OMG!! has anyone seen this??
- Thread starter gembob
- Start date
Bossanova
Well-Known Member
Whats so shocking about that?
As it says, many tbs go on to do something else but there's really not enough demand for them as riding horses, especially if they have a history of injury so abbatoirs are often the sensible answer.
Yes, we should stop breeding low end tbs with poor conformation but there's demand for 'cheap' racehorses so thats the sort of animal which less wealthy people can have a bit of fun owning.
As it says, many tbs go on to do something else but there's really not enough demand for them as riding horses, especially if they have a history of injury so abbatoirs are often the sensible answer.
Yes, we should stop breeding low end tbs with poor conformation but there's demand for 'cheap' racehorses so thats the sort of animal which less wealthy people can have a bit of fun owning.
bex1984
Well-Known Member
I have to say it reads as a very emotionally-charged article to me...
I wonder what the author would have happen to some of those horses, who may have injuries from racing, or not be retrainable?
I wonder what the author would have happen to some of those horses, who may have injuries from racing, or not be retrainable?
ajn1610
Well-Known Member
I don't think that is all that bad. Obviously it would be great if all ex race horses were retrained and found happy permanent homes but I don't think that is always possible or appropriate. Frankly, if the worst thing that ever happened to a horse was being humanely destroyed in this country where we have laws in place to protect animals from mistreatment and to monitor the people handling them then the world would be a better place.
JM07
Well-Known Member
Stands well back, as the Bunny-Huggers will be rushing in fairly rapidly......
EstherSupporter...these poor souls NEED you................
EstherSupporter...these poor souls NEED you................
CastleMouse
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Stands well back, as the Bunny-Huggers will be rushing in fairly rapidly......
EstherSupporter...these poor souls NEED you................
[/ QUOTE ]
Stands well back, as the Bunny-Huggers will be rushing in fairly rapidly......
EstherSupporter...these poor souls NEED you................
[/ QUOTE ]
gembob
Well-Known Member
i know it obv happens but im desp to rehome an x racer and havin a lot of trouble finding one so to see this is horrid!
sunflower
Well-Known Member
Indeed, not really that shocking (and not exactly news either, that article is about 2 years old). What do people think happens to all the 'retired' racehorses in this country? Common sense surely tells you that there aren't 5000+ racehorses a year going into nice green fields where they can happily live for the rest of their lives.
Tinker_Belle
Well-Known Member
I'd far rather a TB be shot humanely than left in a field, shivering, covered in rainscald & a skeleton on legs as happened to Hallo Dandy, the 1984 Grand National winner.
He ended up in the wrong hands & that person thought it was ok to leave a TB out in a field with no rug, no food except the horse sick pasture he was in in the depths of winter.
They have to go somewhere & I would rather they be shot than neglected to the point of having to be euthanised because people don't know what they are taking on.
Parkranger
Well-Known Member
Firstly, you have to look at the newspaper printing it....or is that another debate entirely?!!
One interesting point is that apparently alot of horses are put down due to the fact that they don't 'jump well enough' - i thought that the real money was made in flat racing?
Better that the horse is put down than ends up in the wrong hands and becomes a 'nutter' because it's owner doesn't understand why it does what it does.
Can't say I'd want to be part of that world but it happens and while people make money out of racing it will continue to happen......at least TB's can have another 'career', unlike greyhounds.......
One interesting point is that apparently alot of horses are put down due to the fact that they don't 'jump well enough' - i thought that the real money was made in flat racing?
Better that the horse is put down than ends up in the wrong hands and becomes a 'nutter' because it's owner doesn't understand why it does what it does.
Can't say I'd want to be part of that world but it happens and while people make money out of racing it will continue to happen......at least TB's can have another 'career', unlike greyhounds.......
JM07
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
i know it obv happens but im desp to rehome an x racer and havin a lot of trouble finding one so to see this is horrid!
[/ QUOTE ]
get yourself off to Ascot sales...Brightwells are a good contact....
you'l have loads to choose from...
i know it obv happens but im desp to rehome an x racer and havin a lot of trouble finding one so to see this is horrid!
