spotty_pony
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RIP
xxx
RIP Mckelvey
- Thread starter Tinkerbee
- Start date
mickey
Well-Known Member
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I knew this would happen, ever since the one show started following McKelvey it was obvious he was going to die. RIP gorgeous boy. I refuse to watch it as well! Was pissed off to hear Radio 1 started a sweep stakes to see how many fallers there would be and was disgusted by this cos townies obviously dont realise that fallers could die.......arseholes! sorry im sooo cross about him dying
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Radio 1 - you ignorant idiots.....
I knew this would happen, ever since the one show started following McKelvey it was obvious he was going to die. RIP gorgeous boy. I refuse to watch it as well! Was pissed off to hear Radio 1 started a sweep stakes to see how many fallers there would be and was disgusted by this cos townies obviously dont realise that fallers could die.......arseholes! sorry im sooo cross about him dying
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Radio 1 - you ignorant idiots.....
Flame_
Well-Known Member
RIP McKelvey. I hope he enjoyed himself up to his accident. I love the Grand National but IMO he shouldn't have been doing that level of work twelve months after a tendon injury - if ever again with that kind of weakness, not that that necessarily caused his death.
CastleMouse
Well-Known Member
RIP
L
lilym
Guest
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at least he went doing something he loved instead of bored out of his mind as a field ornament....
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ditto
at least he went doing something he loved instead of bored out of his mind as a field ornament....
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ditto
glenruby
Well-Known Member
Well, in fairness, Aldaniti came and won the Grand National after a series of serious leg injuries. If McKelvey had won today - wuld your thought on whether or not he should have run be different? Would you even think about it? probably not.
If previous underdog success stories are anything to go by, I think everyone would be hailing horse, trainer and connections as heros.
If previous underdog success stories are anything to go by, I think everyone would be hailing horse, trainer and connections as heros.
ladyt25
Well-Known Member
So, does anyone know what actually happened to the horse? Was it not directly related to the race then? I hate it when horses die doing this and I do think they run too many horses in this race BUT just look at the horses who have run it regularly (hedgehunter for example), still going strong and still loving it. Personally I thought the race this year didn't look as much carnage as previous years and many horses looked to finish relatively fresh.
I think owners of NH horse care a lot more than in flat racing TBH and I have friends who work in the industry (not flat racing tho) who tell me of 2yos that are destroyed as they're deemed not good enough (nothing physically wrong with them tho). We don't hear about these though do we. At least with NH horses they can go on for years and have a good quality of life and love what they do. I work in the insurance industry and you wouldn't believe the amount of deaths there are with horse just injuring themselves in a field or out hacking so I guess it's all relative.
Nobody likes to see an animal injured or killed and yes maybe BBC Radio 1 should be made to apologise for their idiocy but then it takes us to bring this to their attention nad tell them we think their attitude is wrong. I feel for the poor lad/lass and the connections for the horse they obviously cared enough to bring him back to fitness in the first place.
I think owners of NH horse care a lot more than in flat racing TBH and I have friends who work in the industry (not flat racing tho) who tell me of 2yos that are destroyed as they're deemed not good enough (nothing physically wrong with them tho). We don't hear about these though do we. At least with NH horses they can go on for years and have a good quality of life and love what they do. I work in the insurance industry and you wouldn't believe the amount of deaths there are with horse just injuring themselves in a field or out hacking so I guess it's all relative.
Nobody likes to see an animal injured or killed and yes maybe BBC Radio 1 should be made to apologise for their idiocy but then it takes us to bring this to their attention nad tell them we think their attitude is wrong. I feel for the poor lad/lass and the connections for the horse they obviously cared enough to bring him back to fitness in the first place.
catnumber5
Well-Known Member
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I hear what you are saying. I have always had the impression (and I may be wrong) that fewer event horses die in the sport or end up with significant injuries that may result in them being destroyed (whether the injury itself is acute or perhaps more chronic and career ending).
Perhaps I have the wrong impression, but it seems to me that race horses are put under strain at a very young age, before perhaps their bodies are ready for it. Some of the footage I have seen on TV about hundreds of ex-racers being sent to the knacler man and destroyed because they didn't make the grade also was tough to see.
I agree that horse deaths do occur in eventing, but the overall 'attitude' in the industry seems more caring towards the horse IMO. Also, I should think the number of deaths in eventing (horses) is far lower than the racing industry. If I am wrong, please correct me.
