Cheltenham Thread

81 horses killed at the Cheltenham festival since year 2000? Is that right?

The Beeb are quoting the League Against Cruel Sports with that number, who I trust about as much as the pro racing groupies.

Still, how people can keep on watching horses die in front of them escapes me.
 
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bonny said:
At least we got through the whole four days before someone had to start the whole racing should be banned malarkey so that’s something.
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I never said racing per say should be banned so read the post please, however I have observed that fatalities at Cheltenham are pretty horrific by any ones standard, and yes the bbc are quoting 81 deaths since 2000
 
humblepie said:
Have seen pictures of people struggling with umbrellas so looks like it though not sure how much. They are saying that Fact to File may not run because of the ground - I think he wants more rain though again not sure.
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Clearly they’ve never been before if they’re taking umbrellas, I’ve never been there (racing or other events) and it’s not windy!
 
Crazy_cat_lady said:
Nasty piece of work, plus the "incident" with the tarpaulin coming off the body being transported...

Hope Hewick gets a decent retirement
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He doesn’t give much regard to people either, I won’t give details to protect the privacy of someone else, but he’s not a good soul.
 
Probably going to annoy people, but, the horses that have died, have on the whole been looked after and treated extremely well, they died in most cases, either instantly or are euthanised very quickly….I hate seeing a horse fall….but what I hate even more is reading like I and many others have, is about the 4 horses or I should say 3 horses and a yearling found dead in a field beside a supermarket in Northern Ireland this week, they starved to death….
 
pistolpete said:
I am so squeamish about all these deaths. It really does make me question whether it’s ethical. Dog fighting kills animals as a by product of ‘sport’ is that different?
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I would suggest it's very different. Assumedly in a dog fight, the ultimate aim is for one of those dogs to die.

But I feel the sentiment all the same. Despite it only being a small percentage in comparison to the amount of runners, it really is grim to see four horses die in the space of a few days.

How many of us would enter our horse into an event that we know claims the lives of at least one horse, often more, every single year?
 
Jenko109 said:
I would suggest it's very different. Assumedly in a dog fight, the ultimate aim is for one of those dogs to die.

But I feel the sentiment all the same. Despite it only being a small percentage in comparison to the amount of runners, it really is grim to see four horses die in the space of a few days.

How many of us would enter our horse into an event that we know claims the lives of at least one horse, often more, every single year?
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Exactly. I know I was being a bit provocative but in all honesty is it sporting?
 
Marshpiper said:
Probably going to annoy people, but, the horses that have died, have on the whole been looked after and treated extremely well, they died in most cases, either instantly or are euthanised very quickly….I hate seeing a horse fall….but what I hate even more is reading like I and many others have, is about the 4 horses or I should say 3 horses and a yearling found dead in a field beside a supermarket in Northern Ireland this week, they starved to death….
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The owners of the latter can be prosecuted. The owners of the former are sympathised with. They both made decisions that killed their horses. I've never felt that risking the death of one of my animals while doing something I found fun was reasonable. I want to keep my animals safe because they have intrinsic value to me and it seems really weird to me that people can send horses out knowing they might die.
 
Marshpiper said:
Probably going to annoy people, but, the horses that have died, have on the whole been looked after and treated extremely well, they died in most cases, either instantly or are euthanised very quickly….I hate seeing a horse fall….but what I hate even more is reading like I and many others have, is about the 4 horses or I should say 3 horses and a yearling found dead in a field beside a supermarket in Northern Ireland this week, they starved to death….
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are they well looked after, perhaps in terms of what humans think horses should have but in horse terms and for their whole lives,? they are PTS quickly but possibly may be better if they hadn't got injured and needed PTS in the first place. :rolleyes:

not sure how we can equate them with general ill treatment of horses, neither are acceptable.
Burnttoast said:
I've never felt that risking the death of one of my animals while doing something I found fun was reasonable. I want to keep my animals safe
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exactly, an animal (or human) is at risk at any time but I feel we should do everything possible to minimise that risk. We cannot avoid it but it is up to us to keep it to a minimum. It is no great surprise to read of the deaths of the horses. When I first saw the festival advertised I just wondered how many horses would end up dead. Bit depressing that was my first thought. I struggle to see what people get out of this.
 
Marshpiper said:
Unfortunately once again unlike the owners of the racehorses, the owners of the poor starved horses are unlikely to be prosecuted because there is no way of identifying them, just more horses overbred, uncared for and left…
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But they *would* be prosecuted if they could be identified, that's the point. Neglect is unlawful, whereas exposing a horse to a disproportionate risk that occasionally kills it in public (and private) is just sport.
 