[/ QUOTE ]
get yourself off to Ascot sales...Brightwells are a good contact....
you'l have loads to choose from...
MizElz
Well-Known Member
Doesnt tell me anything I dont know.....not about the issues involved with horse slaughter in the UK, nor about the idiocy of the media...
I particularly LOVE the line: "We let the kid have a ride on the pony before it was turned into meat."
I particularly LOVE the line: "We let the kid have a ride on the pony before it was turned into meat."
racingdemon
Well-Known Member
I use Turners myself & cannot rate them more highly, they are very experienced & very good at what they do
I would FAR rather have a horse put down if it itsn't suitable for another job, some horses just aren't for one reason or another. Its far better to have a horse put down than pass it from pillar to post, potentially causing chaos, or becoming more & more uncomfortable as time goes on & lameness gets worse
Very few trainers will keep horses as pets, especially also rans who have broken down 3 times & are unlikely to stay sound for long, and they are sensible enough to know that no-one is likely to buy them off them, plenty of trainers I know give away/sell anything that can/will have a 2nd career, but as they generally put their horses 1st, most will do the responsible thing to prevent problems in the future
I'm sure plenty of people will think me as a callous person for having my hunter put down last autumn, he'd been diagnosed with kissing spines, given a 65-70% chance of recovering enough to 'return to some level of work' but I knew him well enough to know if he wasn't hunting he wasn't going to be happy, & that all the rehab would drive him insane, he hated hacking, & would sulk for days if i took another horse hunting instead of him, so decided to call it a day rather than prolong his suffering for something that he may never do again.
Sorry that turned into a ramble, I'm very Pro horse abbatoirs
I would FAR rather have a horse put down if it itsn't suitable for another job, some horses just aren't for one reason or another. Its far better to have a horse put down than pass it from pillar to post, potentially causing chaos, or becoming more & more uncomfortable as time goes on & lameness gets worse
Very few trainers will keep horses as pets, especially also rans who have broken down 3 times & are unlikely to stay sound for long, and they are sensible enough to know that no-one is likely to buy them off them, plenty of trainers I know give away/sell anything that can/will have a 2nd career, but as they generally put their horses 1st, most will do the responsible thing to prevent problems in the future
I'm sure plenty of people will think me as a callous person for having my hunter put down last autumn, he'd been diagnosed with kissing spines, given a 65-70% chance of recovering enough to 'return to some level of work' but I knew him well enough to know if he wasn't hunting he wasn't going to be happy, & that all the rehab would drive him insane, he hated hacking, & would sulk for days if i took another horse hunting instead of him, so decided to call it a day rather than prolong his suffering for something that he may never do again.
Sorry that turned into a ramble, I'm very Pro horse abbatoirs
Mavis
Well-Known Member
I think the author should see the other side of the coin - what happens when a numpty gets hold of an ex-racehorse for peanuts in a misguided attempt to 'rescue' it, then proceeds to attempt to kill themselves/the horse in the process. I'd much rather the racing industry rejects were humanely destroyed than left to fester in unsuitable homes.
JM07
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I use Turners myself & cannot rate them more highly, they are very experienced & very good at what they do
I would FAR rather have a horse put down if it itsn't suitable for another job, some horses just aren't for one reason or another. Its far better to have a horse put down than pass it from pillar to post, potentially causing chaos, or becoming more & more uncomfortable as time goes on & lameness gets worse
Very few trainers will keep horses as pets, especially also rans who have broken down 3 times & are unlikely to stay sound for long, and they are sensible enough to know that no-one is likely to buy them off them, plenty of trainers I know give away/sell anything that can/will have a 2nd career, but as they generally put their horses 1st, most will do the responsible thing to prevent problems in the future
I'm sure plenty of people will think me as a callous person for having my hunter put down last autumn, he'd been diagnosed with kissing spines, given a 65-70% chance of recovering enough to 'return to some level of work' but I knew him well enough to know if he wasn't hunting he wasn't going to be happy, & that all the rehab would drive him insane, he hated hacking, & would sulk for days if i took another horse hunting instead of him, so decided to call it a day rather than prolong his suffering for something that he may never do again.
