The Grand National

[anotheoldgit]

Preforming animals have almost disappeared from appearing at circuses, and there are certain groups that would have zoos closed, given the chance, yet last Saturday saw yet another Grand National run.

This latest abhorrence saw horses sweating profusely before the race started, one horse refuse to join in the race, and a number fall at the fences.

Apart from all this, towards the end of the race one could witness the leading horses being whipped with vigour by their jockeys.

Can anyone not say that this sport is equally cruel?

[another-view]

The horses that were still jumping over the fences with no jockey didn't seem to mind.

[jake-the-peg]

Next thing you'll tell me you disapprove of fox hunting!

[Justincider]

Yes it's very cruel.....I lost £30 on it

[Zeuhl]

Good on you AOG.

I agree with you on this topic - sorry :-)

As a lad I walked the Aintree course a couple of times; I know they have 'improved' it slightly since then but close-up the fences were brutal and must have been terrifying for many horses.

I feel sorry for jockeys injured but at least they have the choice.
Some people might claim 'the horses love it' but not when they are lying with a broken leg and so we have a responsibility not to deliberately put them in harm's way.

The entire horse racing industry -like other evils such as hare coursing - exist primarily to support gambling.

Hardly life enriching in my opinion.

[jackthehat]

You obviously saw the grey that didn't want to go.................the other horses could similarly voted with their hooves and refused to budge.

They didn't.

Do you really hold these views, or do you make these posts for the attention ?

[anotheoldgit]

jackthehat

For your information I post to create discussion, isn't that what it is all about?

You have the chance to disagree/air your views, so why do you have to be so hostile?

[Everhelpful]

If it was so abhorrent why did you watch it?

[jackthehat]

ahhhh............the old canard of "provoking debate"................

[anotheoldgit]

another-view
/// The horses that were still jumping over the fences with no jockey didn't seem to mind.///

Yes I don't know why they do this, perhaps it is the 'herd' instinct.

But didn't you also notice, they took the first exit off the course that they came to?

[Everhelpful]

2nd. Request. If it was so abhorrent why did you watch it?!!

[anotheoldgit]

Everhelpful

/// If it was so abhorrent why did you watch it? ///

If one decides to comment on a particular event, then one must first observe that event.

But then perhaps you are not in the habit of doing likewise, or you would not post the first sour comment that comes into your head, without first researching the whole context of the question

[chrissa1]

Why stop there AOG? What about banning Showjumping, Polo, Kid's Gymkhanas etc. The National is a great British Institution. The horses were sweating before the race because they were excited not scared. The flailing whips at the end of the race are more for the slapping sound they make to urge the horses on. Have you ever seen a horse with whip marks on their bodies at the end of a race? No. The whips are flattened at the end to make the noise not to inflict pain on the horse.

[Zeuhl]

chrissa

good question?

do you know what the stats are for death, injury and euthanasia for horses used in showjumping, polo, children's gymkhanas compared with National Hunt Racing?

[Everhelpful]

Has "One" never seen the Race before? I'm not in the habit,as you say,of reading a question that is obviously only posted to cause controversy,millions of people enjoy the Race so just chill out and stop being so controversial with all your posts,you give old people a bad name,yes, and I am 70 years old.

[ganesh]

In the past,some jockeys have been 'reprimanded' about over use of the whip so I'm sure it's not totally painless,but I agree that most horses like to run and they are 'trained' to do so just like dogs in an agility race.
I think the gripe with the national is that they obviously don't like the high jumping and that it's dangerous and horses HAVE to be killed if they break a leg!I would say that it is pretty cruel (and yes,so is fox-hunting!!!!!!!)

[Zeuhl]

According to Animal Aid

"one in every 31 horses who competed last year in National Hunt racing failed to survive the season. They died - or were killed - on or off the course."

[Zeuhl]

Animal Aid again;

"no fewer than 165 of the 247 equine victims were inexperienced animals, or those rated as lacking ability.

Ninety-one of the total fatalities occurred on an racecourse. The other 156 died or were killed prematurely off-course, as a result of injury incurred during a race, because they lacked ability, or for some other, undisclosed reason."

[lardhelmet]

I couldn't watch it as two horses had to be put down after one of the races that took place at Aintree the previous day - just awful

[sandyRoe]

Were there any horses killed this year at Aintree?

[ganesh]

That's really sad.They must be people who really care about their horses! It's time it was banned.Do the flat races cause problems too Zeuhl?