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Having witnessed one of the most exciting finishes in the race’s history and the remarkable achievement of a horse regarded by most as too old to be a realistic contender, the headlines once again are about fatalities.
The story perfectly epitomises the gut-wrenching emotional roller coaster that is horse racing.
First there was the elation of Synchronised springing an incredible surprise in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, when he was generally seen as a slogger without the X-factor required to win the prestigious race.
Then, while everyone was still dreaming of what he might or might not go on to achieve he was killed in a fatal accident.
According To Pete was a very popular horse from a smaller yard who had a real chance in the race when he fell, and his loss will be equally as painful.
It is only right that occasions like this force us to look at our shoes, search our consciences and rationally revisit both sides of the argument, which is always challenging when such emotions are involved.
Having heard about a small-animal vet broadcast on Radio 4 this year calling for the race to be banned I would like to present an opinion from an equine practitioner.
I work closely with racehorses as an equine veterinary surgeon and I feel that light needs shedding on a few points that some members of the public opposed to the sport would not know about.
The first myth to be dispelled is that racehorses are seen as objects and do not receive the same care and attention as other horses.
The same lads or lasses take care of these horses day in and day out and the vast majority of them are treated like kings.
Many of them have pet names and are thoroughly spoilt with a great deal of individual attention.
There is no worse feeling than an empty space in the horsebox on the way home and any loss is felt profoundly by everyone on the yard.
At the same time the risks are known to be present and unavoidable.
Everybody involved in the sport is involved because they love horses.
Most of the jobs in the industry necessitate very early starts, long hours and low wages and it is the commitment to working with these amazing animals that motivates these people.
This is reflected in the care that is lavished on their horses.
Whilst the Grand National is unique for the obstacles and the size of the field, fatalities – tragically – also occur throughout the rest of the calendar, and the arguments for and against racing are no less significant whether we are talking about Aintree or Plumpton.
Most (but certainly not all) of the accidents resulting in death or euthanasia at the races are a result of falls over fences, but as a veterinary surgeon it is not unusual to be called out to animals that have sustained injuries whilst turned out in a field which require the animal to be put to sleep.
As a consequence of the horse’s natural, inbuilt fight or flight response they are far more vulnerable to these severe accidents.
This is especially true of thoroughbreds.
That importantly brings us to the issue of choice. Many people draw attention to the fact that the horses don’t have a choice as to whether they race or not.
Although this is true, I believe that this argument launches a different debate about how the human race uses and interacts with animals.
The union between man and horse is special and unique.
Over the centuries horses have fought wars for us, produced food for us, policed for us, as well as providing many other services. In my eyes the horse has equal rights to the title of man’s best friend.
Mechanisation has marginalised the horse now to principally a leisure role and one of companionship.
We have created the thoroughbred for use as a leisure animal and it is designed specifically with racing in mind.
I think it is fair to say the vast majority of these horses love their job.
They are naturally herd animals and the opportunity to run with another 40 animals, trying not to anthropomorphise, is like a party to many of them.
After parting company with their rider many continue jumping.
Not all of them will enjoy it, but these horses are found out early in their careers, and if their temperaments are suitable, an alternative job will be found for them.
Severe injury and death is a tragic, but unavoidable, consequence of many sports recently highlighted by the death of the footballer Piermario Morosini during a match in Naples and the near death of Fabrice Muamba from Bolton.
As we have removed choice from the equation, we are left with an obligation to do everything within our power to reduce the risk of injury, which we cannot and never will completely eliminate, and to provide prompt treatment and euthanasia whenever there is no other option.
The British Horseracing Association, the governing body of racing, working in conjunction with welfare groups should be applauded for all they have done so far and this work will continue.
There will always be an experienced equine veterinary surgeon instantly by a stricken racehorse’s side to relieve suffering at a British racecourse.
Stories of massive releases of the body’s own painkilling endorphins following shark attacks on humans, in which victims do not realise they have lost a limb until they reach the shore, hopefully translate to horses and the animal can be euthanised if necessary before any severe pain registers.
It may be the general perception among people not involved with racing that all fractures result in horses being put to sleep.
This is not always the case. Many fractures can be fixed successfully.
The issues facing surgeons trying to repair fractures in horses are multitude. For starters, the average racehorse weighs about half a ton and any implants (screws and plates) need to be strong enough to hold while a horse recovers from a general anaesthetic.
