Another Death at Aintree

BlueBelle

Where’s the petitions ?
Anyone come across one ?

Here

www.change.org/p/the-rt-hon-karen-bradley-mp-ban-the-cruel-grand-national-horse-race

Reducing the height of the fences just makes the race faster. That’s why there are more fatalities now than there used to be.

I know the fences were reduced in height and less horses run now but it looks like the fences need reducing again and the field reduced to 30/35 to save both horses and jockeys being injured or killed.

nightowl 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Sorry winterwhite and whitewave I got you mixed up!

Fallacy 1: racehorses are well cared for. They lead a completely unnatural life, most are stabled 24/7 which is not healthy, they are fed on unnatural diets to provide more energy to run, often develop ulcers from the stress of their lifestyle along with repetitive behaviours (unfairly named ‘stable vices’) similar to those seen by animals in zoos.

Fallacy 2: they can’t be forced to race. Horses can be made to do a lot of things they don’t want to do. Sons will rebel (and be rewarded with a bullet) but most horses are all too willing to do things humans ask them to do - it is in their nature - that’s why humans have used them since time began as transport, labourers, and war machines. Racehorses who carry on running after their riders fall off are doing so out of the same herd instinct that makes warhorses continue into battle with the same mix of fear, adrenaline and an instinct that tells them to stay with the herd at all costs.

Sorry whitewave I know you raised these points and I’m not getting at you but these are things that are said all the time in defence of racing.

There’s a lot of cruelty behind the scenes in horse racing. Horses being beaten for failing to win for instance. The Grand National is a particularly gruelling race. I know improvements have been made but some of the jumps are still too dangerous and too many horses are allowed to run.

Putting animals in danger in the pursuit of human enjoyment can never be justified and I'd support a ban, but I think the cruelty element can be overstated. As others have said, race horses are well cared for, and it seems to be true that they can't be forced to race. Loose horses whose riders have fallen don't stop or turn round but carry on racing.

But what choice have the horses got?

Yes, it was wrong of me to compare humans who can make choices.

I don’t know what the answer is as calls for banning the grand national have been going on for years.
Nothing happens?

Caleo

How can we stop low value horses being exported?

Don't 'produce them' in the first place!!! That is key numero uno.

Caleo

How can we stop low value horses being exported?

If they're not exported they could easily be ending up in high cost premium pet food... that so many Gnetters lovingly feed to their animals...

I thought that when we left the EU we'd be able to ban live export of animals? So we were continually being told by the Leaver supporters...

Kandinsky

A lot of sports are dangerous, mostly to humans.
Boxing, motorsports, skiing, rugby - where will it end?
Ban all sports apart from table tennis?

Sorry Kandinsky, but please, do compare like for like. This just does not make any sense. People make choices- animals do NOT. Boxing should certainly be banned for children- and heading the ball in football for children too.

But what choice have the horses got?

and ponies too

How can we stop low value horses being exported?

You can sign as many petitions as you like but you won't get the Grand National banned because it has a massive and lucrative following. Getting hunting banned was much easier because it was a minority interest portrayed as being pursued mainly by 'toffs'. You won't be able to introduce class warfare into calling for a ban of the Grand National.

As a horse lover and former horse owner I very much dislike the whole racing 'industry'. Horses are raced far too young, before they are fully mature and the stress on their undeveloped bodies causes all sorts of physical problems in later life. That's if they get a later life as many of the 'breakdowns' are destroyed or shipped abroad for meat. The ones which remain sound, but just aren't fast enough are frequently rehomes, but it's a bit of pot luck as to whether they go to a knowledgeable new owner who is able to understand and care for these highly bred and sensitive animals. In the wrong hands they can be a disaster.

So I don't care for racing at all, but I can't see it ever being banned.

The best I can say for the industry is that during their racing careers most of these horses are very much loved and cared for by their stable lads and lasses. No-one works those insane and poorly paid hours for anything but love of horses.

I am sure that at some time there will be calls for the abolition of eventing and showjumping. Perhaps dressage might get away with it because the horses don't actually leave the ground but there are egregious cruelties in that sport, too...

Kandinsky

A lot of sports are dangerous, mostly to humans.
Boxing, motorsports, skiing, rugby - where will it end?
Ban all sports apart from table tennis?

Choice.

Humans have it.

Animals don't. The 'choice' is made for them - by humans.

Therein lies the difference.

... so it's nothing to do with 'banning all sports'.

Never watch it.

I agree with what you say Iam. I have signed too.

Signed, thanks sparklefizz

I confess to having felt irritated by the protestors spokesperson, interviewed on radio 4 this morning. It’s probably me, feeling tired and easily irritated. She spoke about anyone involved with horses, farming of animals as uncaring unaware of the needs of animals. I’m not defending huge operations where cows/pigs/hens never see the light of day but surely the aim should be improvements.
Many animal rights activists would ban children having ponies and people like me from sharing my life with dogs. They don’t believe ‘pet animals’ are acceptable either

Humans have a choice to take part in potentially dangerous sports Kandinsky, animals don't.

I believe that all horse races involving jumping will be eventually banned, but there are some very powerful and monied elements who will resist until the bitter end, so perhaps not in my lifetime. Show-jumping also carries similar risks, but for some reason there doesn't seem to be as much protest where that's concerned. Once again, powerful and monied supporters will resist hard. Whilst I appreciate that the Conservative MP Karen Bradley has initiated a petition, there appears to be a definite silence as regards a clear, party-based political stance, perhaps because of the strength of the betting lobby and the millions of punters.

A lot of sports are dangerous, mostly to humans.
Boxing, motorsports, skiing, rugby - where will it end?
Ban all sports apart from table tennis?

Signed..

Thanks Sparklefizz; signed.

Here's the petition to sign:

www.change.org/p/the-rt-hon-karen-bradley-mp-ban-the-cruel-grand-national-horse-race