Sorry that turned into a ramble, I'm very Pro horse abbatoirs
[/ QUOTE ]
i use Potters myelf.
he has a good rapport with the "yards" and takes alot of crap away....
i, too, am pro Abattoir..........
I use Turners myself & cannot rate them more highly, they are very experienced & very good at what they do
I would FAR rather have a horse put down if it itsn't suitable for another job, some horses just aren't for one reason or another. Its far better to have a horse put down than pass it from pillar to post, potentially causing chaos, or becoming more & more uncomfortable as time goes on & lameness gets worse
Very few trainers will keep horses as pets, especially also rans who have broken down 3 times & are unlikely to stay sound for long, and they are sensible enough to know that no-one is likely to buy them off them, plenty of trainers I know give away/sell anything that can/will have a 2nd career, but as they generally put their horses 1st, most will do the responsible thing to prevent problems in the future
I'm sure plenty of people will think me as a callous person for having my hunter put down last autumn, he'd been diagnosed with kissing spines, given a 65-70% chance of recovering enough to 'return to some level of work' but I knew him well enough to know if he wasn't hunting he wasn't going to be happy, & that all the rehab would drive him insane, he hated hacking, & would sulk for days if i took another horse hunting instead of him, so decided to call it a day rather than prolong his suffering for something that he may never do again.
Sorry that turned into a ramble, I'm very Pro horse abbatoirs
[/ QUOTE ]
i use Potters myelf.
he has a good rapport with the "yards" and takes alot of crap away....
i, too, am pro Abattoir..........
FarthingwoodFox
Well-Known Member
Better shot in the head and dead on the lorry than alive and dying on their way to France
Or even better alive and dying in someones field, neglected, unwanted and uncared for.
Fact is some animals are better off dead, until that changes I for one am happy to see these horses shot.
Or even better alive and dying in someones field, neglected, unwanted and uncared for.
Fact is some animals are better off dead, until that changes I for one am happy to see these horses shot.
JM07
Well-Known Member
i've not yet had one shot in the head and dead on my lorry, FWF, but i get your point!!
Daisychain
Well-Known Member
It is very sad, but i am sure most ex racers which may have a chance to do another job are found homes. It is better if they are humanely pts if they are not going to be suitable for anything else.
One thing which i do believe is seriously wrong though is some very top studs etc breed horses which might not be top class enough, there is absolutely nothing wrong with them except they might not win the class of race they want, these horses are pts, young fit healthy horses, that is criminal. They would not dare sell them for the fear of someone else achieving something with them... and this information is straight out of the horses mouth or so to speak.
One thing which i do believe is seriously wrong though is some very top studs etc breed horses which might not be top class enough, there is absolutely nothing wrong with them except they might not win the class of race they want, these horses are pts, young fit healthy horses, that is criminal. They would not dare sell them for the fear of someone else achieving something with them... and this information is straight out of the horses mouth or so to speak.
Bananarama
Well-Known Member
Well whilst we are making retirement homes for these ex-racers as the article suggests why don't we make retirement homes for all the dairy cows that are too old to milk or their bull calfs that are useless for milking
carthorse
Well-Known Member
One of the reasons I hate racing and anyone breeding horses for that fate.
Luck we aren't treated like that as most of us would be dead by now!
Luck we aren't treated like that as most of us would be dead by now!
Cop-Pop
Well-Known Member
It is very sad
I guess there's so much money to be made in racing tho that people keep on producing and producing.
Having been on a yard with an ex-racer on it in the wrong hands it would have been kinder to have it put down. The owners had no clue how to deal with it but fortunately they eventually got an expert in - not after the poor sod had suffered for 12 months tho
Having been on a yard with an ex-racer on it in the wrong hands it would have been kinder to have it put down. The owners had no clue how to deal with it but fortunately they eventually got an expert in - not after the poor sod had suffered for 12 months tho
YorksG
Over the hill and far awa
I honestly believe that the only people who can reasonably object to this are true vegans. As a meat eater myself I do not see the difference between horses and agricultural animals, provided the slaughter is humane where is the problem.