Even following a successful surgery the forces involved in equine locomotion are enormous and plates can bend to a shape where they no longer support the fracture for a considerable period of time postoperatively.
In the lower limb we can apply a cast to help support the fracture repair and use a recovery system with a rope attached to the head and tail to help the horse stand in a controlled fashion, but higher up the limb we have no option of successfully immobilising the area.
Surgical access to the areas the implants need to go can also be restricted.
If we could put a horse’s entire body in a cast many fractures would heal but obviously the distress this would cause an animal prone to panicking, together with practical issues warrant this inappropriate.
The Grand National remains an iconic event and one that is admired around the world as the ultimate test of horse and jockey.
The sight of the runners circling at the start every year reproduces the same butterflies in my stomach, a result of the excitement for the race that is to come and the nerves for the safety of the horses and riders that you pray will all come home safely.
This argument will rightly resurface every year.
I think inevitably we have to accept that there will always be fatalities from accidents associated with horses, whether it be in a field or on a racetrack.
In this tough game the lows seem so be that bit lower than the highs are high.
The race will always produce stories at both ends of the emotional spectrum and both deserve the attention of the media but the shadow of tragedy should not blot out the achievement of Neptune Collonges and those associated with him.
The sport is defendable on the grounds that the industry continues to strive to promote welfare ahead of all else, risks are minimised and suffering relieved as soon as it is apparent that there is no other option.
The story perfectly epitomises the gut-wrenching emotional roller coaster that is horse racing.
First there was the elation of Synchronised springing an incredible surprise in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, when he was generally seen as a slogger without the X-factor required to win the prestigious race.
Then, while everyone was still dreaming of what he might or might not go on to achieve he was killed in a fatal accident.
According To Pete was a very popular horse from a smaller yard who had a real chance in the race when he fell, and his loss will be equally as painful.
It is only right that occasions like this force us to look at our shoes, search our consciences and rationally revisit both sides of the argument, which is always challenging when such emotions are involved.
Having heard about a small-animal vet broadcast on Radio 4 this year calling for the race to be banned I would like to present an opinion from an equine practitioner.
I work closely with racehorses as an equine veterinary surgeon and I feel that light needs shedding on a few points that some members of the public opposed to the sport would not know about.
The first myth to be dispelled is that racehorses are seen as objects and do not receive the same care and attention as other horses.
The same lads or lasses take care of these horses day in and day out and the vast majority of them are treated like kings.
Many of them have pet names and are thoroughly spoilt with a great deal of individual attention.
There is no worse feeling than an empty space in the horsebox on the way home and any loss is felt profoundly by everyone on the yard.
At the same time the risks are known to be present and unavoidable.
Everybody involved in the sport is involved because they love horses.
Most of the jobs in the industry necessitate very early starts, long hours and low wages and it is the commitment to working with these amazing animals that motivates these people.
This is reflected in the care that is lavished on their horses.
Whilst the Grand National is unique for the obstacles and the size of the field, fatalities – tragically – also occur throughout the rest of the calendar, and the arguments for and against racing are no less significant whether we are talking about Aintree or Plumpton.
Most (but certainly not all) of the accidents resulting in death or euthanasia at the races are a result of falls over fences, but as a veterinary surgeon it is not unusual to be called out to animals that have sustained injuries whilst turned out in a field which require the animal to be put to sleep.
As a consequence of the horse’s natural, inbuilt fight or flight response they are far more vulnerable to these severe accidents.
This is especially true of thoroughbreds.
That importantly brings us to the issue of choice. Many people draw attention to the fact that the horses don’t have a choice as to whether they race or not.
Although this is true, I believe that this argument launches a different debate about how the human race uses and interacts with animals.
The union between man and horse is special and unique.
Over the centuries horses have fought wars for us, produced food for us, policed for us, as well as providing many other services. In my eyes the horse has equal rights to the title of man’s best friend.
Mechanisation has marginalised the horse now to principally a leisure role and one of companionship.
We have created the thoroughbred for use as a leisure animal and it is designed specifically with racing in mind.
I think it is fair to say the vast majority of these horses love their job.
They are naturally herd animals and the opportunity to run with another 40 animals, trying not to anthropomorphise, is like a party to many of them.
After parting company with their rider many continue jumping.
