Grand National - is it cruel?

I wonder how many people who think this is cruel are happy to eat meat? Cows, pigs, lambs, chickens die all the time too. And before someone says this is just 'sport' I don't suppose the slaughterhouse is a fun place.

Horses die all the time. It's just that they make news of it at this time of year. Racing folk pray that the horses they love come home safe. People who write newspapers or make news programmes want bad things to happen so they can go on about it. Believe me, the people at Nigel's yard will be heartbroken tonight.

I fear the so called 'safer' fences will lead to a faster race. Falls will be inevitable and the meeting has had two fatalities already. All equestrian sport involve risk to horse and rider but National Hunt racing is the most dangerous. I hope they all get round safely but I doubt it will be so.

Jusst heard on the news that another horse died today at Aintree

seasider; who are you backing? Did you watch the programme on Channel 4 tonight? I went one year but didn't see a thing; didn't even know which horse had won. Our favourite jockey is currently lying in hospital with a broken collarbone after a fall today .

well said Gracesmum. I too will be watching and betting on the Grand National which is the only race I bet on. I wish I was going to watch the race as it is a great spectacle. I hate to see any horse (or jockey) get hurt but race horses often love to run & jump with the others and that is why they carry on when they unseat their riders. Some of the horses get injured because they are simply not good enough or fit enough for the race and that is for the trainer to judge. All the horses are checked by vets before they run and only yesterday a jockey said that it is a shame that we do not care for our children as well as those horses are cared for!

Following around the course tomorrow tegan and you should loose loads of weight

It's a very tiring time of year for me, glass;when I'm not at work I'm studying the form in The Racing Post. Unfortunately I've been eating lots of chocolate to give me the energy to burn the midnight oil . Hence am avoiding the diet thread, but hoping that nervous energy will burn off a few calories .

I think it is cruel. I do not watch it ever.

I knew you would be along sooner or later Tegan

Can't get it to copy but if I want to cry about something it's to see Nipper, last years National winner at Alderhay Hospital this morning visiting the children on the cancer ward. They've been looking forward to it all week and Mr Hales has been planning it for a long time. Nipper has raised £6,000 so far for the children.

News for neptune collonges at alder hey hospital

I seem to recall the appauling specticle of a horse needing to be given oxygen after a race as he was so exhausted.

Is it exciting? yes.
Is it dangerous? (for horse and rider) Yes
Is it cruel to horses? Well, think about it. What are these horses worth? More than you or I will ever see in a lifetime, in some cases. So I do not think owners, trainers or jockeys take it lightly. Horses run becasue of the herd instinct. Way back in the primitive horse that was based on fear (So is One Man and his Dog based on the fear of the sheepdogs by the sheep - do we regard that as cruel to sheep or do we say "aah, traditions of old England)) However, horses which are bred to run either on the flat or over hurdles have it in their blood. The Jockey Club keeps a very close watch on jockeys, to discourage and punish any over use of the whip. (It is actually the movement of the whip which the horse glimpses out of the corner of his eye which drives him on) Any jockey actually beating his mount would find himself without rides very quickly and out on his ears.
So I will be watching - even if from behind the sofa when the excitement gets to me - and celebrating the beauty and speed of the horses and the skill and courage of the jockeys.

Well its good to see you back

Glass i havnt even been lurking ..but i am back

I always have a bet on the National I would spend the afternoon with my MIL she loved the whole day, we used to be glued to the paper making our choices and then send FIL along to the betting shop, so I still have a bet in her memory but do it online now.

london good to see you posting

Sorry but i will be having a bet tomorrow .Its the only race i do bet on .

It is CRUEL. The horses run their hearts out and the jockeys continue whipping them to the finishing line. It should be BANNED. I can't bear to watch either.

ABOUT TIME IT WAS STOPPED ITS CALLOUS, CRUEL AND NOT SPORTING AT ALL , SHAME ON THE PARTICIPANTS!!

I'm often confused about people's attitudes to animals.

I had a work colleague who contributes monthly to animal charities and who saw herself as a champion of animal rights. At the office, I did not participate in the betting on the Grand National but she always joined in, even though it's common knowledge that this particular event is especially dangerous.

The same colleague used to become absolutely incensed when her boss said he was going grouse shooting. I don't really understand why anyone would enjoy shooting an animal but if they subsequently eat the animal, why is that any worse than buying a chicken from the supermarket? At least a wild animal has had some sort of a life before dying.

Lets ask Liz Jones. It's barbaric and unwatchable.

Hate it - what is worse is what happens to the horses once they can't/don't win

One of our DD and SIL regular go to horse races, and I just don't get it

My OH's father was a gambler and even once bought a race horse as part of a syndicate - when the family didn't have a bean to live on

I can't watch the Grand National. Horses being treated so badly that some lose their lives is not sport. I don't understand how it is allowed to continue in such circumstances year after year. I know lots of horses appear to enjoy the challenge of racing and jumping, and I love to see them running free or prancing around and basking in praise when they have performed well, but not suffering distress because they have been pushed beyond their limits.

I also think it's cruel and can't watch.