to have had a bet on the Grand National when I'm not sure I approve of the risk to the horses?

[grovel]

The Druid's Nephew at 14 to 1. The race will be on the TV here whether I like it or not.

I used to own horses and worked in the racing industry and i can say with complete confidence the grand national is a cruel and pretty barbaric spectacle. I wouldn't support it

26 there will always be people who will benefit from learning the facts. I bet on the GN myself and used to do office sweepstakes, then I woke up and realised I was contributing to the suffering of these beautiful animals. Yes I may have blood on my hands from the past. But I am making damn sure to try and make up for it.

I don't think any horses died this year? I hope I'm right.

It doesn't sit well with me to bet on it, but my dad won £68!

They've just said Balthazar King is up, but still being assessed by the vets on the course. Hope he's ok.

'Many Clouds looked pretty distressed at the end of the race, he looked ready to collapse'

Yeah they said he does it every time, except the one time he didn't have these after effects which was when he didn't perform terribly well in the Gold cup.

Nice

here we go- people (not everyone) who know little about the racing industry and who have never looked after racehorses having an annual moan because the Grand National is on. Yawn.

Doesn't matter how well they are looked after when they die during/after the race... .

It's all about what is "normal" for the individual horse, some horses do puff and blow a lot after a race. In fact there's a recognised condition known as "the thumps" which some horses get. It looks very dramatic but is basically the horse equivalent of the hiccups.

The screens are always put up when a horse or jockey is being treated, it is to give the vets/doctors privacy to assess and treat and is not an indicator that something bad has happened.

here we go- people (not everyone) who know little about the racing industry and who have never looked after racehorses having an annual moan because the Grand National is on. Yawn.

So instead of sneering, educate us.

flamingo
...and you point being?

I feel the same about the hordes of drunken folk at Aintree having an annual stupidity attack because the GN is on. Yawn right back at you.

and is not an indicator that something bad has happened. Really? Do you actually mean not an indicator that a horse has died?

There was already a death today on the course but no one is talking about that as it was in a different race.

Yes I mean the screens are used as a matter of fact everytime a horse or jockey needs to be looked at. It definitely does not mean a horse has died everytime they use them.

That's interesting CaveMum. It looked quite dramatic at the time - they were just chucking buckets abd buckets of water over the horse and had to strip it of all its tack.

Brave horse

Horses should not have to be brave.

Ubik when it's a warm day they quite often do it as a matter of course to pre-empt a potential problem. Veterinary research has shown that throwing buckets of ice cold water over a hot horse will aid recovery faster than just walking them till they cool down naturally. I think they did the studies on the topic in advance of the Atlanta Olympics because of the concerns about the humidity.

They don't have to be. But they very often are.

Although.......my horse will jump a 6ft fence like a stag but he is terrified of ducks, so........

I feel sorry for anyone who thinks horse racing is a good thing.

Breaking News: Balthazar king has broken a few ribs but should be fine and has being taken to the veterinary hospital.

What happens to a horse who has broken ribs?

Broken or cracked Psipsina
Lots of box rest

How's that bet looking Sparkling

Hard to educate those who have already made their mind up.

He should be fine. He will heal and just be on box rest, bute for the pain and some anti-inflamatories.

Unless there are complications like if it splinters and he gets an infection, he'll be right as rain

Will he race again though?

Brave horse

What choice did it have? It couldnt just get up and say "fuck this i'm off to give riding lessons at a family run stables" the horse wasnt brave. It's body just reacted naturally to the immense stress it was put under. The horse had no choice in that.