It’s legalised abuse to an extent. The horse has no say and pays potentially with his life. Neglect is completely different and although I’m absolutely not condoning it people do it without intention sometimes. Horse racing is all about money prestige and status. They all need to get into formula one. Sacrificing the odd human instead! I’m very conflicted by racing because thoroughbreds are beautiful and I do love to see them. When they’re safe and healthy.
 
pistolpete said:
It’s legalised abuse to an extent. The horse has no say and pays potentially with his life. Neglect is completely different and although I’m absolutely not condoning it people do it without intention sometimes. Horse racing is all about money prestige and status. They all need to get into formula one. Sacrificing the odd human instead! I’m very conflicted by racing because thoroughbreds are beautiful and I do love to see them. When they’re safe and healthy.
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Horses have no say on their lives or deaths for that matter, this argument crops up on every single racing thread on here and frankly just goes round and round in circles. We have horses, we ride them, we compete with them, we make all the decisions for them. Ultimately either we have and use horses or we shoot them all, sounds extreme but that’s the choice. Racing isn’t about to get banned, this thread will end shortly and then be resurrected in a few weeks when Aintree comes round, it makes no difference to anything.
 
While I watch the racing, I could never own one (not that I have the money) nor could I be involved in a syndicate, because id feel responsible if anything happened to it/wouldn't like not having a say about if it was retired or not

I think the fatality rate for Cheltenham is perhaps because it's over 4 days and big fields. Does that necessarily make it right? I dont know

I think more needs to be done about horses being flogged round the smaller tracks when they clearly arent cut out to be racehorses - there was a race that was due to be in the itv 7 this week, (NOT from Cheltenham) and the horses form was 5 pulled ups in a row. On looking him up, hed had a 2 year gap (previously owned by a certain prolific burgundy with white star on the body owner) and was now with an owner trainer, and struggling in all 5 previous races why is he still being made to do something he's clearly not into?

I didn't like the thought of EA needing "one more run" before having his retirement, especially in as renowned a tough race as the gold Cup. I don't feel this does racing any favours as what was the need to run him when he didn't have much chance? If you must do it why not the Ryanair which he's won before. I wouldn't be against a set retirement age, not just thinking about EA but in general. Ive seen on another forum it was the longest distance hes been asked to run over, why ask that of him, at his age, in one of the toughest races?

I think there should be a flag system like at badminton where horses struggling can be pulled up but unfortunately with the millions of pounds betting industry it wont be allowed

I think when it goes well, it is thrilling to watch horses at the top of their game, but there is that risk and at what point will it become enough is enough?

I actually disagree with the Grand National jumps being turned into glorified hurdles, I think speed is what kills

I do wonder if the new hurdles are too rigid. I was watching the xc race at Cheltenham and one knocked the white rails and they just came down like a showjump, could something like a frangible pin or similar be used?

It didnt sit right CH connections considering still running him in the champion hurdle until 2 werks ago, despite him having suffered 3 crashing falls, especially as the owner said about how it would lay ghosts to rest if he won - yes for YOU, the horse doesn't care that he may have missed out on a CH. In the end they made the right decision to have not run, imagine if he had and joined the fatality list, especially as the media go on about him so much

As posted, I do enjoy watching when it goes well, but it is soured by the fatalities but I cannot see a way of making it risk free
 
bonny said:
. Ultimately either we have and use horses or we shoot them all, sounds extreme but that’s the choice. Racing isn’t about to get banned, this thread will end shortly and then be resurrected in a few weeks when Aintree comes round, it makes no difference to anything.
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we could stop producing so many so there will be less to shoot or dispose of when they are past their usefulness. (that does for all horses) People commenting doesn't make any difference but this is a discussion forum and they are allowed to put their views. .
 
bonny said:
Horses have no say on their lives or deaths for that matter, this argument crops up on every single racing thread on here and frankly just goes round and round in circles. We have horses, we ride them, we compete with them, we make all the decisions for them. Ultimately either we have and use horses or we shoot them all, sounds extreme but that’s the choice. Racing isn’t about to get banned, this thread will end shortly and then be resurrected in a few weeks when Aintree comes round, it makes no difference to anything.
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The two alternatives you're positing are not the only ways to exist (or not) with horses, even if they are the only options you can imagine.
 
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