Thank goodness for horse slaughterers, we have had need for them in both the distant and recent past.
Thank goodness for horse slaughterers, we have had need for them in both the distant and recent past.
Booboos
Well-Known Member
It looks like I am in the minority here, but I don't agree with you guys.
I don't think the choice is either PTS or neglecting horses. If that were the choice then PTS is clearly the responsible thing to do. But there is another option and this is either breed with more restraint or put some of the massive profits into re-training and re-homing all the over-production of horses. What is so wrong with that? I have a breed of dog which is relatively rare in the UK and when one comes up in a rescue centre it can be identified back to its breeder who has to take responsibility for it again even though they sold it in good faith. Breed it - be responsible for it.
I don't think the choice is either PTS or neglecting horses. If that were the choice then PTS is clearly the responsible thing to do. But there is another option and this is either breed with more restraint or put some of the massive profits into re-training and re-homing all the over-production of horses. What is so wrong with that? I have a breed of dog which is relatively rare in the UK and when one comes up in a rescue centre it can be identified back to its breeder who has to take responsibility for it again even though they sold it in good faith. Breed it - be responsible for it.
wizzi901
Well-Known Member
Some ex racers are NOT retrainable and to be honest would be passed from pillar to post and end up either hurting someone or themselves, I would rather see them in the UK, with a bullet in their head than travelling abroad.
Gembob, there are plenty of ex racers available, ensure you do your research with people that have them as they can be tricky no matter how experienced you are, and try:-
http://www.heroscharity.org/heros_club.htm
There appear a common misconception that ex racers come free, sadly the amount of work that some of them need to be rehabilitated costs a lot of money but this link should help you, I wholly recommend them, they provide advise before, during and after and will not rehome unless they think you and the horse suit each other.
Good luck!
Gembob, there are plenty of ex racers available, ensure you do your research with people that have them as they can be tricky no matter how experienced you are, and try:-
http://www.heroscharity.org/heros_club.htm
There appear a common misconception that ex racers come free, sadly the amount of work that some of them need to be rehabilitated costs a lot of money but this link should help you, I wholly recommend them, they provide advise before, during and after and will not rehome unless they think you and the horse suit each other.
Good luck!
Taboo1968
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Iwhat happens when a numpty gets hold of an ex-racehorse for peanuts in a misguided attempt to 'rescue' it, then proceeds to attempt to kill themselves/the horse in the process. I'd much rather the racing industry rejects were humanely destroyed than left to fester in unsuitable homes.
[/ QUOTE ]
Thats one of the most sensible things I've ever heard!
Iwhat happens when a numpty gets hold of an ex-racehorse for peanuts in a misguided attempt to 'rescue' it, then proceeds to attempt to kill themselves/the horse in the process. I'd much rather the racing industry rejects were humanely destroyed than left to fester in unsuitable homes.
[/ QUOTE ]
Thats one of the most sensible things I've ever heard!
moneypit1
Well-Known Member
Bloody hell, I woud have expected just a bit of "poor things", "what a shame" etc. It IS Shocking. As a horse lover I am ashamed of this part of the industry. The point the author is making is that there is so much breeding to achieve a winner and the "waste" percentage is large. I agree that I would hate to see horses shipped abroad alive for a miserable fate but for goodness sake please lets not get to the stage where we think its ok. Poor things.
Partoow
Well-Known Member
Its the Guardian, what do you expect theses are the same sandle wearing lentil eating bigots that banned foxhunting without truely understanding the facts .
They would much rather these animals stood in a field some where and rotted i expect so that we have to have hundreds of 'operation ester' type disasters.....
I would much rather theses horses had short 'live' journeys rather than the sickening scenes of horses being transported from Poland to France for meat. Within abetoirs under UK control. It happens, its life and at the end of the day we have to balance economics and welfare and this is the best option.
I love my horses and luckily have been able to give two a really good retirement but when the time comes they will be shot, admitedly at home but it is the best way to end their lives.
We need to help the ILPH [ or whatever they are called now] to stop live transport not emotive articles like this that achieve nothing.It goes without saying that we think 'poor things ' but at this does not get us anywhere. Utilising good 'copy' for the imporovement of standards does. This article does not do anything of the kind.
