Four more horses die in the name of ‘sport’

It's tragic and very wrong.

Imagine the outcry if four sprinters died during an athletics tournament.

I agree! It is not sport it is cruelty.

Well if that happened BoggleMind at least they'd have made the decision to compete themselves, a choice these magnificent animals don't have.

Oh no. So very sorry to hear this. Poor animals shouldn't die in the name of 'sport'.

BoggledMind

It's tragic and very wrong.

Imagine the outcry if four sprinters died during an athletics tournament.

I say this time and time again - can you imagine the reaction if it had been four jockeys who had died?

This is so sad, such magnificent animals forced to race themselves to the point of death for the gratification of a group of people who would probably describe themselves as animal lovers.
This should not be permitted in this day and age, is positively barbaric.

I've been online petitioning for years, several times a year, to try to get it banned, but the scumbags won't, as they only care about themselves and the money. They don't give a hoot about all the gorgeous horses they torture and murder.

The same with I'm a Celebrity, and others similar, I've been doing the same to try to get those vile things banned too.

They’re race horses, it’s what they do, and they have pretty nice lives and are well taken care of.
If a race horses breaks a leg they are put to sleep usually and sometimes either after or during a race a horse drops dead unexpectedly, a bit like happens to often young people, playing football.Heart problems undiagnosed.
So what would posters like, steeplechase to be banned or flat racing or all? What would happen to all the thousands of race horses?

There would be no need to breed horses for racing.

But what about the thousands already alive and active?

They wouldn’t be wanted so would have to be put down.

Aveline

Oh no. So very sorry to hear this. Poor animals shouldn't die in the name of 'sport'.

In the name of money, more like.

I watched the Gold Cup and the horse that collapsed and died after the race clearly wasn’t up to it.

Yes it's all about money. Current horses could be put out to grass. Lots of genuine animal lovers out there who would happily help financially and physically to look after these horses into a dignified and kind old age.

Really?!

Oreo

They’re race horses, it’s what they do, and they have pretty nice lives and are well taken care of.
If a race horses breaks a leg they are put to sleep usually and sometimes either after or during a race a horse drops dead unexpectedly, a bit like happens to often young people, playing football.Heart problems undiagnosed.
So what would posters like, steeplechase to be banned or flat racing or all? What would happen to all the thousands of race horses?

Yes, race horses are well looked after - but have you actually seen the footage from Cheltenham? Envoi Allen was pushed way past the point of exhaustion, so much so that he collapsed and died.
This was not some undiagnosed heart problem - this was a horse pushed way beyond his limits, for absolutely no reason. As I say, if four jockeys had died instead of four horses, there would be national outrage. You just need to read the comments on the likes of X (Twitter) from punters outraged at their bets being lost because of these horses to see that they are seen as just a commodity.

Aveline

There would be no need to breed horses for racing.

I do think race horses are an example of over-breeding for a purpose. Much like show dogs.

I can’t help wondering where we draw the line though. I mean, if we stop breeding horses for that purpose, do we stop breeding horses altogether?

We don’t actually need them for anything. They are all kept for human pleasure and purpose.

Do we just have a small body of “wild” ones? But that would be for our pleasure too.

A philosophical musing but where does it take us if we follow it through to its conclusion.

We don't 'need' horses? Really? What about police horses, for instance? You could argue that there are many things which we don't 'need', but the world would be a very bleak place without horses - which bring so much joy and pleasure to so many people (Riding for the Disabled, to cite just one example). Not to mention the many equine-related jobs which would be lost.

Aveline

Yes it's all about money. Current horses could be put out to grass. Lots of genuine animal lovers out there who would happily help financially and physically to look after these horses into a dignified and kind old age.

I think that’s a bit starry-eyed Aveline. It costs thousands a year to keep a horse in pasture, feed and medical expenses, especially thoroughbreds.

Equine charities can’t always support those they have now.

They certainly couldn’t deal with an influx from racing.

ViceVersa

We don't 'need' horses? Really? What about police horses, for instance? You could argue that there are many things which we don't 'need', but the world would be a very bleak place without horses - which bring so much joy and pleasure to so many people (Riding for the Disabled, to cite just one example). Not to mention the many equine-related jobs which would be lost.

You’re preaching to the converted as far as horses and donkeys are concerned. My life would have been poorer without them.

But you are still talking about horses for human pleasure and purpose, which is what race horses are.

So where is the line? At what point do we say’But this is a different pleasure or purpose”.

Lathyrus3 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

The only sport I would like to see banned is boxing, both for men and women.Two people intentionally trying to cause injuries to each other, often very serious.

Could the rules for racing be tightened up a lot? eg if a horse dies during or immediately after a race could that trainer be banned from entering a horse in the next 10 races? That would force more genuine care of these poor creatures. If it means less races and thus less betting then so be it.

Oreo an old Dr I knew, when he was doing national service, refused to pass any of the men in his regiment fit to box in a tournament. He said that no human is fit to hit another on the face or head. A man of principle. He didn't care how unpopular it made him. Good old Dr Mercer.

BoggledMind

It's tragic and very wrong.

Imagine the outcry if four sprinters died during an athletics tournament.

That would be entirely their choice though.

I’m so sad these four horses died, it’s awful!

Sadly, I do enjoy racing and show jumping events, but not when this happens. I feel so sad.

Many stables do treat their race horses very well indeed, but I’m aware that there are still some who do t.

Maybe time to re think jump courses and only have flat racing?

I know many would rather have all horse racing and events completely banned, and I do see their side of this argument too.