Three horses killed on the first day of Cheltenham races...

[sandyRoe]

Should racing over the jumps be banned?

[ladybirder]

It's a date kid, it's a date.

[DTCwordfan]

Human deaths have nothing to do with the equation here - they enter the chance to ride, and the associated risk, wih full knowledge. And, before I get dumped on, that doesn't mean that I am heartless as each death or paralysis is tragic, just as in other sports and activities.

As to horses, there has been enough written on their welfare, but the first question is where would they be without racing....these are bred for the sport, not for ordinary riding- some make it across as pets (mainly jumps) - I believe it is far less for flats.

The prime issue asper the Thread is the jumps - banning no, looking at safety such as lower jumps, yes - but then recognise accidents will still happen, just as they do in soccer, rugby, climbing, even fishing and skiing...and many more.

[Kristal53]

No Boo the really lucky ones end up at the Thoroughbred rehabilitation centres where they are retrained as riding horses but these are probably 1% of the rejects. We recently rescued a lovely very well bred filly that ended up on an allotment and was found skin and bone with open wounds on her legs. You could not have found a more gentle soul trusting of humans even after all that abuse. She is now fully healed, fat and happy and off to her new owner shortly but it breaks my heart, the TB racing Industry is corrupt and totally motivated by money to the detriment of animals and animal welfare (rant over)

[cathfromsaron]

yes!

it *is* sad when animals die needlessly or cruelly, or for idle human enjoyment eg. during hunting, or are cast aside and neglected when they have injuries!

*but* i think that if you eat meat you shouldn't complain too much! the abattoir ain't a picnic for them either!

cath x

[B00]

That's a lovely tale Kristal :-)

Like you said ,that's a very small percentage innit? You can join Ladybirder and I come Grand National time and help argue our corner ;-)

[woofgang]

Can I be in your corner too please?

[B00]

of course woofy xxx

[Kristal53]

count me in Boo (shrinking violet that I am ) lol!

[horseshoes]

My best friend's horse, Educated Evans was one of the ones who died yestereday. He broke his leg at the 2nd last jump. I can honestly tell you that he had a great life and was well loved by the family and the people in the stables where he trains with Nigel Twiston-Davies. She has other horses which have retired, and rather than be sold to God knows where and for God knows what, they live with her at home. I realise that people have different opinions about horse racing and I respect that fact and wouldn't dream of trying to change their minds, but I do know that safety in British racing is very strict, and fences have been made safer - a lot safer. Horses die on the flat too, I know not as much as in National Hunt, but I don't think it will be or should be banned.

[woofgang]

Sorry horsesheoes, your friend loves her horses but has them for an activity that puts them at risk?????????

[horseshoes]

I do understand what you're saying Woofgang - I really do, but I'm firmly in the camp of "you can't MAKE a horse jump" - they do enjoy racing; I do believe though, in making it as safe as is possible for the horses (and jockeys), but I don't think it should be banned.

[Old_Geezer]

I think the food chain is totally separate from other uses of animals. I don't accept for a moment that if I eat normally I have removed any right to an opinion on how animals are treated.

[RATTER15]

Horseshoes: "but I'm firmly in the camp of "you can't MAKE a horse jump"

a horse is putting trust in his/her rider. do you really think that horse would jump if it had the mentality to understand the concept of a "bullet" in the head if it falls and breaks a leg?

But hey ho, its all worth it for fun of the race!!!

I keep dogs, I would never lead my dogs into any situation that could potentially lead to them being killed humanely or otherwise, especially as they put total trust me.

[woofgang]

RATTER I was going to post the same thing. You can teach horses to do, and even enjoy, things they wouldn't naturally do but they will have no idea of the risk involved, let alone the consequences....look at puissance jumping.
Actually that makes it worse in my book. As R has said, the horses whole trust is in its humans and they are being deceitful in the worst way.

[redman41]

Make that 5 Horses Dead so far at Cheltenham
Not as bad as 2006 when 9 Horses died