Not all of them will enjoy it, but these horses are found out early in their careers, and if their temperaments are suitable, an alternative job will be found for them.
Severe injury and death is a tragic, but unavoidable, consequence of many sports recently highlighted by the death of the footballer Piermario Morosini during a match in Naples and the near death of Fabrice Muamba from Bolton.
As we have removed choice from the equation, we are left with an obligation to do everything within our power to reduce the risk of injury, which we cannot and never will completely eliminate, and to provide prompt treatment and euthanasia whenever there is no other option.
The British Horseracing Association, the governing body of racing, working in conjunction with welfare groups should be applauded for all they have done so far and this work will continue.
There will always be an experienced equine veterinary surgeon instantly by a stricken racehorse’s side to relieve suffering at a British racecourse.
Stories of massive releases of the body’s own painkilling endorphins following shark attacks on humans, in which victims do not realise they have lost a limb until they reach the shore, hopefully translate to horses and the animal can be euthanised if necessary before any severe pain registers.
It may be the general perception among people not involved with racing that all fractures result in horses being put to sleep.
This is not always the case. Many fractures can be fixed successfully.
The issues facing surgeons trying to repair fractures in horses are multitude. For starters, the average racehorse weighs about half a ton and any implants (screws and plates) need to be strong enough to hold while a horse recovers from a general anaesthetic.
Even following a successful surgery the forces involved in equine locomotion are enormous and plates can bend to a shape where they no longer support the fracture for a considerable period of time postoperatively.
In the lower limb we can apply a cast to help support the fracture repair and use a recovery system with a rope attached to the head and tail to help the horse stand in a controlled fashion, but higher up the limb we have no option of successfully immobilising the area.
Surgical access to the areas the implants need to go can also be restricted.
If we could put a horse’s entire body in a cast many fractures would heal but obviously the distress this would cause an animal prone to panicking, together with practical issues warrant this inappropriate.
The Grand National remains an iconic event and one that is admired around the world as the ultimate test of horse and jockey.
The sight of the runners circling at the start every year reproduces the same butterflies in my stomach, a result of the excitement for the race that is to come and the nerves for the safety of the horses and riders that you pray will all come home safely.
This argument will rightly resurface every year.
I think inevitably we have to accept that there will always be fatalities from accidents associated with horses, whether it be in a field or on a racetrack.
In this tough game the lows seem so be that bit lower than the highs are high.
The race will always produce stories at both ends of the emotional spectrum and both deserve the attention of the media but the shadow of tragedy should not blot out the achievement of Neptune Collonges and those associated with him.
The sport is defendable on the grounds that the industry continues to strive to promote welfare ahead of all else, risks are minimised and suffering relieved as soon as it is apparent that there is no other option.
Show More
* written by a Vet
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/9207433/We-must-keep-working-le...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/9207433/We-must-keep-working-le...
Contains much of what - most sensible thinking people who have a knowledge of horses/horse racing - think and know anyway.But an excellent article nonetheless. Except the 'loony tunes' don't want to read such sensible text. Much more salivating to read the 'horror' stories of the tabloids/penny dreadfuls..
What are your views on drop fences, facts? My own is that they are designed to catch horses out and cause problems, and if the public get to understand this there will be even more pressure on the sport.
"...the opportunity to run with another 40 animals...is like a party to many of them."
Not sure how many of the horses would be so keen to attend this 'party' if they knew 2 of them would end up dead, with a bullet to the brain awaiting any of them who broke a limb.
Regarding how the industry views horses, I have little doubt the stable lads and lasses genuinely love the horses, but as you move up the pecking order this love soon disappears, and by the time you reach the trainer and stable jockey it has long since vanished.
Not sure how many of the horses would be so keen to attend this 'party' if they knew 2 of them would end up dead, with a bullet to the brain awaiting any of them who broke a limb.
Regarding how the industry views horses, I have little doubt the stable lads and lasses genuinely love the horses, but as you move up the pecking order this love soon disappears, and by the time you reach the trainer and stable jockey it has long since vanished.
Its not rocket science. Field size max of 25, no drop fences plus this year's changes. You'd then still have a good spectacle with a lot less risk and a much less chaotic start with horses getting on edge. I actually think a 25 runner race would appeal more to the public as most would then have some sort of chance (better for sweepstakers and name pickers) and it would be much easier to pick "your horse" out and follow its progress. I think this is the last chance for racing; if we don't make these radical changes then one more year with fatlities and the race will cease to exist.
