So just because a horse doesn't show any signs that they are concerned about a premature death then it is totally ok to put them in positions that may indeed lead to their untimely demise? Okaaay.........
Accepting that horses run and jump for fun in the wild, it makes them fit and ready to flee from wolves.
So horse racing is just a game for horses where we set the rules. If they didn't like it they would stop running and jumping when they lost their jockey.
All that happens is the risks of injury or death are increased than in the wild. Against that they don't get chased and eaten by wolves.
Why do people assume horses are worrying about dying prematurely just because humans do.
Well all the ones that I ever see always have long faces
So just because a horse doesn't show any signs that they are concerned about a premature death then it is totally ok to put them in positions that may indeed lead to their untimely demise? Okaaay.........
The horse has been the servant of man ever since the first man to have the courage jumped on the back of one - and that's many thousands of years ago. It could be argued (and I'm not saying you are arguing this) that a man or woman on a horses back is unnatural and that every time it happens it puts a horses life in danger. Very many horses are killed whilst just out hacking with their owners on a Sunday morning, as indeed are many riders.
Horses were and still are used in theatres of war, they are beasts of burden in agriculture although nowhere near as much as they used to be, and ownership of a horse for leisure purposes gives immense pleasure to both horse and rider based on the unique bond that exists.
The welfare of these amazing creatures is paramount but I do not believe that this welfare concern should stretch to stopping horses racing against each other.
I'm in the middle on this one, but without betting the sport would not exist. A cheer for all the horses clearing Beechers probably wasn't really due to the love and compassion the thousands of punters have for our equine friends, lets be honest, Peanuts.
My possibly simplistic view is that horses run and jump for pleasure and would do so if horse racing had never been invented.
If those natural equine instincts can be harnessed by man to generate revenue, employment and enjoyment, in no particular order, without placing the animals under unreasonable duress I see no problem.
There are always, sadly, going to be fatal accidents, as in any walk of life animal or human, regardless of precautions taken.
@Anna_Kissed Can we assume you a) don't eat meat/fish? b) don't consume dairy/eggs/processed foods tainted by animal fats etc? c) wear clothes or shoes that use any animal bi-products? d) use any products that could have been made using animal bi-products? And what about vegetables? Some of them have hearts.
You don't have to do any of those to recognise the brutality of using animals on sport. False equivalences don't make an argument.
All race horses are lovingly cared for by their lads and lasses on a daily basis. If a horse didn't want to jump a fence, it would refuse.
So, if horses want to jump fences, why are there millions of horses in fields with fences and gates ? Surely, if they want to, and they enjoy jumping fences, they could just jump out of their stables whenever they want ?
(and, for the record, been vegetarian for 34 years).
If a child is strapped up inside a car by its parent and the child is killed in an accident was it a "cruel" or "brutal" to have put the child at risk by forcing it to take a dangerous car journey.
If a horse is saddled up on the race course by its owner and is killed in an accident was it "cruel" or "brutal" to have put the horse at risk by forcing it to jump dangerous fences.
The risks are taken as part of normal everyday life to enjoy the moment, yes horses enjoy jumping and parents like taking their children to see granny. Without taking risks life would be worthless. People pursue high risk extreme sports to feel more alive, not to try to die.
More joy of the moment is taken and given in horse racing than dragging a child around in a car, particularly where the child is distressed at being immobilised for long periods not knowing why, so you could argue that horse racing is the more justifiable an activity.
Neither child nor horse have any perception of risk or likelihood of injury or premature death. Assuming those fears on behalf of a child or horse, does not amount to kindness nor does it make you a superior human being.
Eliminating all risks that threaten life to the detriment of enjoying life, or denying the right to a life in case it may not be enjoyable, does not amount to kindness nor does it justify taking over from God.
Incidentally, why "innocent" animals, are their guilty ones that its OK to race or eat?
Cars kill thousands of people yearly but I bet all you haters still get in one on a daily basis
I don't. I last was in a car about 3 months ago. I travel around London mainly by bike and occasionally by public transport. But what that has to do with opinions about the abuse of animals I struggle to understand.
How old are you ? well done you ain't been in a car for 3 months give your self a pat on the back you hypocrite, well I ain't backed a horse for 7 hours so at least we agree it's all wrong
All race horses are lovingly cared for by their lads and lasses on a daily basis. If a horse didn't want to jump a fence, it would refuse.
And often cast aside with no compunction when they have no further use. And some do refuse.
Cast aside ? Which racehorse trainers or owners are you referring to exactly ?
Just google what happens to race horses when they retire.
I think this is another example of you commenting without thinking or knowing what you're on about, as in the " return of Dennis" thread. There may well be accounts of animal abuse of ex racehorses, but I guarantee they are few and far between and not as you originally posted, the norm.
Here we go again. Cheltenham Festival, 15th March, 2016 Day One. The Govaness, a seven-year old mare, ridden by R Johnson Cause of death: Fell - Injured - Destroyed Discipline: National Hunt Hurdle
Comments
Horses were and still are used in theatres of war, they are beasts of burden in agriculture although nowhere near as much as they used to be, and ownership of a horse for leisure purposes gives immense pleasure to both horse and rider based on the unique bond that exists.
The welfare of these amazing creatures is paramount but I do not believe that this welfare concern should stretch to stopping horses racing against each other.
If those natural equine instincts can be harnessed by man to generate revenue, employment and enjoyment, in no particular order, without placing the animals under unreasonable duress I see no problem.
There are always, sadly, going to be fatal accidents, as in any walk of life animal or human, regardless of precautions taken.
False equivalences don't make an argument.
And some do refuse.
Surely, if they want to, and they enjoy jumping fences, they could just jump out of their stables whenever they want ?
(and, for the record, been vegetarian for 34 years).
Perhaps it's time for a gallop pole on the matter?
But, honestly, this thread has been a bit of a mare hasn't it?
If a horse is saddled up on the race course by its owner and is killed in an accident was it "cruel" or "brutal" to have put the horse at risk by forcing it to jump dangerous fences.
The risks are taken as part of normal everyday life to enjoy the moment, yes horses enjoy jumping and parents like taking their children to see granny. Without taking risks life would be worthless. People pursue high risk extreme sports to feel more alive, not to try to die.
More joy of the moment is taken and given in horse racing than dragging a child around in a car, particularly where the child is distressed at being immobilised for long periods not knowing why, so you could argue that horse racing is the more justifiable an activity.
Neither child nor horse have any perception of risk or likelihood of injury or premature death. Assuming those fears on behalf of a child or horse, does not amount to kindness nor does it make you a superior human being.
Eliminating all risks that threaten life to the detriment of enjoying life, or denying the right to a life in case it may not be enjoyable, does not amount to kindness nor does it justify taking over from God.
Incidentally, why "innocent" animals, are their guilty ones that its OK to race or eat?
There may well be accounts of animal abuse of ex racehorses, but I guarantee they are few and far between and not as you originally posted, the norm.
perhaps this is how annakissed prefers horses to be treated.
Cheltenham Festival, 15th March, 2016
Day One.
The Govaness, a seven-year old mare, ridden by R Johnson
Cause of death: Fell - Injured - Destroyed
Discipline: National Hunt Hurdle
horsedeathwatch.com/