Another Death at Aintree

I am not a fan of banning I would rather reform and make as safe as possible.

I think that before banning racing, people need to consider the wider picture as to what this would realistically mean for these animals, and perhaps stop using emotive words like abhorrent and barbaric, which racing most certainly is not. Yes There is always room for improvement and this is constantly being under discussion. We have (only one now) and have had Exmoor ponies for the past 25 years, and although not remotely like a racehorse (!) they can be tricky and slightly unpredictable, creatures of habit given to flight if upset. I suspect a lot of protesters actually don't know the first thing about horses!

Blondiescot

I've ridden ex-racehorses before, so I know that they can definitely go on to lead 'normal' horsey lives after their racing career is over.

Totally agree👍

Caleo

MayBee, sometimes we wonder if what we have always done and gives us pleasure is as okay as we thought it was.

Do you honestly think I don’t question it?

I've ridden ex-racehorses before, so I know that they can definitely go on to lead 'normal' horsey lives after their racing career is over.

Just to add, there is an awful lot of unsubstantiated rubbish talked about what happens to ex race horses. I've owned 2, neither made the grade in racing and turned their hooves to eventing. Several friends are involved with race horses and often the details of retiring race horses are shared on fb and they move into new careers. I would like to see a change in the age that flat horses start training and running, it's far too young and is potentially detrimental to their long term soundness.

Nan99

All sports involving animals should be stopped. It is a big money-making business. The trainer of the horse that died said they were treated like kings. What happens when they are not wanted anymore? Do they get retired, a small number maybe but probably most end up in the slaughterhouse. All these animals are seen as a commodity, not sentient beings.

Rules have been passed recently that bans the slaughtering of racehorses to go into the food chain. I’m not saying that people aren’t finding ways round that rule but it’s a start. I looked up ‘what happens to horse meat’ last night because I assumed it went into dog food but that isn’t the case. In many countries people don’t eat horse meat: it seems it goes back to a papal decree hundreds of years ago saying that it was unholy to eat horses. But that was because they needed the horses for war! There is a massive retraining of racehorses programme in this country. If they have the right temperament they are very adaptable because from the minute they’re born they are fed well and handled correctly and have to cope with noise and crowds.

I also thought twice about posting Maybee70 as I hold rather different views to many posters on this thread but it is important to have open conversations about controversial things. What I find difficult is when comments are personalised and made into a an attack on a person rather than on the subject being discussed. Having now watched the GN I think the numbers of starters should be reduced, the distance to the first fence increased to give jockeys the opportunity to find space and I would look again at the changes made to the canal turn as going wide is no longer an easier option which means too many horses are going the "fast" route. I'm increasingly aware of how animal rights protesters are focused on every equestrian sport as well as everything else that involves animals, fish and birds. It is making people look more closely at what they need to do to improve welfare and that has to be a good thing, however, I hope everyone is aware of the long term aims of these groups.

MayBee.. Don't leave. I have until your post not commented.
I too go Racing, my family have had Horses I have been going Racing since I was a small child.
I'm one of the vile complacent Racing fans, that has been spoken about in this thread .
I have shares in 5 Races Horses, and one of the ones in my syndicate won a Race in Aintree last week.

I know they are cared for in professional Racing Stables which are amazing, with care, a Vet on tap with all modern technology to assist any snags an Athlete might have, wish my GP was as good.

Once they are no longer fit for Racing, which has happened x3 of mine,which happened not on a Race track, they are retired all have happy loving homes, we still get updates on these Horses.

Like Politics we all have different view points, no one is right in everybodies eyes.

I have been around and owned horses all my life, I love them dearly.

I have been to race meetings small and the big ones, these magnificent horses are treated well, their stable lads/girls spend many many hours with them, they are exercised regularly, they get the best diets, turnout pastures along with big 5* stabling. Veterinarians on call 24/7 with the best treatment money can buy.

I am more concerned about those folks who buy a pony/horse with no knowledge and then kill them with kindness, overfed, not exercised enough, ill fitting saddles, bits and bridles, I could go on but hopefully you get the picture.

Then there are the rabbits kept in small solitary cages above ground, when in nature they live in underground burrows with others.

House cats, never allowed to roam, dogs dressed up and carried around in handbags, along with my bete noir birds kept in cages, u able to fly.

So racing is banned. Then the question is what to do with the hundreds of race horses that are now not needed? Some of course could go to other countries, the middle east would undoubtedly take the pick of the bunch, sending these creatures into a situation where welfare standards will be below our extremely high ones, others will go elsewhere probably under the same circumstances. The rest? Well they'll be shot and used for pet food as horses bred for racing are simply not suitable for most domestic situations. I presume all who object so strongly are at least vegetarians, if not, a trip to a slaughter house might be in order,there I'm afraid you will see naked cruelty. Perhaps people should be protesting tbere?

