The grand national is cruel to horses

[McHappyPants2012]

Alot of the horses will be injured and whipped into going faster, it's also a long race course.

I can't believe people would bet on this event

So the whip 'rule' is basically down to someone's opinion on the matter then. Someone who is going to be biased anyway.

MissBetsyTrotwood, Just wanted to acknowledge your post. Glad you have your dog and you are happy.

I said it yesterday and I'll say it again today 'it is a disgrace on this country'. Just about everyone here predicted that horses would die today and surprise surprise they did - just like Cheltenham and just like every other year.

Oh well, never mind - always fun to have a flutter heh!

Today was the first day I was subjected to such horror which was the grand national. Couldn't enjoy it

An Italian footballer died today on the pitch. Fabrice Muamba nearly died last month. Shall we ban football?

chubfuddler - idiotic comparison. Pretty sure that footballer plays through his own choice.

And if a strange twist of events meant he didn't, he didn't nearly die because football is dangerous... It was underlying health issues.

Footballers have a choice to play! The poor horses dont!!!

I refused to bet on it today. I've only been legally allowed to bet for a few years but I have never bet on the grand national. I was appalled when two horses died last year. For it to happen again this year is sickening. I can't believe this is allowed in civilized society.

Everything is idiotic according to this thread if you don't think horse racing us the most evil thing ever.

Tragic that horses died today and I dont think you will find anyone more upset than the owners/trainer/jockey/stable team involved.

However we are a family that love racing we all (including the kids) had bets today and enjoyed the racing boys we're particulary happy to get their each way money back from Seabass which has doubled their pocket money.

After a few days this thread will be lost amongst the Mother in Law/Wedding/Craphusband/anti yoummymummy threads that occupy much of AIBU and any thoughts of "Ban horse racing" will not be seen until next years Grand National when then thread will be a repeat of this one!

Indeed.

"Everything is idiotic according to this thread if you don't think horse racing us the most evil thing ever"

What a stupid post!

No, it was just a very stupid comparison. You know yourself that it is. No-one is that moronic.

That kind of proves my point actually.

My dh put a bet on for us, against my better judgement. We watched it as a family, which is something he enjoyed doing as a child. I found it uncomfortable viewing and I cried when the horses started to fall. My 6 year old son got upset too.

I regret putting a bet on, and it's not something I'll be doing again. Nor will I be watching it again.

It proves no point.

How is a human being who has the choice to do something the same as a horse who is forced to do something.

So dont, dont watch it, dont bet on it job done.
I however will watch it, bet on it and enjoy it.

Please can you clarify your point actually chubfuddler.

The RSPCA are among those campaigning to improve the welfare of race horses. Some changes so far are listed below, and they are a start - but there's a long way to go yet, and they need further support to press successfully for more changes.

A quote from www.rspca.org.uk/media/news/story/-/article/Equine_Inspectors_Grand_National

"We?ve successfully worked closely with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the management of Aintree in recent years to introduce a number of welfare improvements including the following.

The provision of going no faster than good.
 
Jumps have been modified to make them safer and more inviting for horses.
 
The introduction of shock absorbent whips.
 
New whip rules which restrict the number of times a jockey can use the whip during a race.
 
Pre-race veterinary inspections for all horses.
 
Run-out areas have been created to allow loose horses to leave the course safely.
 
Tighter entry controls for horses and riders, for example no amateur jockeys are permitted, handicap levels have been raised and the BHA can declare any horse unfit.
 
Rubberised walkways to prevent horses slipping and getting injured.
 
Jockeys can no longer remount horses if they have fallen."

My point is many on this thread have chosen to descend to the level of being insulting about the intelligence of those who don't agree with them.

All you armchair activists who will forget all about this until next year, I assure you no one feels worse right now than the owners of According to Pete and Synchronised. Are they wishing they hadn't run them? Of course they are. If saying I told you so to the bereaved makes you feel good, do carry on.

The don't watch it argument ... but if a tree falls in the forest, it does actually make a sound, doesn't it?

Derpette you can't forse a horse to run and jump - they love it. The ones that don't never make to the racecourse - they end up as meat.

The don't watch it argument is just about as stupid an argument as I have ever heard.

I don't watch bear-baiting, I don't watch animals being skinned alive for their fur in China, I don't watch cock fighting.

oops - force

BBQJUly, I don't undertand that part about no amateur riders. Upthread two posters said that Miss Katie Walsh was an amateur.

Dont watch it was NOT an argument it was a fact. I dont like sanctimonious vegetarians and overt feminists they still exsist I just choose not to include them in my life.