If the statistics on equine fatalities in the Grand National are to be believed only one horse was fatally injured throughout the entire 1960's. This was at a time when the fences were bigger and often there were more than 40 runners. It seems to me that one of the problems is to do with the type of horse running in the race these days. Back in the 1960's you would often hear trainers refer to a horse as a real "National type". The field in those days basically hunted around for the first circuit and the race began in earnest on the second circuit. There were many fallers but horses seemed better able to cope maybe because they were stronger. Today there is no hunting round for a circuit and the race is on from the start. I'm no expert but it seems odd that since 2002 11 horses have been fatally injured in the Grand National despite the alterations that have been made.
bornunlucky 17 Apr 12 10:55
"...the opportunity to run with another 40 animals...is like a party to many of them."
Not sure how many of the horses would be so keen to attend this 'party' if they knew 2 of them would end up dead, with a bullet to the brain awaiting any of them who broke a limb.
Regarding how the industry views horses, I have little doubt the stable lads and lasses genuinely love the horses, but as you move up the pecking order this love soon disappears, and by the time you reach the trainer and stable jockey it has long since vanished.
Utter utter rubbish !!
"...the opportunity to run with another 40 animals...is like a party to many of them."
Not sure how many of the horses would be so keen to attend this 'party' if they knew 2 of them would end up dead, with a bullet to the brain awaiting any of them who broke a limb.
Regarding how the industry views horses, I have little doubt the stable lads and lasses genuinely love the horses, but as you move up the pecking order this love soon disappears, and by the time you reach the trainer and stable jockey it has long since vanished.
Utter utter rubbish !!
saddo 17 Apr 12 10:35
What are your views on drop fences, facts? My own is that they are designed to catch horses out and cause problems, and if the public get to understand this there will be even more pressure on the sport.
You're right - perception would be altered. Personally, I don't like drop fences. The sport of NH racing wouldn't suffer if these type of fences were eliminated imo.
What are your views on drop fences, facts? My own is that they are designed to catch horses out and cause problems, and if the public get to understand this there will be even more pressure on the sport.
You're right - perception would be altered. Personally, I don't like drop fences. The sport of NH racing wouldn't suffer if these type of fences were eliminated imo.
I've noticed that people tend to discuss this issue without knowing the actual statistics.
http://www.horsedeathwatch.com/
How anyone uses that information is up to them.
http://www.horsedeathwatch.com/
How anyone uses that information is up to them.
A horse is not trained to land at a different level from the level that he took off from.
Horses therefore tend to get caught out because the landing side is not where they have been trained to anticipate it to be.
Agree with you Facts / Saddo
Horses therefore tend to get caught out because the landing side is not where they have been trained to anticipate it to be.
Agree with you Facts / Saddo
I have had the 'dead' horses discussion with Nicholls, Hobbs and Mullins and they are all hardened to it, as I guess they have to be.
They are in a privileged position, though, because they all have back-up horses in satellite yards ready to take the place of the one(s) that dies at the races.
A trainer with only a few horses naturally misses a loss a good deal more.
I once had a quarter of an unraced maiden three-year-old with Guy Harwood, and when I went to see it at Pulborough Guy had to ask his assistant in which satellite yard it was kept.
They are in a privileged position, though, because they all have back-up horses in satellite yards ready to take the place of the one(s) that dies at the races.
A trainer with only a few horses naturally misses a loss a good deal more.
I once had a quarter of an unraced maiden three-year-old with Guy Harwood, and when I went to see it at Pulborough Guy had to ask his assistant in which satellite yard it was kept.
just someone else with a vested interest.
some of the most infantile comments i have heard.
the death of the footballer was not down to the sport,his family had a long history of heart problems,absolutely stupid comment.
Because the lads get up early and work for low wages this proves their love for the horse.
Well a lot of cleaners get up very early and work for low wages,does this mean they love cleaning.
As for the 40 horses thinking its a party thats just laughable.
Vets in the racing industry will say and do anything a trainer tells them to,who do you think performed the operations on howard johnsons horses and why.
