Four more horses die in the name of ‘sport’

Cheltenham has the worst reputation for horse fatalities. There were nine in 2006. This is totally unacceptable but unfortunately the last petition ( I am not sure of its wording) only produced about twelve hundred signatures not nearly adequate to merit governmental discussion. Sadly it is too lucrative an “industry” to be thwarted. More evidence of man’s lack and concern for the animal world.

Aveline

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.

Ultimately it’s the owners who have the final word in whether a horse races or not.

Many owners nowadays are individuals who have made their wealth in other areas or corporate owners, neither of whom have much understanding of horses and have been known to go against trainer and medical advice, just to see their horse run at a time convenient for them. As a social event.

This is where reform is needed if that is to be an alternative to a ban,

This is so upsetting. Personally I can't watch any of it on tv, and certainly wouldn't enjoy going to the races.

Oreo

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.

I think boxing is awful and pointless BUT humans here at least have the choice to take part in the sport or not.

Rules around horse racing, particularly jump racing, have been tightened up, sizes of jumps and how many horses can compete in one race, clearly more needs to be done.

All horses are independently vet checked before any race, but owners can go against most advice, trainers and jockeys will have little say.

It’s an interesting conundrum about horses, should we “outlaw” all riding, including trooping of the colour, police horses, eventing and show jumping, as well all horse racing. I was an avid horse rider in my youth and would be very sad to see all the aforementioned completed banned.

More checks and better safety I would welcome.

Oreo

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

They would undoubtedly be pts.

Horse charities are struggling in all areas, are as the RSPCA, many more horses suffer in private ownership than horse racing, people take on horses with no clue about how to look after them and vets bills, and deliberate and ignorant neglect is sadly widespread. Horses are relatively inexpensive to purchase and hugely expensive to keep.

Where did these four horses die? I have not seen anything about it in the press, but I do not read the Sports pages.

There was news coverage on the TV about it and newspapers did not confine it to the sports pages.

I would not like to see racing banned. Despite what many may think, horses love to be ‘worked’ providing they are well cared for and have the appropriate training.
No doubt there will be enquiries to hopefully rule out any mistreatment of the horses that died.

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.

Yes really

Pam Ayres’ verse about a racehorse making his will before a race is IMO so poignant - IIRC he talks of his jockey being a ‘nasty little short-arsed bastard’, and of leaving his packet of Polos to his stablemate. 😰

I’ve looked in a couple of PA books for that verse, but haven’t been able to find it. She quoted it at a fantastic live performance we attended some years ago.

eazybee

Where did these four horses die? I have not seen anything about it in the press, but I do not read the Sports pages.

Over the course of the last few days at the Cheltenham race meeting.

If racing were banned the financial ramifications would reach far and wide.
Loss of livelihoods - not just in racing and bloodstock themselves but associated industries like hospitality, tourism, fashion (yes, really) landscaping and many small businesses that make their money during race meetings.
It will be interesting to see if the war in the Middle East will have any effect or whether it will be business as usual for the Maktoums.

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.

Not really.
The owners couldn’t afford to keep them if they weren’t earning their keep.

It’s a nice idea but in my experience, there aren’t enough genuine animal lovers to look after retired race horses now, never mind if horse racing was banned starting tomorrow and they all needed homes.

Keeping a horse is an expensive business, even more expensive than keeping a dog.
You need land, feed, shelter, and money for vet bills just for starters.

It’s still very upsetting when horses collapse, are injured or die whether they’re being used for racing, riding or even as we still see up here, for pulling carts or sulkies.
It’s also upsetting when a retired horse that you’ve cared for over several years dies overnight from natural causes and you weren’t there with them.

Thank you Vice Versa.
So four horses died during the Race meeting at Cheltenham.
Pretty poor, I would say.

Oreo

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.

I can’t stand it either but at least the participants have a choice.

Iam64

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.

Yes really

Well, if you know of anybody with a couple of acres of pasture land going spare, who’s prepared to commit to around £10,000 annually on an indefinite basis, Id be really glad to hear from them.

I know of more than one equine charity that could put it to use immediately, never mind when there’s an influx of hundreds of race horses to “put out to pasture”.

Poor loves, they’d be seriously miserable if that’s what you did with them all year round 🙄

Fine. They just be happy letting those poor creatures be run to death to make money for greedy gambling bastards. No apology for language used.

Getting cross with me for pointing out the practicalities of your idealistic vision won’t solve anything, not even today’s problems that equine charities face.

I’d have+more respect for your vision if you were prepared to tell me how you would manage it.

Incidentally how much do you donate to equine charities in either time or money.

I suspect when it actually comes down to how many horses we’ve helped between us, I would be well ahead of you.

Perhaps Im the one that actually cares.

There are far more incidences of cruelty and neglect to horses in the countryside than in any well run racing yard.

Over/under grazing, overgrown hooves, worms, mange, injuries from barbed wire fencing and inadequate shelter to name but a few.

Only this morning I read a plea for advice on Facebook from a local woman trying to get help for two ponies stuck in mud up to their knees. She had tried in vain to locate their owners.
No response from the RSPCA!!
Fortunately she has been able to get support from a couple of farmers.

Ask a thoroughbred if it would prefer this kind of life.

The sport of kings?
The late Queen loved watching her horses race didn’t she? She was at home in that world and her delight if one of her horses won was palpable.

A whole industry evolves around horse racing. It’s never going to stop.

Yes thoroughbred race horses would be miserable “put out to grass” as suggested. They are not hardy animals.

I’m afraid it’s an example of a well meaning, but unrealistic vision of freed horses running across the meadow with their manes flying in the wind.

🙄😂

I have been around horses all my life, including owning many.

DD competed into her 20’s.

It is always upsetting when any beautiful animal dies.

Those who know horses realise that you cannot get them to do anything that they do not want to, regardless of whether you are cruel or kind.

There are too many abandoned ponies and horses purchased for spoilt children by parents with money and no idea. They are not shod regularly, shut in stables with not enough exercise. Ridden badly, etc.

Race horse stables are luxurious, they are pampered, best veterinarian treatment, high quality food, along with stable lads and lassies who adore them.

Difficult issue. Compelling information from all sides on this Thread.
It would have to be a gradual 'fade out', so that the unwanted would not be left to suffer, or be transported for horse meat.

Am I right in thinking that the government ( or previous one) have stopped the live export of animals? I did read something about it recently but it doesn’t seem to have been publicised?

There was an Act passed in 2024 MayBee banning movement of live animals for slaughter or fattening, not for entertainment or breeding.