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I think you will find that it is the flat racing where horses are started so young - and where many end up being destroyed. NH horses have a different start. Why are people so much more against the GN than flat racing? I think that NH horses actually have a better quality of life than the flat race horses.
There are a high number of horse fatalities in eventing (of both horses and riders). Accidents that occur at lesser events do not always make the headlines.
I hear what you are saying. I have always had the impression (and I may be wrong) that fewer event horses die in the sport or end up with significant injuries that may result in them being destroyed (whether the injury itself is acute or perhaps more chronic and career ending).
Perhaps I have the wrong impression, but it seems to me that race horses are put under strain at a very young age, before perhaps their bodies are ready for it. Some of the footage I have seen on TV about hundreds of ex-racers being sent to the knacler man and destroyed because they didn't make the grade also was tough to see.
I agree that horse deaths do occur in eventing, but the overall 'attitude' in the industry seems more caring towards the horse IMO. Also, I should think the number of deaths in eventing (horses) is far lower than the racing industry. If I am wrong, please correct me.
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I think you will find that it is the flat racing where horses are started so young - and where many end up being destroyed. NH horses have a different start. Why are people so much more against the GN than flat racing? I think that NH horses actually have a better quality of life than the flat race horses.
There are a high number of horse fatalities in eventing (of both horses and riders). Accidents that occur at lesser events do not always make the headlines.
Bedlam
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I knew this would happen, ever since the one show started following McKelvey it was obvious he was going to die. RIP gorgeous boy. I refuse to watch it as well! Was pissed off to hear Radio 1 started a sweep stakes to see how many fallers there would be and was disgusted by this cos townies obviously dont realise that fallers could die.......arseholes! sorry im sooo cross about him dying
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What the...?!!!?
How was it obvious he was going to die....?!
Do you honestly think his connections sent him into that race knowing he was going to die...?!!?
I knew this would happen, ever since the one show started following McKelvey it was obvious he was going to die. RIP gorgeous boy. I refuse to watch it as well! Was pissed off to hear Radio 1 started a sweep stakes to see how many fallers there would be and was disgusted by this cos townies obviously dont realise that fallers could die.......arseholes! sorry im sooo cross about him dying
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What the...?!!!?
How was it obvious he was going to die....?!
Do you honestly think his connections sent him into that race knowing he was going to die...?!!?
lhotse
Well-Known Member
Having viewed the race again, he unseated at the 20th, ran on and jumped the next, and then appeared to roll over into the bottom of the rail some way off the fence. You can't actually see him fall but the rail looked intact so don't think he collided with it. Maybe he suffered a heart attack or his leg gave out a again.
VictoriaEDT
Well-Known Member
urm yes...its called fate!
apkelly01
Well-Known Member
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I think you will find that it is the flat racing where horses are started so young - and where many end up being destroyed. NH horses have a different start. Why are people so much more against the GN than flat racing? I think that NH horses actually have a better quality of life than the flat race horses.
There are a high number of horse fatalities in eventing (of both horses and riders). Accidents that occur at lesser events do not always make the headlines.
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Agree with you 100% here. Flat racing is by far worse then NH. It horrible to see babies being raced, they are too young! At least in NH you'll see horses coming back year after year - even the not so good ones but you don't see the same with the flat racers. My vet once told me that she treats a lot of babies who have flat raced and whose bone structure have crumbled under the mass of muscles they have built. She says their pelvis practically explode under the strain! Their bones aren't mature enough for it
I think you will find that it is the flat racing where horses are started so young - and where many end up being destroyed. NH horses have a different start. Why are people so much more against the GN than flat racing? I think that NH horses actually have a better quality of life than the flat race horses.
There are a high number of horse fatalities in eventing (of both horses and riders). Accidents that occur at lesser events do not always make the headlines.
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Agree with you 100% here. Flat racing is by far worse then NH. It horrible to see babies being raced, they are too young! At least in NH you'll see horses coming back year after year - even the not so good ones but you don't see the same with the flat racers. My vet once told me that she treats a lot of babies who have flat raced and whose bone structure have crumbled under the mass of muscles they have built. She says their pelvis practically explode under the strain! Their bones aren't mature enough for it
Bedlam
Well-Known Member
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urm yes...its called fate!
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........what......?!!
If you really knew he was going to die, why didn't you contact the connections and warn them...?
We'll have to call you Mystic Meg from now on I think.....but hang on a minute......you only predicted his demise AFTER the event, so may be not so mystic afterall.....
urm yes...its called fate!