Nicky hendersons vet lost his job(struck off) and has said he will reveal all the dodgy dealings between vets and trainers that go on in the industry at his appeal.
some of the most infantile comments i have heard.
the death of the footballer was not down to the sport,his family had a long history of heart problems,absolutely stupid comment.
Because the lads get up early and work for low wages this proves their love for the horse.
Well a lot of cleaners get up very early and work for low wages,does this mean they love cleaning.
As for the 40 horses thinking its a party thats just laughable.
Vets in the racing industry will say and do anything a trainer tells them to,who do you think performed the operations on howard johnsons horses and why.
Nicky hendersons vet lost his job(struck off) and has said he will reveal all the dodgy dealings between vets and trainers that go on in the industry at his appeal.
The sport is defendable on the grounds that the industry continues to strive to promote welfare ahead of all else,if that statement is meant to be believed,why was nothing done about the winning jockey hitting the horse almost twice the amount of times that has been agreed.
The biggest argument for change actually comes from us, the punters. If you look at all the comments and opinions on this subject there is a great deal of support for change within the horse racing community itself.
If the statistics on equine fatalities in the Grand National are to be believed only one horse was fatally injured throughout the entire 1960's. This was at a time when the fences were bigger and often there were more than 40 runners. It seems to me that one of the problems is to do with the type of horse running in the race these days. Back in the 1960's you would often hear trainers refer to a horse as a real "National type". The field in those days basically hunted around for the first circuit and the race began in earnest on the second circuit. There were many fallers but horses seemed better able to cope maybe because they were stronger. Today there is no hunting round for a circuit and the race is on from the start. I'm no expert but it seems odd that since 2002 11 horses have been fatally injured in the Grand National despite the alterations that have been made.
This is exactly the problem.
Making the fences easier has let in more dodgy jumpers, and led to faster racing. Increasing the prize-money has led to faster horses taking part - leading to a faster race. Drainage 'improvements' have led to firmer ground - doubly dangerous as it leads to both faster racing and increases the likelihood of injury both in falls and on the flat. The ever-increasing emphasis on speed and not sturdiness has led to more delicate horses. The number of flat-bred horses in NH racing has increased - they're often more delicate. Particularly because incessant watering on the flat has led to horses not having to be bred to withstand the larger impact pressures associated with firm ground. Finally, the way in which general NH obstacles have become soft as cotton wool has not helped. Horses can now kick aside most hurdles with impunity, and go straight through the top six inches or so of chase fences, which means that some of them pick up terribly bad habits. This comes back to bite them when they actually face a test like the National. 30 years ago horses knew that they had to clear the birch, or it was going to hurt them. Certainly they'd never dream of putting their front legs through the top of a fence if they could avoid it. Now it's not such a problem. So many of the changes brought in to make things safer for the horses, both on the flat, and over jumps, have had either no, or a detrimental, effect because they've just changed the sort of horses that are racing.
My solutions:
i) Stop watering on the flat. Must be done incrementally over 15 years or so, such that breeders and trainers know that breeding and buying horses that are sturdy enough to face firm ground is not financial suicide. Good and soft ground horses will still have their days, but only as the weather dictates.
ii) Bit pricey maybe, but over the same period, try to incrementally remove drainage systems. The other side of the coin to watering. I went to uni with a lot of agrics (my old housemate did agricultural business management), and any of them'd tell you that the methods used at the moment prevent grass from putting down deep root systems.
iii) Make hurdles a bit stiffer, preferably such that horses are significantly put out of their stride when hitting them, but don't fall unless they make a real hash of it.
iv) Make fences stiffer.
v) Drastically increase the number of NH races that are open only to horses that have not run on the flat (or to those that have not run on the flat until they've run in a bumper/hurdle). There should be plenty of 'NH only' chases.
All are measures designed to emphasise stoutness over speed. The fragility of the thoroughbred is becoming a bad joke - the number of stallions with soundness problems churning out big crops is horrifying, particularly when these horses start jumping obstacles, with all the associated increased stresses on a horse's legs.
There are of course a number of improvements that have unequivocally helped an awful lot. Improvements to the rails, number of vets on course, care in the stables etc.
This is exactly the problem.
