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Original poster

Anyone watching the Grand National?

640 replies

PinkLemonadee · 15/04/2023 17:06

Just put it on to see protesters being dragged off the track. Feel bad for the horses in the ring, it looks warm and there's so many people about.

OP posts:
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MandyMotherOfBrian · 15/04/2023 17:18

Maraudingmarauders · 15/04/2023 17:08

One wonders if they'd have also made a scene when the horses were running if allowed- causing distractions and potential accidents.

They specifically said they would not do that - precisely because it would endanger life.

Original poster
PinkLemonadee · 15/04/2023 17:18

Tealsofa · 15/04/2023 17:15

Are you not allowed to be anti racing if you've never touched a horse then??

I've never touched a rhino, am I allowed to be anti rhino hunting? Or do I have to restrict myself to only caring about elephants, because I have touched an elephant??

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Don't be facetious- protesting stuff you only have limited knowledge of, regardless of what that thing is, is stupid.

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sparklefresh · 15/04/2023 17:18

Enfys1982 · 15/04/2023 17:16

Two horses have already died this week at Aintree. One only this afternoon. It’s fucking cruel and people need to wake up. The irony of worrying about the horses in the paddock but being forced over Beachers Brook is laughable.

Exactly. Horse racing should be banned. Would we watch the Olympics if athletes died competing every time?

SwedishEdith · 15/04/2023 17:19

If a protestor gets on the course, they may actually get trampled. It's a mess. I love the National yet know I can't ignore that horses die because of horse racing. And horse racing only happens because of betting and money.

VooVooV · 15/04/2023 17:19

Hospitalornot · 15/04/2023 17:17

I’m worried someone will run on the course mid race.

That would be insane

LubaLuca · 15/04/2023 17:19

user1471517095 · 15/04/2023 17:17

Instead of protesting about probably the best looked after Horses in the world why don't they go after the owners who leave those poor Horses in fields all winter with no coats and a bucket of water? You know, the ones tethered up at the sides of main roads.

Exactly my thoughts.

I understand their need to be public in their protests, but I think the majority of people viewing will be thinking their efforts are misplaced.

sparklefresh · 15/04/2023 17:19

Florenz · 15/04/2023 17:17

The horses run the course on their own, even if the jockey falls off. They love running and jumping, it's in their blood.

No, they run because they're pack animals who move as a group to stay safe. The 'they love running' is a myth.

Original poster
PinkLemonadee · 15/04/2023 17:20

sparklefresh · 15/04/2023 17:18

Exactly. Horse racing should be banned. Would we watch the Olympics if athletes died competing every time?

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Footballers have died on the pitch - competing at a high level has risks for everyone involved and the National has done a lot to mitigate the risks. And again, my own horse broke a leg playing in the field, so it can unfortunately happen anywhere.

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MandyMotherOfBrian · 15/04/2023 17:21

PussBilledDuckyPlait · 15/04/2023 17:15

Quite. Race horses are very well looked after - why don't they protest against animals who really are ill-treated?

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How do you know they don’t? I imagine people involved in this are also anti hunt, anti animal testing, possibly even anti pet ownership if they are vegan and take it to its natural conclusion.

wormshuffled · 15/04/2023 17:21

@PinkLemonadee I've ridden horses, never owned one, there is a racing stable very close to my house and I don't deny that those horses and no doubt the horses that are currently being paraded around are well cared for.
This doesn't take away from my belief that whipping horses in order to make them run faster for the amusement of others and the financial gain of the bookmakers is cruel.

LakeTiticaca · 15/04/2023 17:21

Hospitalornot · 15/04/2023 17:17

I’m worried someone will run on the course mid race.

Well if they do and are killed then its on them

FoxFeatures · 15/04/2023 17:21

The grand national is a shameful race. It should be banned. I'm no protester but I will never watch that race. And before anyone says anything, I've been riding since a child.

LadyWiddiothethird · 15/04/2023 17:22

I hate the Grand National,never watch it,so cruel,turns my stomach.

sparklefresh · 15/04/2023 17:22

Footballers who die are 1. Extremely rare and 2. People who make the decision to play, not animals bred and made to run.

Rockingcloggs · 15/04/2023 17:22

Enfys1982 · 15/04/2023 17:16

Two horses have already died this week at Aintree. One only this afternoon. It’s fucking cruel and people need to wake up. The irony of worrying about the horses in the paddock but being forced over Beachers Brook is laughable.

Just been watching the protesters. Won't watch the race. The irony of the commentator saying 'this race will not be run whilst ever there is ANY risk to ANY of the participants'.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 15/04/2023 17:22

Florenz · 15/04/2023 17:17

The horses run the course on their own, even if the jockey falls off. They love running and jumping, it's in their blood.

In their eyes , it is safer to keep up with the rest of the horses . If the others are running, they run.
Nothing to do with wanting to jump by themselves .
They are herd animals by nature

Original poster
PinkLemonadee · 15/04/2023 17:22

wormshuffled · 15/04/2023 17:21

@PinkLemonadee I've ridden horses, never owned one, there is a racing stable very close to my house and I don't deny that those horses and no doubt the horses that are currently being paraded around are well cared for.
This doesn't take away from my belief that whipping horses in order to make them run faster for the amusement of others and the financial gain of the bookmakers is cruel.

Racing whips are incredibly padded now. They're not the sticks of old!

OP posts:
wormshuffled · 15/04/2023 17:22

Footballers have died on the pitch - competing at a high level has risks for everyone involved and the National has done a lot to mitigate the risks. And again, my own horse broke a leg playing in the field, so it can unfortunately happen anywhere.

Difference is @PinkLemonadee footballers and professional sportspeople choose to participate.

greenlychee · 15/04/2023 17:23

ban the grand national!

MandyMotherOfBrian · 15/04/2023 17:23

PinkLemonadee · 15/04/2023 17:20

Footballers have died on the pitch - competing at a high level has risks for everyone involved and the National has done a lot to mitigate the risks. And again, my own horse broke a leg playing in the field, so it can unfortunately happen anywhere.

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Presumably footballers are capable of making informed decisions of their own.

MsWhitworth · 15/04/2023 17:23

sparklefresh · 15/04/2023 17:18

Exactly. Horse racing should be banned. Would we watch the Olympics if athletes died competing every time?

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I wonder why the Isle of Man TT continues when a couple of riders are killed most years.

Darker · 15/04/2023 17:23

PinkLemonadee · 15/04/2023 17:11

They claim animal rights but seem to have no consideration for the actual animals involved. I knew a women who protested racing but lived in the middle of London and had never even touched a horse.

So people not directly involved can’t have an opinion?

Racing is problematic. Horses regularly die or get seriously injured. You don’t need to be a horse rider to understand that.

Enfys1982 · 15/04/2023 17:24

How the fuck can you compare a footballer to a race horse @PinkLemonadee A bit like the idiot commentator on ITV just now comparing it to Formula One. Footballers and racing drivers have chosen to follow that career path. Horses haven’t.

SwedishEdith · 15/04/2023 17:24

LadyWiddiothethird · 15/04/2023 17:22

I hate the Grand National,never watch it,so cruel,turns my stomach.

Well, how can it turn your stomach if you never watch it?

MandyMotherOfBrian · 15/04/2023 17:24

PinkLemonadee · 15/04/2023 17:22

Racing whips are incredibly padded now. They're not the sticks of old!

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Good heavens, and you have the audacity to call other people stupid?