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........what......?!!
If you really knew he was going to die, why didn't you contact the connections and warn them...?
We'll have to call you Mystic Meg from now on I think.....but hang on a minute......you only predicted his demise AFTER the event, so may be not so mystic afterall.....
VictoriaEDT
Well-Known Member
steady....its only an opinion for which I am entitled to...as are you so no need to get nasty or sarcastic! im sure you wouldnt to my face
Daisychain
Well-Known Member
It is terribly sad, and no one wants it to happen, but it has to be remembered that these animals are bred to do a job, generally well looked after and loved, cattle, sheep, pigs and chickens are also bred for a job, which is to be eaten and think of the stress they can suffer in the slaughter house etc.
I just think you do have to put it in perspective, and many horses have horrific injuries being turned out in the field but we still turn them out everyday.
I just think you do have to put it in perspective, and many horses have horrific injuries being turned out in the field but we still turn them out everyday.
VictoriaEDT
Well-Known Member
and no im not "mystic meg"! all I was saying is that when there is so much emphesis (courtesy of the one show) put on one particular horse especially when he had near fatal injuries last year, it was obvious that something horrible was going to happen to him as in my opinion (and yes I am allowed one!) he should not have run especially with the whole nation watching his every move for the past few weeks.
hadfos
Well-Known Member
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I hear what you are saying. I have always had the impression (and I may be wrong) that fewer event horses die in the sport or end up with significant injuries that may result in them being destroyed (whether the injury itself is acute or perhaps more chronic and career ending).
Perhaps I have the wrong impression, but it seems to me that race horses are put under strain at a very young age, before perhaps their bodies are ready for it. Some of the footage I have seen on TV about hundreds of ex-racers being sent to the knacler man and destroyed because they didn't make the grade also was tough to see.
I agree that horse deaths do occur in eventing, but the overall 'attitude' in the industry seems more caring towards the horse IMO. Also, I should think the number of deaths in eventing (horses) is far lower than the racing industry. If I am wrong, please correct me.
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I think you will find that it is the flat racing where horses are started so young - and where many end up being destroyed. NH horses have a different start. Why are people so much more against the GN than flat racing? I think that NH horses actually have a better quality of life than the flat race horses.
There are a high number of horse fatalities in eventing (of both horses and riders). Accidents that occur at lesser events do not always make the headlines.
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Have to disagree there!!It is the flat horses that go hurdling that usally end up with snapped limbs
NH horses yes bred with more bone and broken at a later age,flat horses that havnt made the grade go hurdling with their little legs!!
[ QUOTE ]
I hear what you are saying. I have always had the impression (and I may be wrong) that fewer event horses die in the sport or end up with significant injuries that may result in them being destroyed (whether the injury itself is acute or perhaps more chronic and career ending).
Perhaps I have the wrong impression, but it seems to me that race horses are put under strain at a very young age, before perhaps their bodies are ready for it. Some of the footage I have seen on TV about hundreds of ex-racers being sent to the knacler man and destroyed because they didn't make the grade also was tough to see.
I agree that horse deaths do occur in eventing, but the overall 'attitude' in the industry seems more caring towards the horse IMO. Also, I should think the number of deaths in eventing (horses) is far lower than the racing industry. If I am wrong, please correct me.
[/ QUOTE ]
I think you will find that it is the flat racing where horses are started so young - and where many end up being destroyed. NH horses have a different start. Why are people so much more against the GN than flat racing? I think that NH horses actually have a better quality of life than the flat race horses.
There are a high number of horse fatalities in eventing (of both horses and riders). Accidents that occur at lesser events do not always make the headlines.
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Have to disagree there!!It is the flat horses that go hurdling that usally end up with snapped limbs
hadfos
Well-Known Member
Do apologise if i had read the post correctly
!!You have gone on to say what i did,lol,yes i agree with you,horses bred for NH have a better life,most on big yards are trained to be ridden correctly so if they dont make it as jumpers they have a life outside racing!The ruling states the age,which is why most are fed up to the eyeballs to develop quickly to race on the flat,and if they dont make it they go over jumps!
VictoriaEDT
Well-Known Member
lol, bless you Hadfos!!!!
Natch
Well-Known Member
To the person who says people are so much more against GN than flat, I think its because GN is so high profile, flat not so much. If something goes wrong on GN, we all know about it. I couldn't tell you the last time if any I heard about a flat, or come to think of it other NH race where a horse died. These days its unusual for a GN weekend to go by without a death. if there's not a death in the main race there often is on other races that weekend.
