The Grand National

[anotheoldgit]

Preforming animals have almost disappeared from appearing at circuses, and there are certain groups that would have zoos closed, given the chance, yet last Saturday saw yet another Grand National run.

This latest abhorrence saw horses sweating profusely before the race started, one horse refuse to join in the race, and a number fall at the fences.

Apart from all this, towards the end of the race one could witness the leading horses being whipped with vigour by their jockeys.

Can anyone not say that this sport is equally cruel?

[Justincider]

These horses are bred specifically for this purpose. Their whole life revolves around jumping fences. It's great sport, millions enjoy it and the horses DO like jumping. I tell you what is cruel, is a government sending hundreds of troops to die in an illegal war that there was absolutely no justification for! For gods sake stop bleating about a few horses.

[lardhelmet]

Presumably the owners claim off the insurance when their animals have to be destroyed, but I should think the trainers and the stable crews must be devastated when it happens

[Prudie]

I think I read that 3 died on the Friday but I haven't verified this.

[Zeuhl]

I think it's jump racing that has the direct injuries/deaths from falls.
The issue with flat racing is the more hidden death and cruelty that goes with any big business that is animal-exploitive i.e. over breeding from females, killing young animals that don't make the grade or old ones that are past it, over breeding from blood lines and accentuating genetic weaknesses etc. Same with greyhound racing.

There is also an issue with horses being transferred from flat to jumping they are ill equipped for and that is blamed for many of the deaths and injuries.

You may find this site interesting:

www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/CAMPAIGNS/horse/ALL/
1350/

[ganesh]

If they love jumping why do they refuse to jump them sometimes? I can understand them enjoying running but some of those fences are obviously too high.And they may be 'bred' for that purpose but it doesn't mean it's natural to them or that they like it. And why do they have to whip them? The owners obviously do not care about them if they are prepared to risk their animals in these races ,it's just about money.
And just because a war is wrong and people are dying doesn't mean we can't feel emotions for animals as well ,or have you only got a limited amount of pity and feeling
justincider?

[lardhelmet]

Two certainly did in the last but one race prudie - cos I was was watching it when Claire Whatserface announced it afterwards.

[Zeuhl]

just inside her

///It's great sport, millions enjoy it /// why does this justify anything?

///These horses are bred specifically for this purpose/// why does this justify anything?

///sending hundreds of troops to die in an illegal war that there was absolutely no justification for/// the troops are doing the job they signed up for.

The war may well be immoral and unjustified and criminally stupid but sending soldiers to war can hardly be cruel, unless you think our service people are inherently risk-averse or were led to believe soldiering just involved foreign travel with no fighting involved.

///For gods sake stop bleating about a few horses.///

yes Heaven forbid anyone should care about living creatures and their violent deaths when there's a good afternoon watching racing on the telly at stake

[Justincider]

Oh perleeeease! you'll have me in tears in a minute NOT

[askyourgran]

It's all about money of course, the winning horses can command thousands in stud fees, coversely it costs thousands to keep and train racehorses, they are not treated like the poor old nags you see pulling carts.

I read that three horses had died at Aintree the day before the National, and the groundsmen were looking at the course to identify the problem.

[Justincider]

Go and join the Green party and eat vegetables the rest of your life

[ganesh]

Good argument,justincider,NOT

[B00]

It's a needless cruel sport but one which because of the huge amounts of money involved will continue.

[Justincider]

Ganesh I can't be bothered to argue about such a trivial subject.

[B00]

Lovely attitude you've got there Justin...

[ganesh]

If you join in the debate then be prepared to have your comments answered,and animal cruelty is not trivial.

[Zeuhl]

I won't be expecting a good argument to be coming from <just inside her> any time soon!

LMAO

[Justincider]

BOO. I've seen far worse attitude on here about serious subjects.

[Zeuhl]

I rest my case.

<<<>>>

How about euthanasia for retards? That's a serious debate.

[B00]

Why bother even responding on this topic if you couldn't give a stuff either way Justin?

Some of us feel quite strongly about this topic as we do most things involving animal cruelty, so I personally take objections to you trivialsing the subject.

[Justincider]

Zeuhl
"I rest my case.

<<<>>>

How about euthanasia for retards? That's a serious debate."


You mean you don't want to live any longer?