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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to suggest The Grand National should be banned..it's abuse

189 replies

AnnieMaybe · 04/04/2014 00:25

Watching the channel 4 programme 'how to get a Grand National Winner'

The whole thing is nothing but animal abuse for monetary gain

It should be stopped/banned

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 04/04/2014 07:20

Well said Select

Those comments of yourself are sensible and grounded. I share your concerns about the increased speed as a consequence of the amendments in recent years and like you am glad the Foxhunters was trouble free.

I would like those who find their voices every April to focus their concern on real, ongoing animal neglect, ignorance and actively cruel practice. As you say Select racing isn't perfect but it isn't abuse

I would like those who protest so stronglyaand who find their voices on this subject each April to turn their attention and focus to real ongoing animal abuse about which little is ever expressed and done.

ilovesooty · 04/04/2014 07:22

Sorry, phone typing fail there.

Allergictoironing · 04/04/2014 07:33

A Norrmal horse doesn't come to the end of a gallop coverered in white sweat gloop

Depends very much on the horse. I used to have a thoroughbred mare (so racehorse type breeding) who would get so excited at any events that she would be covered in sweat before we did anything. Actually trying to stop her racing every other horse was a nightmare. In the end I stopped going to cross country events because I would have no brakes, and she would charge off and/or dance around on the spot as long as we were there. Awaits some idiot who's never owned a horse to insist that this was caused by her fear for some reason

Not sure where you got the thing about the fences being 8 feet tall, I think the tallest is around 5 feet, and the tops are loose branches not solid so they sort of brush through them.

I'm not saying whether I'm pro or anti the Grand National here, but that you're not helping the cause by citing incorrect "facts"

ilovesooty · 04/04/2014 07:43

Incorrect facts and hysteria add no credence to anyone's argument*Allergic" I agree.

Many animals and people die through ignorance, laziness, malice or greed every year. But of course they're not part of a high profile annual sports event with full media coverage.

Polarn · 04/04/2014 07:48

Yabu.... These race horses have a better life and care than you or I... Top notch living quarters, physios, hydrotherapy, the best vets money can buy etc... They probably race at most 3 times a year. Plus they enjoy the race, just as a dog enjoys the chase. They woukdn't have got that far if they didn't enjoy it.

Polarn · 04/04/2014 07:56

They're not 8ft hurdles. Not sure how high they are but my sis and I used to climb over the ones at aintree when we were kids. So can't be that high!

ilovesooty · 04/04/2014 07:56

Agree with the first part of your post Polarn but in the interests of balance and accuracy most horses race more frequently than that if they stay sound

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 04/04/2014 07:58

Why can't they enjoy their lives and the race and have safer jumps?

AuroraSim · 04/04/2014 08:04

I'm an avid rider, and horse owner. Do you know how much energy these horses have? They love races!!! It's not abuse. The horses love it.

It's not nice when they get injured and have to be shot though. But some people die in the work place, is that abuse too?

ThatBloodyWoman · 04/04/2014 08:07

YesAurora if steps aren't taken to safeguard their safety and lessen hazards.

bluebizzy · 04/04/2014 08:09

And when they are finished with Polarn? What about their lives then? Some are lucky to get rehabilated and/or homed in a nice new home who understands the ex racehorse/TB mentality. Some are bought by complete novices as they are cheap and then passed from pillar to post as they cant handle them. And lots go for meat! And seeing as you mentioned dogs - they are starved and caged for 23 hours a day before racing so they will run. Often they are drugged with amphetamines. Thousands of dogs disappear each year for failing to get around the track or getting injured whilst running. I ride and I love to jump but I find horse racing and dog racing cruel and unecessary.

OTheHugeManatee · 04/04/2014 08:12

Yawn. This thread happens every year.

YABU.

Treaclepot · 04/04/2014 08:12

Whilst I agree with you about the National, your arguement is so so much weaker because you happily eat meat. Have you heard the noise pigs make as they go to slaughter, the are scared its horrible.

In fact I would prefer to die as a horse in ignorance, the horses enjoy the race, pigs don't enjoy being reared to be killed.

