To wonder why people still bet on the grand national

[Springtime336]

-2 horses have already died at ladies day

• approx 200-250 horses die every year in the uk in horse racing
  

Really sad

[kikisparks]

I guess they think their moment of fun is worth more than the life of an animal :(

[MatthewBramble]

What is the source of that figure 200-250 which, frankly, I do not believe?
The figure for 1 January - 30 June 2018 was 83
www.animalaid.org.uk/shocking-half-year-race-horse-death-figures-highlight-serious-welfare-problems-british-racing/

[IDrinkFromTheKegOfGlory]

So 83 is ok then?

[SleepingSloth]

Tradition I suppose. I hate it, poor horses.

I remember when I said I didn't want to get involved in the betting at work years ago and was made to feel weird.

[Springtime336]

Matthew- as far as I know , 83 have died in total at the grand national and 200-250 in all races per year in the uk . I have read up a lot about it , including reading what Animal Aid say

[TamzinGrey]

Vile "sport". Unbelievable that 83 poor dead horses can be regarded as ok.

[Samcro]

poor horses. heart breaking

[Pengrin]

Because they’re genuinely awful human beings.

Just like those who go on holiday and ride elephants or ‘cuddle’ tiger cubs.

[Judashascomeintosomemoney]

The figure for 1 January - 30 June 2018 was 83
Phew, that’s all ok then, because for a minute there I thought maybe horse racing was, you know, a bit shit.

[TrixieFranklin]

It's awful.

[Drawward]

So the problem with the figures are they are not used in context with anything else. Yes some horses die and that is sad but if there was no horse racing there is a sharp decline in the need to have the horses. I bet a ban on horse racing would kill far more horses than will die in races in the next 50 years. The horses are currently worth a lot of money and are very well cared for to protect that investment, if you ban horse racing overnight they become almost worthless. Also its a multi-million pound industry with thousands of jobs and businesses involved not just the wealthy at the top but down to people who muck stables or drive the horses around, so you would be putting lots of people out of work

[Springtime336]

It’s hard to deny that it’s very cruel though

[FamilyOfAliens]

Of course it’s cruel and has no place in a humane world as a form of entertainment.

I’d love to see it ended today but a more realistic way would be to phase it out gradually.

Everything worth doing takes time.

[Springtime336]

Phasing it out gradually would be fine
It would be good if that happened

[Springtime336]

It’s possible to be concerned about both...

[MatthewBramble]

So 83 is ok then?

No it is most definitely NOT OK, but the case against racing won't be helped in anyway by using doubtful and easily dismissed figures.

[SleepingSloth]

A larger number of horses die in unpleasant circumstances out in the wild - why aren’t you concerned about them?

I'm sure most people here don't like animals suffering in any way. The question was about the Grand National in particular.

It’s possible to be concerned about both...

Exactly.

[Samcro]

Soulsista14 yep lets get some racism in here

[Springtime336]

Matthew- you can check the exact figures by contacting eg Animal Aid

[Werve1]

Yes it is awfully tragic that some horses racing have to be put to sleep... But! when you have things like this happening locally i know where my opinions are!!

www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/up-to-80-horses-in-danger-of-dying-after-being-left-with-no-food-or-water-in-a-south-yorkshire-village-1-9600202

that is far more tragic! those poor ponies just left to starve and ie of thirst!!!

[Springtime336]

Werve- that is also tragic

[Soulsista14]

@samcro Racism? Please elaborate.

[Femodene]

Because not only do they not give a shit, they actively enjoy the suffering, they say drivel about how ‘well taken care of’ the horses are before they die, and say ‘but what about ————?!’. It’s pathetically tedious to listen to. (And nah, before the pro animal abusers start the usual script; I don’t consume animals)