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.

They live in the lap of luxury, they are exercised regularly but lightly, they have a good career they retire early and live like kings for breeding. Or get retirement at a ridiing stable or as a companion.
Some people treat the horses badly true but with the amount of checks the horses go through they are few and far between. Also if they don't want to run they won't.

@ILoveMaxiBondi

Horses react with fight or flight to situations that scare them, that includes aggressive humans. I've tried keeping hold of hundreds of horses over the years that have spooked at something, 95% of the time I've ended up face down in the mud watching said horse vanish into the distance. The other 5% I've been lucky. And that's horses that know and trust me, and I have a bond with.
They often weigh up to a ton, and can move with lightning speed, while I agree that an animal will submit eventually, it's not as 'easy' as just beating a horse and it'll do as it's told because it submits.

Completely agree though that some owners are abusive and don't treat their animals well. They shouldn't be allowed to have animals

@puppymouse

I may the opportunity to retire early.

On that basis my partner wants to buy
Our daughter a horse.

I have several reservations about this.
Time I can put in. That's fine.

I have reservations about how to care
For a horse adequately.

For a beginner would you be able to offer any guidance?

I know we'd need to stable but can you give me any advice?

I assume you haven't spent much time around horses

I was pretty much born on a horse!

Horses raised well with owners who own for the pleasure of riding and actually love their animals aren’t raised by force. So of course your horse gets to express her personality and decide what she’s doing or not doing. Because you have no interest in forcing her to do something she doesn’t want to do. If you sold her to someone who was a bit of a bastard (I know you wouldn’t) and thought a cattle prod was the best thing since sliced bread, you’d find her a completely different girl after a year in their “care”.

I absolutely want to make said horse be happy

it's not as 'easy' as just beating a horse and it'll do as it's told because it submits

No it isn’t, which is why they start racehorses from birth. Much easier when they’re babies.

When I worked in racing I looked after the sweetest, kindest filly. She was only little bit she would try her heart out. She never made it to the racecourse. The lads used to call her useless. Her crime? She couldn't gallop fast enough no matter how much she tried on work mornings. One morning she fractured her pelvis on the gallops and was put down. She was 2 fucking years old. No one gave a shit because she in their eyes no good. That's when I left racing. She could have been treated with box rest according to the vet but because she was no good trainer told him to put her down. It happens all the time. If you cant see anything wrong with that you are a heartless cunt IMO.

Yes horses love to run but surely that means in an open field with their own free will and not in such a pressurised, competitive environment.

Hahahaha.

Because being chased in the wild by a predator is not such a pressurised environment?

puppymouse explain what is wrong with a surgeon operating on an animal whose breathing is impeded to allow it to breathe freely?

Or get retirement at a ridiing stable or as a companion

Said the person who clearly has no fucking idea

Yes it's cruel. I loathe it.

Said the person who currently has 6 In the stable, a friend with two as companions.
It happens, not as often as it should but it's not all doom and gloom

@user How long did you work in racing?

I think it's cruel, horses die every year and it seems like they are thought of as easily replaceable/ disposable

@Intohellbutstayingstrong of course that's wrong but it's a huge industry and you can't judge every trainer by that experience.

they have a good career they retire early and live like kings for breeding

You really dont know much about the racing industry do you.

but it's a huge industry and you can't judge every trainer by that experience

You really think that doesn't go on country wide?
Oh my.

4 years, starting at Doncaster race school. Not that it had anything to do with it. A few crappy experiences doesn't tar a whole industry, there is good and bad where ever you go. It's life. Some people should never be near an animal let alone training it to do anything others do everything they can and are amazing people who get left by the way side for not doing things the same way.
If you don't like it don't watch it or take part simple as that really. Your never going to please everyone, there's always going to be elements someone disagrees with.

@villainousbroodmare I don't think it's ok to cut, stitch, sever or remove ventricles, vocal cords or any part of a horse's throat to make it run faster. Do you?

There probably needs to be a distinction between certain commercial racing practices, and people having a go at their local point to point.

Horses that have wind operations have them because their airway is slightly obstructed so they don't breathe completely freely. It's not a go-faster operation done on a normal horse. Is that what you thought it was?

Agree it's silly to tar all racing with the same brush

@ijustneedagoodshake maybe start a thread in the tack room on here. Loads of friendly experienced people who can advise on costs, time and knowledge required.

I don't know how long your DD has been riding but I'd recommend lots and lots of lessons and volunteering at the stables to learn the ropes, sharing a horse with someone to start off gently and then maybe loaning.

If she's still 100% committed then buy one but look for one through local pony clubs etc or take someone you trust and who has experience with you when you view as it's a bloody minefield and it's easy to overhorse yourself and it could put your daughter in danger. Make sure if you do get one she keeps it somewhere with plenty of people to join her out riding and help out when needed. It can be very lonely being inexperienced starting out. Good luck

@villainousbroodmare not what I thought, no. It's what friends who work in veterinary care know. Not as common these days I understand but some surgeons do still do it.