ThatBloodyWoman · 04/04/2014 08:13

That the horses are well looked after is the usual excuse trotted out, for exposing them to real danger for people's pleasure.

Apply that to people.It's not right is it?

ThatBloodyWoman · 04/04/2014 08:27

Treacle I strongly disagree.

I am veggie, but still animals being killed in the name if 'sport' is very different from animals being killed for food.

Personally I'd rather neither happened.

Stinkyminkymoo · 04/04/2014 08:28

YABU. Horse racing is pretty unpleasant full stop.

They start racing at 2 years old (to put this into perspective, a normal riding horse usually gets taught to have a rider on at 3 or 4) and they are far from fully developed Hmm

The waste is horrendous. There are so many thoroughbreds that don't make the grade or do and then get injured. Have you ever wondered where they go? If they're lucky they get retrained and set to a lovely new home. If they're not, well, you can imagine Hmm

At least the industry makes a shit load of money off them eh?

Polarn · 04/04/2014 08:30

I wasn't talking about dog racing bluebizzy, but just that horses love to run just like dogs (down at the beach e.g.)....So what if they are then killed for meat after leading a great millionaires life?

Polarn · 04/04/2014 08:32

Plus those they shouldn't be getting sold to novices. If that is the case then there is a problem with the owner, not the sport.

Greydog · 04/04/2014 08:43

Any one who has the misfortune to live near a racecourse hates the races. But that's mainly because of the crowds of ignorant drunken arseholes that this "sport" attracts. Working in Chester is a nightmare when the races are on. Rude, ignorant people abound, yet we are told it's good for the economy. How so? Extra police, extra work at the hospitals, mounds of extra litter and then theres the dozens of portaloos installed throughout the town to stop the punters pissing in the street. Horse racing is horrible - we don't use other animals in circuses, but this sort of abuse is ok for horses and greyhounds.

Cinderelephant · 04/04/2014 09:36

YANBU

Allergictoironing · 04/04/2014 09:38

They start racing at 2 years old (to put this into perspective, a normal riding horse usually gets taught to have a rider on at 3 or 4) and they are far from fully developed

That's dependant on breed - Thoroughbred horses mature much faster than the heavier built breeds.

SelectAUserName · 04/04/2014 09:49

Fanjo There have been significant changes to the National fences in particular and fences in general to try to make them safer. On the national course some fences have been lowered, landings have been levelled off, the construction of the core of the fences has been changed to make them more 'slitherable' over, the distance from the start to the first fence has been altered to try to prevent the cavalry charge when the tapes go up. Elsewhere there are trials of different types of hurdle taking place, the second-last fence at Cheltenham was re-sited a couple of years ago so it is on less of a downhill slope, Haydock uses softer portable fences. The qualification criteria for the race has been tightened up - a horse must have proven its ability to stay at least 3 miles, the jockey must have won a minimum amount of steeplechase races before either can take part. Lots of changes and trials going on all in the quest for a safer sport, but it is a sport which takes place at speed and speed carries an inherent risk.

As I said earlier, no-one in racing wants to see horses die. If anyone has the impression that everyone just shrugs and turns away when a horse is killed in a race, they are wrong. Throughout the year there are enquiries into incidents, consultations with vets and welfare associations, meetings and debates to review and propose changes, trials into different materials, veterinary research into the limits of equine speed and endurance etc. These all have to be carefully considered; a kneejerk reaction could do more harm than good, but they are all ongoing.

SelectAUserName · 04/04/2014 09:53

And to pick up on the 2yo point: Grand National horses are unlikely to have started racing at two, as National Hunt horses start later than Flat horses, the latter having been selectively bred over centuries to mature quicker and earlier than leisure or draught breeds. A horse cannot run in a steeplechase until it is at least four (most will be 5/6yo), and horses are not allowed to run in the National until they are at least seven.

bigdog888 · 04/04/2014 10:06

Bets just placed - looking forward to it!

angelos02 · 04/04/2014 10:08

I assume OP is a vegan & doesn't wear leather.

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