MayBee70, please don't leave. I'd like to think people can hold very different views on things without becoming offended to the point where they want to leave.

Caleo, is it really necessary to make that comment to a regular contributor who feels so criticised she’s considering leaving. I don’t believe it is. Nothing MayBee has posted suggests she’s anything other than a genuine lover of horses. She no doubt knows a good deal more than many posting here.

MayBee, sometimes we wonder if what we have always done and gives us pleasure is as okay as we thought it was.

MayBee70, please don’t feel driven away. You’re an important member of this forum. Your love of horses and racing is clear and you’re entitled to post positively about something you love.
I’ve posted about my dislike of the GN, too many horses and a course that’s always controversial. I also commented on my dislike of the way the protest took place. Race horses arent riding school ponies who can usually handle a bit of noise and chaos. They’re highly bred thoroughbreds and flight animals. My fear is these protestors want us all to begone vegans and no longer share our lives with animals. They’d criticise me for domesticating my dogs. Me and my children for riding horses, in my case till I got too old to continue
Stay MayBee

All sports involving animals should be stopped. It is a big money-making business. The trainer of the horse that died said they were treated like kings. What happens when they are not wanted anymore? Do they get retired, a small number maybe but probably most end up in the slaughterhouse. All these animals are seen as a commodity, not sentient beings.

I just wish there was a way of being able to stop oneself from posting sometimes because I was determined to ignore the thread but somehow it’s impossible not to get drawn in, especially if points are being raised that are untrue. And I don’t want to do a flouncy ‘I’m leaving thing’. But the protesters now feel empowered and, imo and will go on to do even more dangerous things. I wish people would feel as passionate about the sea life that’s dying in the North Sea. If people do sign the petition please just think about the long term implications and also look into the long term aim of the protesters.

MayBee70 please do not leave GN due to a few anonymous keyboard warriors.

I’ve asked HQ to remove me ( tried to do it myself but it isn’t that straightforward). I don’t think everybody signing the petition have even looked into the long term aims of the people that protested on Saturday and certainly don’t grieve in the way that I do for the horse that died. I had such a lovely day yesterday surrounded by racing people. And then I come on here and feel hated by people that have probably never set foot on a racecourse or spoken to the people involved in it.

MayBee I’m sorry you feel that way. I know I have expressed my very strong feelings about racing but I don’t feel any hatred for anyone. I have good friends who enjoy racing and we agree to differ. I know someone who is involved in breeding and training NH horses and I know she loves them dearly.

I’m sorry if I have caused upset to anyone, I think feelings are raw so soon after the National and sometimes things become heated. I hope you will not feel you need to leave gransnet because of this thread.

Jaxjacky

You are all aware I hope that Animal Aid have as a mandate no meat production in the UK, plant only. They were branded Animal Rebellion, aligned with Extinction Rebellion and Stop Oil, who’ve just destroyed a snooker table.

That's a bit of an unfortunate alignment. I think that Extinction Rebellion and Stop Oil are worthy of sympathy as they are desperately afraid for the future of the planet and mankind. Even though one might not totally approve of their methods.

Extreme animal activists not so much...

You are all aware I hope that Animal Aid have as a mandate no meat production in the UK, plant only. They were branded Animal Rebellion, aligned with Extinction Rebellion and Stop Oil, who’ve just destroyed a snooker table.

I’ve just spent a lovely day at Kelso races meeting up with old friends and making new ones ( so many people with sighthounds like mine who want to chat). Saw Corach Rambler who was paraded and loved the adulation. But I can’t cope with the hatred on here aimed at someone like me because I go racing. I’ve loved racing since I was a child. When my marriage ended it was racing folk that I turned to: going to race meetings on my own but always making friends with people there. I don’t have a horse if my own but I love seeing the horses and follow them throughout their careers. I’m not a nasty evil person. But I can’t stay on this forum having such vitriol aimed at people like me. Cape Gentleman has come through his operation and is now going to recuperate in Ireland before travelling to America to his owners. Recite a Prayer is fine: he just collided with another horse and banged his eye. There will be more protests this year: horses will be stressed and people will possibly be injured but feel free to support it. I don’t belong here any more.

I take it that, if the petition succeeds the people (who I assume are vegan and wouldn’t dream of buying meat for their pets) who signed it will be willing to re home one of the thousands of racehorses that will no longer be needed? They only need 7 days a week care and can live for thirty years.

Change.org have a Petition to ban horse racing. I've just signed it.