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| Sinmara |
I wonder if people would still bet on the Grand National if they knew a few facts about this race?
That, for example, the horses are pushed to their limits and some just collaps and die after/during the race?
That injured horses are often just put down because they won't be able to run any races after that.
| The majority of horses suffer stress-related lung haemorrhages during a race. And veterinary studies have found that ulcerated stomachs were almost universal amongst racing horses. |
| In an effort to keep injured horses racing, hundreds are subjected each year to painful surgical mutilations such as pinfiring. First used 100 years ago, this procedure involves inserting red-hot needles through the skin to burn the leg tendons. |
(taken from this interesting article
I was watching by chance the Grand National on the telly today, and after the event the presenter casually mentions that one of the horses collapsed and died - oh, it was just a horse, wasn't it... 
A disgusted and sickened Sinmara
| 4 Apr 09, 5:48 PM Wiley_Kit UK(PE), 7 yrs  |
To be honest, its more common that horses (not just race horses) are culled after a serious injury rather than given treatment. Sad, but true. Vet bills are a killer! I know with my chap, he costs me a fortune even with just minor treatment. I can't believe I've no control | ||
| 4 Apr 09, 5:48 PM MMs_lavenderblossom 8 yrs |
I have never been comfortable with the Grand National. Over 20 years ago a group of people persuaded me to place a bet so I did. I watched as the magnificant horse I had picked for its sheer beauty, fell and never got up. It had broken its neck. I sat there with tears rolling down my face willing it to get up but it didn't. I swore I would never bet again or watch the race live and I have stuck to that and always will. I don't spoil other peoples fun though if they want to bet and watch it. That is fine. It is a personal choice. Vanilla sex is like a 99 ice cream - without the flake (me) | ||
| 4 Apr 09, 5:52 PM missscott 4 yrs |
Well, the Grand National, and similar high profile races with large fields, are not good races to bet on because it is pretty much a roll of the dice. But that aside, I hear what you're saying and I agree that the GN is too long and too strenuous. It's one thing if a horse falls but quite another when it is not uncommon for them to collapse and have to be given oxygen (and in this case 'Hear the Echo' died). I suppose the big picture is that races like this do a lot towards keeping horse racing in general in the public eye and the question then is that a good or a bad thing. | ||
| 4 Apr 09, 5:52 PM Sinmara UK(N), 6 yrs |
I know, but I just have the feeling that most people who bet don't have an idea what's actually happening - there needs to be more education. It might seem to some just preaching on my part, but if it wakes up the odd one, then I'm happy. ------ Come to the dark side - we have cookies! | ||
| 4 Apr 09, 5:55 PM Wiley_Kit UK(PE), 7 yrs |
Oh no, I totally agree. Its a cruel race. Im all for racing, but not such strenuous ones such as the GN. I myself, love nothing more than galloping along, but not stretching my baby to the point hes likely to die of exhaustion. Plus, I hate betting and gambling in general. Totally not my thing.
I can't believe I've no control | ||
| 4 Apr 09, 6:00 PM JudyInDsGuise UK(E), 9 yrs |
That's pretty much my take on it. I was a vegan for many years, and all I got out of it was athlete's foot and a superiority complex. judy
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| 4 Apr 09, 6:18 PM skyfox UK(EH), 5 yrs  |
"culled" -- the agriculturalist's way of saying "killed". You know how most farm animals are bred? They're inbred. "But that creates genetic malformities" you say. Yes, but the stock is culled to remove those individuals from the gene pool. If humans did that, we could just as easily manipulate our gene pool to create an ubermench. Like Hitler tried. So why is it alright to "cull" animals but not people? The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. | ||
| 4 Apr 09, 6:39 PM Wiley_Kit UK(PE), 7 yrs |
Hmm, I use the term culled because its more appropriate than saying 'put to sleep' That term makes me cringe and yes, I have worked on farms and I surround myself with horses, but my animal knowledge and work has come through the veterinary route. Where did I say it was right to cull animals and not people, would you please point that out to me as I seem to not be able to find that. I can't believe I've no control | ||
| 4 Apr 09, 6:42 PM Wiley_Kit UK(PE), 7 yrs |
Oh and just to add, after my years of being an evil veterinary worker, I did on many occasions cull animals. Im a bad, bad person. Clearly. I can't believe I've no control | ||
| 4 Apr 09, 6:59 PM CookieMonster UK, 6 yrs |
Yes and you can begin by educating yourself a bit better. It used to be case that 7 or more would die in the GN but due to continual improvements the number has fallen steadily over the years. The whips have been changed and their usage has been reduced, a lot of the steep banks at Aintree have been filled in. Race horses always die, they would die running in the wild also. One died on thursday in the stables, it happens. All this reform has been driven by horse racing fans, the punters, the trainers, the BHA, the jockey club. It has not come about because of the ignorant whinging of animal rights groups. There is currently a campaign to ban a certain type of hedge used in hurdling which is considered to dangerous and un necassary by some trainers, jockies etc. Race horses regularly undergo operations to improve their health and performance, I think you'll find the operation performed on horses you mentioned is to prevent them sustaining an injury that would have them put down. ETA It appears the pn firing or Thermo-cauterisation is illeagal in the UK and ireland. Edited 4 Apr 09, 7:07 PM by CookieMonster |