Making the fences easier has let in more dodgy jumpers, and led to faster racing. Increasing the prize-money has led to faster horses taking part - leading to a faster race. Drainage 'improvements' have led to firmer ground - doubly dangerous as it leads to both faster racing and increases the likelihood of injury both in falls and on the flat. The ever-increasing emphasis on speed and not sturdiness has led to more delicate horses. The number of flat-bred horses in NH racing has increased - they're often more delicate. Particularly because incessant watering on the flat has led to horses not having to be bred to withstand the larger impact pressures associated with firm ground. Finally, the way in which general NH obstacles have become soft as cotton wool has not helped. Horses can now kick aside most hurdles with impunity, and go straight through the top six inches or so of chase fences, which means that some of them pick up terribly bad habits. This comes back to bite them when they actually face a test like the National. 30 years ago horses knew that they had to clear the birch, or it was going to hurt them. Certainly they'd never dream of putting their front legs through the top of a fence if they could avoid it. Now it's not such a problem. So many of the changes brought in to make things safer for the horses, both on the flat, and over jumps, have had either no, or a detrimental, effect because they've just changed the sort of horses that are racing.
My solutions:
i) Stop watering on the flat. Must be done incrementally over 15 years or so, such that breeders and trainers know that breeding and buying horses that are sturdy enough to face firm ground is not financial suicide. Good and soft ground horses will still have their days, but only as the weather dictates.
ii) Bit pricey maybe, but over the same period, try to incrementally remove drainage systems. The other side of the coin to watering. I went to uni with a lot of agrics (my old housemate did agricultural business management), and any of them'd tell you that the methods used at the moment prevent grass from putting down deep root systems.
iii) Make hurdles a bit stiffer, preferably such that horses are significantly put out of their stride when hitting them, but don't fall unless they make a real hash of it.
iv) Make fences stiffer.
v) Drastically increase the number of NH races that are open only to horses that have not run on the flat (or to those that have not run on the flat until they've run in a bumper/hurdle). There should be plenty of 'NH only' chases.
All are measures designed to emphasise stoutness over speed. The fragility of the thoroughbred is becoming a bad joke - the number of stallions with soundness problems churning out big crops is horrifying, particularly when these horses start jumping obstacles, with all the associated increased stresses on a horse's legs.
There are of course a number of improvements that have unequivocally helped an awful lot. Improvements to the rails, number of vets on course, care in the stables etc.
Rizzlekick 17 Apr 12 12:54
I've noticed that people tend to discuss this issue without knowing the actual statistics.
http://www.horsedeathwatch.com/
How anyone uses that information is up to them.
Bare figs. are one thing. They need to be put in perspective. i.e these deaths versus :- total horses in training, and more relevant :- versus runners having raced in the 5 years in question, on all Courses (Flat and NH).
Bare numbers can look shocking , but have to be seen against the 'whole picture'.
How many domestic dogs/cats die each day in owners homes/whilst walking etc.
Look at how many people die in car accidents each year.
Look at how many people of alcoholic related diseases each year.
All are staggering numbers - but seen against the numbers in population as a whole, they are less shocking.
I've noticed that people tend to discuss this issue without knowing the actual statistics.
http://www.horsedeathwatch.com/
How anyone uses that information is up to them.
Bare figs. are one thing. They need to be put in perspective. i.e these deaths versus :- total horses in training, and more relevant :- versus runners having raced in the 5 years in question, on all Courses (Flat and NH).
Bare numbers can look shocking , but have to be seen against the 'whole picture'.
How many domestic dogs/cats die each day in owners homes/whilst walking etc.
Look at how many people die in car accidents each year.
Look at how many people of alcoholic related diseases each year.
All are staggering numbers - but seen against the numbers in population as a whole, they are less shocking.
I think a lot of the problems relate to the BHA trying to make the race more competitive. If they went bck to the old format top weigth 12-7 and stretched out the handicap instead of comperssing it would help.
The race is less competitive not so many top class horses so they go a yard slower. There would also be more no hopers and in truth this sort are less likely to get injured as they are not competitive.
It is suprising looking at the 1970's how most of the horses that died were the good ones.
The race is less competitive not so many top class horses so they go a yard slower. There would also be more no hopers and in truth this sort are less likely to get injured as they are not competitive.
It is suprising looking at the 1970's how most of the horses that died were the good ones.
I see your point Facts but I would say that the numbers are still too high. As with car accidents, as a whole the percentage is small but theres still a lot of deaths. Nobody argues that road safety is as good as it gets and we shouldnt bother anymore and for good reason.
