and cruelty shown during a race, but also for what goes on behind the scenes - for example the horses that are culled because they don't make the grade or are no longer fit to race and so on. It's a side of the sport that the racing industry likes to keep hushed up, but more needs to be publicised about this in my opinion. Many people genuinely don't know that this goes on. I can't help thinking that if the same number of jockeys died during races as horses, then it would have been banned a long time ago... I shall be having my usual Grand National boycott this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 Yes, thanks for the post and pleased The Mail has picked up on the unsavoury aspect of racing. Every year I decline to take part in the sweepstake at work and they look at me as though I am mad. So good to be with others with the same feelings.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 The subject of horse racing is a vexed one indeed. It has been the cause for heated debate on here in the past and is not a subject that I would normally raise. Living as I do in Cheltenham and having been to the races several times I have mixed feelings. The Cheltenham Festival brings great prosperity to this town. Racing also employs many people in this area and many others. In the past the horses were treated very badly by some trainers, owners etc. I feel that it is much better regulated now. I believe that when you see the love that the lads and lasses that care for these animals have for them and the majority of owners and trainers also have you would see that again it is a story of a small minority spoiling things for the majority. My husband's family have always been interested in racing and we will be watching the Grand National tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 (edited) Not a big horse racing fan meself. Edited to remove drunken jibberish! Edited April 10, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 We were part of a syndicate that owned a race horse - Sachin - and we certainly never saw any mistreatment of the horses whilst we were in the syndicate. The trainer and stable people were always really, really nice and whichever jockey we spoke to always had the best of intentions towards our horse who was only young. He never jumped though. I guess its just like life, there are good and bad in all people. I too hate to see animals mistreated and I certainly don't like it when a horse has fallen or is injured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 I believe that when you see the love that the lads and lasses that care for these animals have for them and the majority of owners and trainers also have you would see that again it is a story of a small minority spoiling things for the majority. So true. I live in a racing town. We're surrounded by owners, breeders, trainers & jockeys, some of whom I consider to be friends. I have never seen any cruelty towards the animals in their care and believe me I'd be the first to report it. Infact I've recently been in correspondence with the British Horseracing Authority because I believed the punishment dished out to one jockey in particular wasn't severe enough and I was on the verge of reporting him to the RSPCA! Horses die in accidents at home and sadly sometimes they die in accidents on the racecourse. The trainer I know the best recently lost one of his best horses at Hereford and lost another at home to a broken shoulder within the space of a few days. He was gutted beyond belief because he loves those horses just like we love our chickens, cats, dogs etc. He was due to have a horse in the National but he was recently injured. That horse is owned by friends of mine, he couldn't be more loved and yet again he'll be nursed back to health. I love this horse to bits too and I hope he makes it to Aintree next year to win for us I really hope all the horses come home safely tonight. I hope I survive the day too, I'm the deputy manager of the local bookies and I'm in charge of the shop all day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 just heard some news on the casualties so far this year... 4 have already died - 2 have had fatal crashes and another 2 were 'destroyed' after being injured. and the main event hasn't started yet... ***eta*** more info on the fatalities... http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/NEWS/news_horse/ALL/2296// Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 sorry but this needs to be said...we're all very concerned about the deaths of millions of battery hens and intensively reared chickens but... ...around 420 horses are raced to death every year. About 38 per cent die on racecourses, while the others are destroyed as a result of training injuries, or are killed because they are no longer commercially viable. http://www.horsedeathwatch.com/ and it's not just the deaths that are sickening, experimental and harmful operations are done on less valuable horses/ponies before they are tried on expensive thoroughbreds. Nurse maid mares have their foals taken from them at birth so they can suckle more expensive race horse foals. Animal Aid have the facts and figures, not just the hearsay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 I'm with you on this Poet. It's not just the racing horses that we should be concerned about (many/most of whom I am sure are well looked after, but also the ones who don't get to race because they don't make the grade or become injured/ill for whatever reason. Many of these are simply culled because there is nothing else that can be done with them. They are very difficult to sell on. From Animal Aid's website: Approximately 18,000 foals are born into the closely-related British and Irish racing industries each year, yet only around 40% go on to become racers. Those horses who do not make the grade may be slaughtered for meat or repeatedly change hands in a downward spiral of neglect. Of those horses who do go on to race, around 420 are raced to death every year. So that's nearly 11,000 fit and healthy horses each year who are simply culled or sold on. Of course some will go to good homes but many won't as racing thoroughbreds need experienced handling due to their temprament. So yes, there is an awful lot goes on in the racing industry that we don't get to hear about that needs to be made more publicly aware. Only then can people make truly informed choices as to whether or not to support horse racing. *Stepping off soapbox now* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 well said LB...so many people like to turn a blind eye to what goes on behind the scenes or worse, deny that it goes on at all. It's all so sad and I hate appearing to be on a soapbox but how the heck else are you supposed to 'inform' people!? well, I think there's enough info on here now for anyone who cares to make an informed decision and thankfully that horrible race is over with for another year so I'll let this slip down the board now as i hope it served its purpose. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
