Do you think the Grand National is cruel?

Question

today was the grand national, im not some raging animal rights person but I think it is so cruel, all horse racing is bad but the grand national is extra long and they have some really hard jumps, horses fall hurt themselves and need to get put down its all so dumb and needless, whats your thoughts?

Answer 1

i am very much for animal rights but i think racehorses have a good life. they are well cared for. they get out for a run. and while racing they can , and often do stop if they're tired.. i agree with you thats its bad if they fall and get injured. but at least they had a good life. i wont show a link because right now i havent got one, but i have seen horses in cages. 6 to a very small cage. its horrific

sorry i have found a link of horse cruelty . you need to be brave to watch it but here it is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyF3IcIK2...

Answer 2

It's only cruel if you are a horse or an unlucky gambler. Fortunately I'm neither.

Answer 3

Personally I do not think it is cruel - did you see those two horses without riders right at the front of everyone else for a while?  When a horse pulls up its their way of saying "no way am I jumping that - I've had enough".  As you saw with other horses their attitude is something like "oh well, I've lost my rider but I'm really enjoying this - off we go - see ya human lol".

All of the horses in the Grand National or any another horse race is fully vetted on a regular basis, top quality foods, ample exercise and pampering and should the worst happen in a race and the animal has to be destroyed it is quick and painless - there is minimal suffering for the animal.  When you read the link below, hopefully, I won't get so many thumbs down and people might be able to see my point of view, especially if you think that the horses in the article attached died the most horific and painful way.

Thank you

Barney Ard - apparently one horse died today but as I said above - they are put down almost immediately - I hope the article below makes you change your views - not completely but slightly at least.

Answer 4

It's not for the timid - but I think the jockeys are just as likely to kill themselves.

I don't think horse racing is bad.  No, I don't agree with you, but I see your point.

Answer 5

yes i do, i think the race is very cruel,  good question,    blue

Answer 6

No, I don't think it's cruel. If you don't like it, don't watch it or read about it.

Answer 7

Those horses are bred to race, no other reason

If a horse doesn't want to run or jump, believe me it wont

Answer 8

I am no animal rights extremist either but no one can deny that the 30 jump race is an absolutely gruelling experience for the horses. How many horses died this year?

Answer 9

Yes it is very cruel.

Answer 10

I feel the same way, but like someone else said. "If the jockey falls off, the horse carries in running", So why is he running,?

He's enjoying it.

Answer 11

i am active in animal rights and believe strongly in it, but i had bets on the grand national today, those horses are well looked after and are bred to race, they are better looked after than horses who are just stuck in a field, and yes some do get fatal accidents but its better they have a nice life beforehand than are stuck in a paddock or field where they could get hurt to, its not like greyhound racing where they just disgard the dogs asap and dont treat them with care and love, as horse race owners do.

It may be abit cruel and not really necessary but there are worse things going on in the world and every animal activist needs to pick their battles the rules and regulations are very strict and its just not worth the arguement as some much more needy causes are.

Answer 12

wonderfull

I won money on it

I had the first / because of tv today about dr who

I had 2nd because I used to live in odiham

Answer 13

I'm not against horse racing in general (apart from when the jockeys over-use their whips), but I do agree that the Grand National is an unnecessarily cruel race. There seems to be fatalities almost every year. The track and the jumps are too hard on them.

Answer 14

I can't understand why the more dangerous fences or jumps aren't just made less dangerous to give the horses a better chance of surviving this race.I love horse racing but I do think this is one event that needs adjustments made.

Answer 15

There's no accounting for taste, I personally hate to see any animal suffer and I am sure these poor beasts do,some will argue it's there nature to run, can you imagine how it must feel for the horse with a man kicking his heels and using that crop on it's back, all in the name of "Sport"

Answer 16

would you rather have horses locked inside a shed and do nothing or run and jump around and getting some exercise???

Answer 17

all goes to make a tin of dog food?

Answer 18

yes it is

so many horses get hurt and destroyed during this annual bit of 'fun'

i never bet on this british 'tradition'

Answer 19

I totally agree with you.  Id have the owners jump the fences if they want a race.

Answer 20

Read or watch Sea Biscuit - the film turned book about the legendary American pre-war racehorse. Or, go along to any Polo match or race training.

The horses Love to race: they have been bred to be naturally competative. You see how when many loose their jockeys they will continue to run.

Yes, some are abused and yes it is a shame when they go lame or have to be put down. But its jolly good fun :)

Answer 21

I hate watching it, I hate seeing the horses fall. But I watched today as i had a bet on and I was with some friends. It was interesting to watch the riderless horses today though, they didnt want to jump, they ran around the jumps where possible and then ran off when they had had enough.

One horse had a fatal fall. I think you're right, its too long and some of the fences are too high.

Answer 22

It is sad when a horse is fatally injured, but I don't think racing is cruel.  I've ridden race horses, and they love to gallop.  Regulations are much tighter now and any cruelty to the horses is harshly dealt with, for example a jockey who brutally whips a horse would be disqualified, (most of the time, they wave the whip without actually striking the horse).  I don't see a problem with racing as long as the horses welfare is a priority, and luckily most of those who fall are not badly injured.  Accidents can happen in all sorts of events, from racing to showjumping to dressage,and it is always sad when a horse is injured, but on balance, most horses never pick up an injury and the horses, riders and spectators all get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

Answer 23

NO BECAUSE MY HORSE WON!! GET ON £70 FOR MEEEEEEEE YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Answer 24

Yes I do. Its not about the ability of the animal. If it were then they would not use the whips to get the last bit of energy out of the poor think. I cant watch it it makes me cry. I hate to see the horses fall but as long as they get up I dont care about the jockey. Someone should sit on a jockeys back and whip him till he frothing at the mouth and sweating

Answer 25

It is a cruel, one horse died today on the course.

All the people who like horse racing do not think in this way,Grand National is an annual event to enjoy,maybe gamble or have a day out at the races.!!! nuff said