There is surely something seriously and fundamentally wrong with structure of

perhaps in time

the restrictive use of the whip  might see a lessening of the dross

and rubbish which grace our racecourses on a daily basis.

That looks like a non sequitur to me, wee eck. Do you want to expand?

Hayley has ridden more group 1 winners (lifetime) than the 'champ'

What I meant to say Pete but lost the plot was this, if a lot of horses will only

do their best and a bad best at that by being thrashed by a whip, perhaps in time

breeders and owners will come to realise that introducing that quality of horse to

the racecourse is a big non starter and that the horses that can and do make it on

the racecourse are of a more generous nature.   Pete is there any sense in your view

in what I am posting or is it just more drivel.?

I see your point - thanks for explaining.

I suppose it's possible you're right, but it would take generations of breeding

to come up with stables full of genuine types... wouldn't it? I don't know enough

to say, but it sure wouldn't happen overnight.

Horses are vegetarian / grazing creatures of the plains. They respond to alarm by

running. A slap with a whip is the modern equivalent to a pack of wolves or similar.

I believe that using a (humane) whip to get the best from the critters is not that

cruel, to be honest. Some of them quite literally respond to being shown the whip, so

I understand.

wee eck, less dross, less races, less owners, less trainers, less levy, less call the whole thing off

Pete, old son I been in stables and believe me on horses that need to be taught manners

the whip can be used with sickening force, perhaps why as you say when some horses in

races catch out of the corner of their eye the whip being raised they will quicken

without being struck. For many horses life in stables is not a bed of roses.

Barry perhaps race 5 days a week with horses that do not need to be beaten to give their

best than 7 with horses that do.

Barry was there not a time 40 years ago when here was a fortnights break

between the flat season ending and the jump season starting?  People survived.

race tuesday to saturday only, love it , wont happen.

regarding cruelty to horses back stage, as an 18 year old worked for a show jumping firm (only sundays), couldn't bring meself to tell what they did to make horses jump.

barry, I rest my case.

Re BD's comment..

I remember years ago a program that showed how a ceratin show jumper/trainer got his horses  to jump better..hedgehog skins were wrapped round the top bar to presumably remind the horse for an extra few inches

Two obvious flaws wee eck,the "dross" as you put it is usually owned by people at the lower end of the market so you would be diminishing those ranks.Also the "wastage" at the moment is already huge ie Slaughter of those not up to scratch.

After centuries of breeding it is still impossible to guarantee quality,even from the best blue blood.

Solution,put a cap on numbers bred or get horse meat back on the menu in UK,win win.[;)]