I do just think racing = driven by money = a lot of pressure for performance, little regard to welfare (from the fat cats, the stable staff generally care very much about the horses).
As for dying doing what he loved, hmm. I'm not sure we can say either way if he loved racing. But I'd be prepared to bet he'd have enjoyed being allowed to be a horse in retirement. likely? Not a chance, that would be a cost without opportunity for profit, unless he was sent to work as a stallion (not sure if he had his 'bits'??)
I do just think racing = driven by money = a lot of pressure for performance, little regard to welfare (from the fat cats, the stable staff generally care very much about the horses).
As for dying doing what he loved, hmm. I'm not sure we can say either way if he loved racing. But I'd be prepared to bet he'd have enjoyed being allowed to be a horse in retirement. likely? Not a chance, that would be a cost without opportunity for profit, unless he was sent to work as a stallion (not sure if he had his 'bits'??)
vicijp
Well-Known Member
QR
Irrelevant of how the death occured, the horse shouldn't have been there in the first place.
Whatever you do to a tendon, they take a year to heal and strengthen. All the time people come along with these new ideas (stem cell?), but they all prove to be a waste of time at best.
On the back of 2 crap runs the horse shouldn't have been running in a 2 runner seller, let alone the National.
We all know that horses are patched up and bodged for runs every day, but that doesn't make it right. The one chance the BHA had of a vet failing the horse to run (which surely any self resepcting vet who watched the National last year would do), and they wiimp out and take the easy option.
The racing authorities have all but asked for something like this to happen.
Irrelevant of how the death occured, the horse shouldn't have been there in the first place.
Whatever you do to a tendon, they take a year to heal and strengthen. All the time people come along with these new ideas (stem cell?), but they all prove to be a waste of time at best.
On the back of 2 crap runs the horse shouldn't have been running in a 2 runner seller, let alone the National.
We all know that horses are patched up and bodged for runs every day, but that doesn't make it right. The one chance the BHA had of a vet failing the horse to run (which surely any self resepcting vet who watched the National last year would do), and they wiimp out and take the easy option.
The racing authorities have all but asked for something like this to happen.
ru-fi-do
Well-Known Member
Here's an article from the Sunday independent, it's says he was humanely put to sleep after an injury. Sunday News
jc014c4710
New User
Who,as the human race,do we think we are to decide the fate of defenseless animals?
Mckelvey was near fatally injured in the GN in 2007,in fact the course vet advised "destroying" him there and then.
If Mckelvey had have been a no hoper that probabley would have been the case,but he finished second in the "race", thus sealing his fate.
A decision was made to try to nurse Mckelvey back to health.That was achieved and rightfully so.
But the investment made in achieving that goal was not for the benefit of the horse but for the self gratification of the people involved with Mcelvey,maybe,maybe,just maybe he could win the 2008 GN.
Mckelvey should have been retired,the risks involved in putting him through another GN were as plain as nose on his face.
How can the horse racing fraternity be so callous?
Someone should be prosecuted.Peter Bowen,Mckelvey's Trainer, should hang his head in shame.
I take a very cynical view in the events leading up to the death of Mckelvey.But sometimes cynicism uncovers the truth.
Mckelvey was near fatally injured in the GN in 2007,in fact the course vet advised "destroying" him there and then.
If Mckelvey had have been a no hoper that probabley would have been the case,but he finished second in the "race", thus sealing his fate.
A decision was made to try to nurse Mckelvey back to health.That was achieved and rightfully so.
But the investment made in achieving that goal was not for the benefit of the horse but for the self gratification of the people involved with Mcelvey,maybe,maybe,just maybe he could win the 2008 GN.
Mckelvey should have been retired,the risks involved in putting him through another GN were as plain as nose on his face.
How can the horse racing fraternity be so callous?
Someone should be prosecuted.Peter Bowen,Mckelvey's Trainer, should hang his head in shame.
I take a very cynical view in the events leading up to the death of Mckelvey.But sometimes cynicism uncovers the truth.
VictoriaEDT
Well-Known Member
I dont know how they vet horses pre GN race but McKelvey may well have passed a trot up, as would my horse but there is no way he would stand up to the GN! I would like to see how many vets McKelveys trainers ignored (advice wise) re bringing him into work so soon let alone running a GN 12 months after his injury. I just can only think that his welfare was of lesser importance than being "the trainer to have succeeded in rehabilitating a horse with horrific injuries last year and run him this year and succeeding"........