I think the main thing to garner from the website I provided is that horses dying by falling is the major factor. Using this info we can see where to improve things.
Knowing the numbers is important if anyone is to make a valued judgement. I didn't know the numbers and was surprised when I did find them out.
I think the main thing to garner from the website I provided is that horses dying by falling is the major factor. Using this info we can see where to improve things.
Knowing the numbers is important if anyone is to make a valued judgement. I didn't know the numbers and was surprised when I did find them out.
Agree with most of History Makers points. But moving the National back a week [use to be first Sat in April] as the BHB have done, means fast ground is more than likely at Aintree. If the course was good to soft, then the horses have to run slower to get home, and the impact from falls isn't as harsh.
Never ceases to amaze me how people think using phrases like 'loony tunes' and 'treehuggers' does anything other than undermine their chances of being taken seriously
Sorry, I meant to break the first bit of my post up into short paragraphs, but forgot to when I posted. This should look better...
Making the fences easier has let in more dodgy jumpers, and led to faster racing.
Increasing the prize-money has led to faster horses taking part - leading to a faster race.
Drainage 'improvements' have led to firmer ground - doubly dangerous as it leads to both faster racing and increases the likelihood of injury both in falls and on the flat.
The ever-increasing emphasis on speed and not sturdiness has led to more delicate horses.
The number of flat-bred horses in NH racing has increased - they're often more delicate. Particularly because incessant watering on the flat has led to horses not having to be bred to withstand the larger impact pressures associated with firm ground.
Finally, the way in which general NH obstacles have become soft as cotton wool has not helped. Horses can now kick aside most hurdles with impunity, and go straight through the top six inches or so of chase fences, which means that some of them pick up terribly bad habits. This comes back to bite them when they actually face a test like the National.
30 years ago horses knew that they had to clear the birch, or it was going to hurt them. Certainly they'd never dream of putting their front legs through the top of a fence if they could avoid it. Now it's not such a problem.
So many of the changes brought in to make things safer for the horses, both on the flat, and over jumps, have had either no, or a detrimental, effect because they've just changed the sort of horses that are racing.
Making the fences easier has let in more dodgy jumpers, and led to faster racing.
Increasing the prize-money has led to faster horses taking part - leading to a faster race.
Drainage 'improvements' have led to firmer ground - doubly dangerous as it leads to both faster racing and increases the likelihood of injury both in falls and on the flat.
The ever-increasing emphasis on speed and not sturdiness has led to more delicate horses.
The number of flat-bred horses in NH racing has increased - they're often more delicate. Particularly because incessant watering on the flat has led to horses not having to be bred to withstand the larger impact pressures associated with firm ground.
Finally, the way in which general NH obstacles have become soft as cotton wool has not helped. Horses can now kick aside most hurdles with impunity, and go straight through the top six inches or so of chase fences, which means that some of them pick up terribly bad habits. This comes back to bite them when they actually face a test like the National.
30 years ago horses knew that they had to clear the birch, or it was going to hurt them. Certainly they'd never dream of putting their front legs through the top of a fence if they could avoid it. Now it's not such a problem.
So many of the changes brought in to make things safer for the horses, both on the flat, and over jumps, have had either no, or a detrimental, effect because they've just changed the sort of horses that are racing.
History Maker, your previous post is superb and I'll submit it for the Racing Post's Forumite of the Month award.
Noone at the BHA is allowed to implement such practical solutions, though.
Noone at the BHA is allowed to implement such practical solutions, though.
By the way, the justified criticism of the BHA making the races over-competitive could equally be directed at Cheltenham, where fatalities at the NH Meeting have become at an unacceptable level.
There are two good articles in today's Racing Post from different camps. One, on page 6, is by RP reporter Peter Thomas and the other, on page 7, is from the RSPCA's equine consultant, David Muir. Both talk sense and Muir's contribution is not the usual rhetoric.
Wish Ginger was alive. Love to hear his comments on whats been said about the national.
Easy - it would have been '.....What a load of b*ll*cks ......'!!
You're right Facts that is exactly what Ginger would have said. The old school trainers like Fred Winter, Fred Rimell, Neville Crump, Fulke Walwyn, Josh Gifford, Tim Forster et. al. wouldn't recognise the Aintree course today. They trained proper National horses who could withstand the demands that the race placed upon them.
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