To think horse racing is cruel?

[alwaysncxx]

Got very upset watching some of the horses fall today at Cheltenham

I can't help but feel sad when it happens.

Yes, YABU.

If a horse doesn't want to race, it doesn't. It's big enough and strong enough to refuse.

@bridgetreilly

Why were you watching Cheltenham if you think it is cruel?

It’s definitely cruel.

It's big enough and strong enough to refuse.

yes because large animals are never forced to do things against their will.

@Whatsforu DPs had it on when I was visiting

My husbands been carrying big sheets of metal about all day , is that cruel too?

@ILoveMaxiBondi I think it is cruel too.

Many people say it isn't but I don't see how

I think many things that humans 'use' animals for might be considered by some to be cruel. Horse-racing is no crueller than farming, for instance. Welfare standards in the horse-racing industry are stringent, but I can see why vegans, for example, would be against it. I would find it rather naive of someone who ate meat or dairy products to single out horse-racing as particularly cruel.

Brigdetreilly - seriously? The falls, the overuse on their joints all for our entertainment and money. It is very cruel #fact

If a horse doesn't want to race, it doesn't. It's big enough and strong enough to refuse.

That is one of the stupidest things I’ve seen on these boards. They have no choice.

YANBU it is awful and that’s why I don’t watch it.

@sonlypuppyfat your husband has a voice and chooses to do that, no?

These horses can't speak for themselves and don't choose to race.

Yes it's cruel.

It's not about whether animals 'want to' race or not.

It's about them not knowing the risks, while they're making hundreds of thousands of pounds for humans.

They're dumb animals (in the nicest possible way), who obviously can't think like humans can.

Yes it is cruel, they run because it's instinct to stay with the herd. They have no choice.

@PatientPatience it's why I don't eat meat

Sonlypuppyfat - hardly the same thing. Your husband "chooses" to do it, the horse doesn't!!

My husbands been carrying big sheets of metal about all day , is that cruel too?

Possibly. Is he being forced to do it through fear of violence or being sacked or as a punishment for not reaching an employment target?

Yes, it's cruel. The whole racing industry is cruel. But there'll be plenty on here soon telling you the horses love it 😞

Yeah fair play to Sonlypuppyfat's DH

I'm sure he's at risk of being put to sleep if he doesn't make himself useful with those metal sheets.

Riders can be penalised for overuse of their whip. That penalty exists for a reason (it’s because the whip hurts)

If he breaks a leg will they put him down?

@WorraLiberty exactly. If these horses fall they're at serious risk and are often euthanised.

For the sake of what? Seriously it's awful

Anyone seen a horse being broken in? I have many times, it’s pretty grim.

I think on the whole horses enjoy racing. Cheltenham is a particularly lethal one though.
Who won btw?

Not much of a visit then if your DP was watching Cheltenham!!! Don't engage or watch it. One things for sure racing will never in a million years be eradicated.

As a late teen I was involved in the racing industry through my education and friends who were jockeys and I agree racing is cruel. Ignoring everything else, they break the horses in years too early.