VictoriaEDT
Well-Known Member
gloster_image
Well-Known Member
I think one thing people need to remember is that racing is FAR more high profile than the other sports. There is a HUGE amount of event horses destroyed during eventing, often on arrival home from the event, but these don't hit the headlines because they are lower level/not so high profile horses.
a lot of people need to open their eyes - if they're against the GN and racing then they should, be default, be against all horse sports and while we're at it, even having horses turned out as i've seen far more horses die in the field than i have racing.
While we're at it....why don't we just let all our horses go feral/?? (i'm taking the mick by the way! )
a lot of people need to open their eyes - if they're against the GN and racing then they should, be default, be against all horse sports and while we're at it, even having horses turned out as i've seen far more horses die in the field than i have racing.
While we're at it....why don't we just let all our horses go feral/?? (i'm taking the mick by the way! )
jc014c4710
New User
The issue here is not against the GN or against equestrian sport in general.The issue is against the way in which one horse, (Mckelvey), has been treated sinse his injury in 2007 i.e. a total and blatant disregard for his safety.
"A DOG IS FOR LIFE NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS.
A HORSE IS FOR LIFE NOT JUST FOR THE GRAND NATIONAL." jc014c4710 2008
"A DOG IS FOR LIFE NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS.
A HORSE IS FOR LIFE NOT JUST FOR THE GRAND NATIONAL." jc014c4710 2008
Fantasy_World
Well-Known Member
It is very sad that this horse died yesterday but I cannot agree with any opinion that he should not have raced.
Peter and Karen are very nice people. They love their horses.
I cannot even begin to contemplate that they ran their horse yesterday with the preconception that it was not up to the job.
Two poor runs before the race has nothing to do with the horse's chances in the race.
For gawdness sake he was being prepared for one race, one race only.
If poor form is anything to go by then how do you account for the sudden turn around in form of the winner Comply or Die, ok so he was 1st and 2nd respectively on his last two starts but the one's before that were dire ( I had backed him on one of them) . He was never travelling at Cheltenham in October and then a month later in what used to be the Flowers handicap chase he put in another dismal performance ( pu) behind the recently retired Sir Rembrandt. He then finished second behind Cloudy Lane at Haydock in Dec sporting first time blinkers before winning the Northern National last month.
I don't believe the blinkers were the whole reason for his turn around. He was being trained specifically for the national. His good run in Dec at Haydock was probably to ensure he got in at the weights as he raced there off a mark of 134 ( had been dropped 6lbs since start of season) and any further drops could have put him at risk of making the cut for the race as the ratings of the horses at the top of the handicap seem to get better all the time.
Mckelvey was also being aimed at the National. Bowen was training him specifically for the race. You also have to remember that any poor form shown before Chelt and Aintree by any of his runners could have been attributed to a virus or horses recovering from them as he did state his horses were out of form a short while ago. He ran in last year's race off a mark 0f 136 and started this year off a rating of 144 over fences. He was much lower over hurdles so Bowen employed the trick of preserving his chase rating along with not taxing him over the larger obstacles with two runs over hurdles prior to Aintree.
While his runs were nowhere near short of his best this horse was being prepared for one day only the Grand National.
First time out at Donc last month he carried second top weight 11-10, raced a bit keen and a short lived effort saw him weaken before 3 out. A few weeks later over 3m at Newcastle, carrying top weight 11-12 he raced up with the pace and weakened 3 out to finish last. Admittedly on the face of it that form does not look good enough to win a national or even to be placed in one. However due to his previous injury one would guess that he was being nursed along and steadily brought to a peak in time for Aintree. He most certainly looked well enough yesterday and was fit enough ( looked lean and toned not burly) to do himself justice. What happened to him was an accident which could happen to any horse at any time especially in big fields such as the National. For me personally I don't believe any apportion of blame can be made towards Bowen, his wife, the owner or indeed anyone connected with the horse.
He had successfully been treated for what could have been a career ending injury for some horses and tried very hard to get him back.
The horse was very brave in putting up with all the treatment and attention he no doubt had and looked ready to do himself justice yesterday.
A sad loss for all concerned but Mckelvey had every right to be there yesterday.
Caroline
Peter and Karen are very nice people. They love their horses.
I cannot even begin to contemplate that they ran their horse yesterday with the preconception that it was not up to the job.
