Grand National

[gruntygiggles]

Just wish they would cut the number if runners to lessen the chances of the loss of horses.

A short while ago I had a smile on my face watching Synchronized cantering happy as a pig in $h!t with his little moment if freedom and now he his dead.

Well done to the runners that finished but i am glad my girl doesn't have to do that anymore.

[Littlepeahead]

Originally Posted by Littlepeahead

Treacle. If it runs like he rides I'll be rich!

Wrong - it runs like he drinks. Gets to 10 then falls over.

Got first, to be honest I get first most years, I have a system!

[Littlepeahead]

And while it aways saddens me to see any horse die while racing, I have come across some poor miserable animals kept at riding schools or worse by teenage girls who lose interest as soon as boys come on the scene.

At least racehorses are looked after like elite athletes while they are racing. They get the best vets, food and exercise there is available. If they die while racing they are humanely put to sleep quickly rather than standing in a field starving and freezing with owners who don't care.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by Littlepeahead

And while it aways saddens me to see any horse die while racing, I have come across some poor miserable animals kept at riding schools or worse by teenage girls who lose interest as soon as boys come on the scene.

At least racehorses are looked after like elite athletes while they are racing. They get the best vets, food and exercise there is available. If they die while racing they are humanely put to sleep quickly rather than standing in a field starving and freezing with owners who don't care.

You know what..........I give a massive plus one. I wholeheartedly agree.

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by Littlepeahead

And while it aways saddens me to see any horse die while racing, I have come across some poor miserable animals kept at riding schools or worse by teenage girls who lose interest as soon as boys come on the scene.

At least racehorses are looked after like elite athletes while they are racing. They get the best vets, food and exercise there is available. If they die while racing they are humanely put to sleep quickly rather than standing in a field starving and freezing with owners who don't care.

I also wholeheartedly agree with you. Just because worse happens elsewhere though shouldn't detract from the fact that 2 died last year, two died this year. It is one race. It is a high death count in the name of sport.

I still watch it, i am not anti racing...I just wish the field was cut a little to reduce the dangers.

I heard someone complain on the yard today where my ex racer is that they were destroyed too quickly, but I actually support that. Better for a horse to be destroyed when full of adrenaline and free of any pain so they did the best thing for the horses. Doesn't mean I like it.

If i told you winners now would it help lol

Originally Posted by Littlepeahead

And while it aways saddens me to see any horse die while racing, I have come across some poor miserable animals kept at riding schools or worse by teenage girls who lose interest as soon as boys come on the scene.

At least racehorses are looked after like elite athletes while they are racing. They get the best vets, food and exercise there is available. If they die while racing they are humanely put to sleep quickly rather than standing in a field starving and freezing with owners who don't care.

Totally agree with you, I know a vet who works at the local races to us, she hates having to put a horse down, but have you ever see a horse unseat it's rider and then just stop and eat the lush well kept grass all about it? No they run because they love it, if they don't love it they don't run fast enough and they rapidly become ex-racehorses. I must add that back in the 1980's we had an ex-racehorse that we took on to be Champion Hack at Horse Of the Year and Royal International so they are definitely not all run into the ground.

[DJ123]

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

I also wholeheartedly agree with you. Just because worse happens elsewhere though shouldn't detract from the fact that 2 died last year, two died this year. It is one race. It is a high death count in the name of sport.

I still watch it, i am not anti racing...I just wish the field was cut a little to reduce the dangers.

I heard someone complain on the yard today where my ex racer is that they were destroyed too quickly, but I actually support that. Better for a horse to be destroyed when full of adrenaline and free of any pain so they did the best thing for the horses. Doesn't mean I like it.

The problem with the national is that the 'one time a year punters' complain that a couple of horses die. What many people do not realise is that in the UK there is racing every single day of the year bar a couple. Horses can be injured or be put down every day in racing. The number of deaths in comparison to the number of horses running is very, very small. They've made the sport as safe as possible with the things that are within their control. For instance the whip ban.

As LPH has said, they are treated with the greatest of care in every respect of health, training, upbringing, breeding etc etc. They are top class athletes and well respected by all involved with the sport.

Originally Posted by Littlepeahead

And while it aways saddens me to see any horse die while racing, I have come across some poor miserable animals kept at riding schools or worse by teenage girls who lose interest as soon as boys come on the scene.

At least racehorses are looked after like elite athletes while they are racing. They get the best vets, food and exercise there is available. If they die while racing they are humanely put to sleep quickly rather than standing in a field starving and freezing with owners who don't care.

Very well put, I was feeling sad for the losses again but putting it in context, they aren't mistreated at all and worse things happen to those that are "supposedly" taken care of.

Nicely put anyway.