There is currently 1 person viewing this thread.
09 Apr 10
16:49
Joined:
Date Joined:
20 May 04
Other than the occasional nutter on here, I think we are all huge fans of horses and horseracing. I imagine many of us have grown up with the view that the Grand National is a massive sporting event and right up there as a very special occasion and pretty much a national treasure.
None of us like to see horses killed and perhaps understandably get irate when people harp on about it.
However, I think that in this day and age (so much available information and communication) that the sport needs to take a serious look at improving the welfare of horses, particularly at this meeting.
We would all like to see the sport we love become more popular with the general public, I'd like to see more serious sponsors take part in the game and generally make it a better experience all round - for owners, racegoers and punters at home.
This can't happen when - however we may feel about it personally - the sort of carnage seen today is taking place on BBC TV (or any other channel). People who don't currently have the passion for racing that many of us do will simply be turned off by it and will never want to get involved.
I am not saying that getting the general population into racing is the answer, but engaging a larger audiencewould make things an awful lot better.
If you aren't a racing fan and are lurking on here to be mischievous, please don't bother replying to this post.
None of us like to see horses killed and perhaps understandably get irate when people harp on about it.
However, I think that in this day and age (so much available information and communication) that the sport needs to take a serious look at improving the welfare of horses, particularly at this meeting.
We would all like to see the sport we love become more popular with the general public, I'd like to see more serious sponsors take part in the game and generally make it a better experience all round - for owners, racegoers and punters at home.
This can't happen when - however we may feel about it personally - the sort of carnage seen today is taking place on BBC TV (or any other channel). People who don't currently have the passion for racing that many of us do will simply be turned off by it and will never want to get involved.
I am not saying that getting the general population into racing is the answer, but engaging a larger audiencewould make things an awful lot better.
If you aren't a racing fan and are lurking on here to be mischievous, please don't bother replying to this post.
sort by:
Show
per page
Replies: 13
|
By:
I make no apologies for my feelings regarding this race.
I love horses and horse racing. I have no problem with NH Racing in general and of course from time to time some horses may get injured. Unfortunately some fatally. Most of the time the horses are given a fair crack of the whip with regards to the obstacles they are expected to negotiate. A race that almost guarantees that some horses will be killed does the sport no favours imo. |
|
By:
Think we almost need to breed horses for those fences. These flat breds often come to grief.
|
|
By:
I don't think breeding a certain type of horse will do anything. Horses are killed everywhere but it's no coincidence that premier meetings where the speed is really on sees a higher percentage of fatalities. Apart from turning every race into a flat race I see no way out of this situation. I saw An Cathaoir Mor killed on Monday at Fairyhouse after he was brought down so accidents will always happen. I do think that something needs to be done as the anti mob will always have ammunition, particularly after a high profile meeting like Aintree or Cheltenham but I'm at a total loss as to what could be done. The sight of Plaisir d'Estruval and Prudent Honour falling at the same fence didn't look good.
|
|
By:
There are now minimum standards for horses and riders in the Grand National itself, so why the f they let any Tom Dick or Dobbin run in the hunter chase or Topham is almost beyond comprehension.
|
|
By:
fwiw making fences smaller does not mean less accidents imho
|
|
By:
Agree with Biscar
|
|
By:
making the fences smaller will allow them to think that they can go at them quicker...even less respect....ironically here unlike cheltenham, i think we should be howling for the clerk of the course TO water.
|
|
By:
good point ramruma.
|
|
By:
Horseracing is a dying sport because those with the power to change the sport for the better are motivated by greed and will not embrace change for fear of undermining their own wealth and self importance.
|
|
By:
The National has seen fewer deaths recently, the problem today seems the fast ground and the speed that they are going.Horses are going to die at all meetings it is something that if you love the sport then you have to come to terms with it. My earliest memories of the race include Alverton dying I cried all night,as an adult i bred my own horse and had to have him put down because he got kicked in his field, never made it to the course.
|
|
By:
On a similar note. I know today was horrible to watch, but do you not think it's actually better for the horses to go instantly like that that suffer in pain for ages waiting for their demise?
|
|
By:
Gwanyaboya!!, what are your stats regards you saying there's a higher percentage of fatalities at the premier meetings?
|
|
By:
and there in a nutshell howard you have it. the easier the fences, the more unsuitable types will be put over them, the more falls you will get.
|