How about highlighting the fate of poor donkeys in coutries like Moroco where a lot of these Guardian readers go on holiday and happily turn a blind eye then........ grrrr sorry double standards and misplaced sentiment..... makes me rant
They would much rather these animals stood in a field some where and rotted i expect so that we have to have hundreds of 'operation ester' type disasters.....
I would much rather theses horses had short 'live' journeys rather than the sickening scenes of horses being transported from Poland to France for meat. Within abetoirs under UK control. It happens, its life and at the end of the day we have to balance economics and welfare and this is the best option.
I love my horses and luckily have been able to give two a really good retirement but when the time comes they will be shot, admitedly at home but it is the best way to end their lives.
We need to help the ILPH [ or whatever they are called now] to stop live transport not emotive articles like this that achieve nothing.It goes without saying that we think 'poor things ' but at this does not get us anywhere. Utilising good 'copy' for the imporovement of standards does. This article does not do anything of the kind.
How about highlighting the fate of poor donkeys in coutries like Moroco where a lot of these Guardian readers go on holiday and happily turn a blind eye then........ grrrr sorry double standards and misplaced sentiment..... makes me rant
Baileyboo
Well-Known Member
I would much rather die here than go on a lorry for god knows how many hours and then die.
Its the same old story though, people like the good bits of things like having a bet on the grand national but would much rather bury their heads in the ground when it comes to what happens to the bad bits etc.
I studied game keeping at college and had a debate one day with a bunny hugger about how hunting, shooting, keeping animals as pets was wrong (ok perhaps not the last one but thats how it was heading) and after he had ranted for about 20 minutes I asked him if he ate meat, yes he did, I asked him if he made an effort to only eat organic or locally sourced meat that he knew the conditions that the animal was kept in he said no so I asked him to look at his own principals and leave mine alone.
People can believe in what they want to but I hate hipocrites.
Its the same old story though, people like the good bits of things like having a bet on the grand national but would much rather bury their heads in the ground when it comes to what happens to the bad bits etc.
I studied game keeping at college and had a debate one day with a bunny hugger about how hunting, shooting, keeping animals as pets was wrong (ok perhaps not the last one but thats how it was heading) and after he had ranted for about 20 minutes I asked him if he ate meat, yes he did, I asked him if he made an effort to only eat organic or locally sourced meat that he knew the conditions that the animal was kept in he said no so I asked him to look at his own principals and leave mine alone.
People can believe in what they want to but I hate hipocrites.
ghosthooves
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Bloody hell, I woud have expected just a bit of "poor things", "what a shame" etc. It IS Shocking. As a horse lover I am ashamed of this part of the industry. The point the author is making is that there is so much breeding to achieve a winner and the "waste" percentage is large. I agree that I would hate to see horses shipped abroad alive for a miserable fate but for goodness sake please lets not get to the stage where we think its ok. Poor things.
[/ QUOTE ]
Agreed.
Bloody hell, I woud have expected just a bit of "poor things", "what a shame" etc. It IS Shocking. As a horse lover I am ashamed of this part of the industry. The point the author is making is that there is so much breeding to achieve a winner and the "waste" percentage is large. I agree that I would hate to see horses shipped abroad alive for a miserable fate but for goodness sake please lets not get to the stage where we think its ok. Poor things.
[/ QUOTE ]
Agreed.
minkymoo
Well-Known Member
I do feel that the racing industry should keep a tighter rein on what is being bred. Let's be honest, there is a huge amount of indiscriminate breeding (see FHOTD blog where there is an entry about this interestingly enough... http://fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/).
I personally feel that it is the racing industry who are responsible. I personally would rather my horse got a bullet in the head than discover he had ended up somewhere like Amersham. (Mind you, he has a home for life with me so I don't think it is an issue.)
I personally feel that it is the racing industry who are responsible. I personally would rather my horse got a bullet in the head than discover he had ended up somewhere like Amersham. (Mind you, he has a home for life with me so I don't think it is an issue.)