A racehorse has a pretty good life if you ask me. There's probably much more, genuine, animal cruelty to worry about.
General, General Thread Page 2,575
All animal cruelty is genuine if you ask me
I was watching the James May programm about his involvement in this years Grand National. So for the first time I've seen such a race. Every round two or thre horses/riders flipped over. It was like watching a modern version of Ben Hur's chariot race scene. 
Quote: Pingl @ April 6 2013, 11:35 AM BSTAll animal cruelty is genuine if you ask me
I'd agree with you. I'd disagree, though, that racing horses is cruel.
Quote: Pingl @ April 6 2013, 11:25 AM BSTThe Grand National is an unnecessary circus of cruelty, two horses died on Friday.
Quite.
It always amazes me how much coverage horse racing gets when it's, basically, the lottery show with the always present danger of death for the animals and/or the riders involved.
Oh. 
If you start with the idea that people are more important than horses then there's a very long list of things that should be banned before horse racing.
Quote: Sinon @ April 6 2013, 11:55 AM BSTIf you start with the idea that people are more important than horses then there's a very long list of things that should be banned before horse racing.
If we have to list priorities of cruelty we really enter a minefield. It is not a list that we must tick off in order of priority, if something is cruel and unnecessary ban it, end of really.
Quote: Pingl @ April 6 2013, 12:01 PM BSTIf we have to list priorities of cruelty we really enter a minefield. It is not a list that we must tick off in order of priority, if something is cruel and unnecessary ban it, end of really.
Why are you saying it is cruel though? Because there are some accidents? Using the word 'cruelty' suggests you think the point of it is to cause harm, which is ridiculous.
These aren't accidents, horses die year after year, this entertainment is laid on with the almost certain knowledge that horses will die needlessly and in agony over the course of the meeting. I have nothing against flat racing where accidents do happen, but if you set up a course where the probability is that a horse will die then it cannot be an accident, it is premeditated act of unnecessary cruelty in the name of entertainment. I hoped we had moved beyond that, if not, I want nothing to do with it.
Quote: Pingl @ April 6 2013, 12:13 PM BSTThese aren't accidents, horses die year after year, this entertainment is laid on with the almost certain knowledge that horses will die needlessly and in agony over the course of the meeting. I have nothing against flat racing where accidents do happen, but if you set up a course where the probability is that a horse will die then it cannot be an accident, it is premeditated act of unnecessary cruelty in the name of entertainment. I hoped we had moved beyond that, if not, I want nothing to do with it.
With respect, that's just nonesense! It's not set up with the probability that a horse will die... The probability is it won't.
Five people will die today in car accidents... Should we ban cars?
Between 3 and 4 people will die this week in accidents at work... So ban work?
Really!! Flat racing is ok to have deaths then? And the fact it's faster and more dangerous for the jockey is ok too? A horse is much less likely to die falling at a fence than falling on the flat... You are just cruel!
Quote: Sinon @ April 6 2013, 12:21 PM BSTFive people will die today in car accidents... Should we ban cars?
Probably not. But we might want to think twice about forcing people into cars against their will and making them drive full tilt around a course peppered with lethal obstacles, which is closer to what horse racing is.
Quote: David Bussell @ April 6 2013, 12:26 PM BSTProbably not. But we might want to think twice about forcing people into cars against their will and making them drive full tilt around a course peppered with lethal obstacles, which is closer to what horse racing is.
Very emotive but not true. Like I said... A horse falling on the flat is much more likely to die than a horse falling at a fence!
Quote: David Bussell @ April 6 2013, 12:26 PM BSTProbably not. But we might want to think twice about forcing people into cars against their will and making them drive full tilt around a course peppered with lethal obstacles, which is closer to what horse racing is.
That would be a lot more entertaining than horse racing
Quote: Pingl @ April 6 2013, 12:13 PM BSTThese aren't accidents, horses die year after year, this entertainment is laid on with the almost certain knowledge that horses will die needlessly and in agony over the course of the meeting. I have nothing against flat racing where accidents do happen, but if you set up a course where the probability is that a horse will die then it cannot be an accident, it is premeditated act of unnecessary cruelty in the name of entertainment. I hoped we had moved beyond that, if not, I want nothing to do with it.
Totally agree.
Quote: Sinon @ April 6 2013, 12:30 PM BSTVery emotive but not true. Like I said... A horse falling on the flat is much more likely to die than a horse falling at a fence!
That's your argument in support of horse racing? They die less this way than the other way?