[Closed] The Grand National.

the idea trainers and owners don't care about their horses is utterly ridiculous. I expect the people associated with the training and care of Synchronised were in tears when they heard the news he had been killed. When you spend that much time looking after and developing an animal you get to know its character, and intelligent animals get to know you.

yeah, I bet they're upset they can't make any more money out of it.

Very exciting race if the horse didn't want to jump it would refuse like a few did! Stupid to even talk about informed consent with horses! I enjoy it and don't want it banned.

I can see a closed paddock, I mean thread coming along shortly... Just before the horse I backed finishes!

horse racing is very dangerous- for the horses

the HBO horseracing series luck was cancelled recently after the death of a 3rd horse in filming
at the same time 5 horses were killed at this year cheltenham festival
theres no suggestion that will be cancelled!

though 2 horses at this years national, after safety measures introduced after last years deaths...maybe something will change

but i doubt it, killing animals in the name of sport/profit seems as popular as ever

Frankle got injured today at his stables and wont race again. Shame stunning horse, i bet he wouldnt have been pts if he had broken his leg. Mill Reef got fixed and they gave it a good go with Barbero but old nag geldings are worth much.

Loose horses continue round the national course of their own choice, remember- there's not one horse in the field that doesn't want to run and jump.

I know that. And fighting dogs will fight each other to death. It's all cruelty. I'm not against horse racing, but this steeplechase seems to kill a lot of horses.

two horses died...
how many people were murdered today.. by family members in thier own homes?
how many people died because of lack of care/compassion..?

those animals had wonderful lives, they run because they want too ( dont want to run? ask those riderless horses who gamble along for the fun of it..) thier riders owners trainers stable lads loved them like family and will miss them long after 'concerned of the metropolis' has found a new cause to be banner man for..

how many people were murdered today.. by family members in thier own homes?

Given the bun fight above it would be insensitive to gloat about backing the winner, third, fourth and fifth placed horses.

those animals had wonderful lives, they run because they want too ( dont want to run? ask those riderless horses who gamble along for the fun of it..)

The loose horses aren't running for fun, they are running for their lives. They gallop out of fear, it's a herd instinct as in the wild the herd animal at the back gets eaten.

Look at some photos, they've all got their ears back which is normally taken as a negative emotion indicator. Horses which are running for fun (and they do, this is really obvious when you ride) have their ears forward.

[img] [/img]

Like this? Or further forward? Though I imagine the wind might blast em back a bit.

Have read all the above with interest as my other half is a big supporter of animal rights. I disagree with her on many fronts, but having thought about yesterday's race I simply cannot see there is a decent defense for carrying on in it's current form.

There is always risk in life, and I do not disagree with horses being used in sport. However, the level of risk in this race seems unacceptable, and even in flat racing there are things I can't agree with (mainly racing horses that are too young to be ridden by any normal standards).

So - if the race is to carry on I think it has to change substantially to get the risk down to a more acceptable level.

Just my opinion, of course...

tomaso - forget the STW bun fight, if the above are to believed half the racing world are in mourning for the dead horses and out of respect won't be collecting their winnings.