Two poor runs before the race has nothing to do with the horse's chances in the race.
For gawdness sake he was being prepared for one race, one race only.
If poor form is anything to go by then how do you account for the sudden turn around in form of the winner Comply or Die, ok so he was 1st and 2nd respectively on his last two starts but the one's before that were dire ( I had backed him on one of them) . He was never travelling at Cheltenham in October and then a month later in what used to be the Flowers handicap chase he put in another dismal performance ( pu) behind the recently retired Sir Rembrandt. He then finished second behind Cloudy Lane at Haydock in Dec sporting first time blinkers before winning the Northern National last month.
I don't believe the blinkers were the whole reason for his turn around. He was being trained specifically for the national. His good run in Dec at Haydock was probably to ensure he got in at the weights as he raced there off a mark of 134 ( had been dropped 6lbs since start of season) and any further drops could have put him at risk of making the cut for the race as the ratings of the horses at the top of the handicap seem to get better all the time.
Mckelvey was also being aimed at the National. Bowen was training him specifically for the race. You also have to remember that any poor form shown before Chelt and Aintree by any of his runners could have been attributed to a virus or horses recovering from them as he did state his horses were out of form a short while ago. He ran in last year's race off a mark 0f 136 and started this year off a rating of 144 over fences. He was much lower over hurdles so Bowen employed the trick of preserving his chase rating along with not taxing him over the larger obstacles with two runs over hurdles prior to Aintree.
While his runs were nowhere near short of his best this horse was being prepared for one day only the Grand National.
First time out at Donc last month he carried second top weight 11-10, raced a bit keen and a short lived effort saw him weaken before 3 out. A few weeks later over 3m at Newcastle, carrying top weight 11-12 he raced up with the pace and weakened 3 out to finish last. Admittedly on the face of it that form does not look good enough to win a national or even to be placed in one. However due to his previous injury one would guess that he was being nursed along and steadily brought to a peak in time for Aintree. He most certainly looked well enough yesterday and was fit enough ( looked lean and toned not burly) to do himself justice. What happened to him was an accident which could happen to any horse at any time especially in big fields such as the National. For me personally I don't believe any apportion of blame can be made towards Bowen, his wife, the owner or indeed anyone connected with the horse.
He had successfully been treated for what could have been a career ending injury for some horses and tried very hard to get him back.
The horse was very brave in putting up with all the treatment and attention he no doubt had and looked ready to do himself justice yesterday.
A sad loss for all concerned but Mckelvey had every right to be there yesterday.
Caroline
ladyt25
Well-Known Member
I have to sort of agree with Staffs here, I don't believe anyone would have entered a horse in the race that wasn't fit enough and I am sure vets would have given it the all clear as surely it would have been under veterinary treatment since the initial injury? Plus, nobody actually seems to know what the cause of death/euthanasia was, was it even anything to do with the previous injury?
It is a sad fact of NH racing but also there are regularly horse deaths out hunting, hacking and eventing (i am well aware of the amount due to the amount of death claims we pay out for!). There are also several horse that die in Flat racing, in fact I think fairly recently 3 horses died/were killed in a flat race in Australia and I don't believe that's an isolated case, we just don't see it as much and the Grand National I would presume gets tonnes more viewers than a normal weekend's racing. Accidents do happen but I don't think I've heard of any of the big 3 day events recently where at least one horse hasn't died.
Sadly horse riding in general is a dangerous pastime for both horse and rider but would you stop hacking out /showjumping/eventing just because thousands die every year doing it? Would you prefer horses were just bred for meat? Personally i wouldn't. I just wonder how many horses died yesterday from field injuries and maybe injuries out competing at lower level events?
It is a sad fact of NH racing but also there are regularly horse deaths out hunting, hacking and eventing (i am well aware of the amount due to the amount of death claims we pay out for!). There are also several horse that die in Flat racing, in fact I think fairly recently 3 horses died/were killed in a flat race in Australia and I don't believe that's an isolated case, we just don't see it as much and the Grand National I would presume gets tonnes more viewers than a normal weekend's racing. Accidents do happen but I don't think I've heard of any of the big 3 day events recently where at least one horse hasn't died.
Sadly horse riding in general is a dangerous pastime for both horse and rider but would you stop hacking out /showjumping/eventing just because thousands die every year doing it? Would you prefer horses were just bred for meat? Personally i wouldn't. I just wonder how many horses died yesterday from field injuries and maybe injuries out competing at lower level events?