That the Grand National should end

“Racing will never stop, it is the sport of kings after all.
And there is SO much money in it.”

That about sums it up. Utterly repulsive.

Except horses don't want to be treated like royalty, they need to be treated like horses. That means living out in herds with plenty to eat. Racehorses lead an unnatural life, that's why over 90% in training have ulcers.
For 30 years I have had ex-racers. They all arrive mentally scarred and it takes months/years to get them to re-adjust.
Horses are herd animals heaven why they keep running in a race, it isn't because they like it! They are prey animals that's why they will keep running with broken legs etc.

Is everything about not being injured and well groomed?

What would you rather? Live your life in a prison being fed by another with no free will or choice, have people sit on your back and force you to wear crap on your mouth and back, or be free and get injured occasionally and not be primped and plaited like a toy doll, but rather be able to go where you want when you want and eat what you want and be left alone, and able to mix with who you like?

Racehorses do NOT live fantastic lives, by any stretch of the imagination. They are prisoners and have to do exactly what they are told.

Completely agree OP.
I would be happy to see all horse racing banned. The public think ( if they think about welfare at all) that the horses live in luxury but for the vast majority the opposite is true.

It's possible to care about more than one thing at a time.

Humans injure themselves going about their business every day.
It doesn't mean that decent people want to watch it on TV for sport and place bets on who will fall of a ladder or who will die on the motorway.

I hate it and can't watch it. It should be banned.

To be fair though, the horse isn't carrying a whip.

Same for me.

Not sure how it's allowed really.

If we’re banning horse racing, we should be banning horse riding full stop. They don’t need us sitting on their backs. Camel and elephant riding is frowned upon and deemed cruel, same applies to horses.

I believe all horse racing should be banned, as well as greyhound racing and any other cruel animal sports. Honestly what the human race does for fun is just plain cruel and we should be ashamed of ourselves.

The fatality rate is 0.4% for steeplechasing. The GN has had 62 fatalities since 2000, which is more like 4%.

@Concannon88

"I feel cringe admitting this, but since we are on the topic - I outright refuse to date anyone who thinks horse or dog racing is acceptable"

Nah - no cringe there, seems like a perfectly rational choice not to want to date someone that derives entertainment from the suffering of animals.

I’ve always hated horse racing with a passion. To be honest I hate horse ownership as well. In all my years, no one has ever given me an explanation that sits well with me for either.

For example: Horses in captivity live longer. So would most wild animals. What is the point in a long, healthy life if it’s on someone else’s terms? Always ask a horse owner if they would like to live that life. Restricted to a stable and a field. We choose who you get to meet, what you eat. Every single day of your life. But it’s ok as you’ll live longer and be healthy! 😒

I remember as a young teen seeing horses running on riderless in the GN like they were zombies. Others falling. Being shot. Whilst twats in hats quaffed champers, fluttered cash and guffawed. Utterly sickening.

@VenetiaHallisWellPosh it has been changed multiple times in recent years - the fences have been altered and it bears little resemble to the race that, for example, Red Rum won.

The lower age limit for horses has been raised.

Horses have to have had a minimum number of races (to gain experience) in order to run.

Fences have been lowered.

This year the maximum number of runners has been dropped from 40 to 34.

It’s far from the most important race in the calendar though, there are plenty of more significant races throughout the year. It’s just the race that the public recognise the most.

It should end, or at least be changed to reduce fatalities.

But it's also the biggest event in the horse racing calendar so...it won't.

Absolutely, and despite our sometimes differing views I've every respect for the people who do care all year round and put real effort in to trying to change things. The race itself has been made safer which can only be a good thing and they have had their part to play in that . It's just the ones who jump on the bandwagon in March and April having not given the sport a second thought the rest of the year that irritate me.

Kids in Bangladeshi sweat shops making footballs.- we probably should?

Humans consent to those sports, it’s not comparable.

YANBU OP detest animal cruelty, unfortunately many humans enjoy a bit of suffering whether it be animal or children- humans don’t give a shit.

Same here. They can get in the bin

Only low life knuckle dragging skanks support animal cruelty

@FestiveAuntFanny

because human adults can weigh up the risks and decide for themselves, horses cannot.

@BrendaSmall

Was there really any need??

some of us are greatly concerned at how many horses DIE for this race. Obviously you don't care about the horses, that's up to you and your conscience, but was there any need to post that??

There was a good 3 or 4 years where no horses were killed (in the main race anyway) because they were supposed to have made the course safer-so I did bet those years and all horses and riders got back safe. Then the last time I bet on it the horse I chose fell (through no fault of his own, another fell in front of him- he'd raced before and always finished the course) he wasn't injured but it was a worry he might've been at first. After that I decided I won't bet on it anymore because even that was really upsetting. I try and avoid it now because the last time I watched the news to make sure all horses got back safe praying for that but sadly one had indeed been killed 😢