The 'Grand' National?

fburton said:
Agree that insults are totally unnecessary and counterproductive.
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Possibly so, but having read most of the posts, from the poster in question, I'd say that I'm in agreement with Her/Him. Sometimes, when those who speak from experience are contradicted by those who whilst lacking experience, none the less offer theory as fact, then it can become a little frustrating. Failing to contradict nonsense, only serves to support the nonsensical. Frustration can often promote a sharp tongue!

Alec.
 
I love racing, and have always watched the GN with a mixture of excitement, pride for the horses and concern for when they fall. The GN horses are my heroes, and the race is part of our history. I also love Cheltenham too (more than the GN probably as this is where the true quality is)

However, some of the comments on this thread have been unnecessary, and it has not escaped my notice that those who are questioning racing and have concerns re the horses, have addressed the argument politely, and the vast majority of name calling and insults have come from those in favour of racing.

I suppose that would leave people to draw their own conclusions on this apparent fact (I also acknowledge that many pro racing have been polite in their responses also, with great information shared)

I find it sad that there cannot be an adult debate without particular factions becoming aggressive in tone and insulting.
 
applecart14 said:
But what we are saying in my eyes is that it is okay for horses to do this because they are a) easily disposed of b) no one givens a damn anyway c) their lives are not really worth that much.

Totally shocking.
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The only person who is saying this is you, others take more measured approach.
You would think that all other horses are kept in nice fields by knowledgeable owners and tended by good vets. Frankly what I find shocking is how little knowledge horse owners have when they buy one. We regularly see people on here claiming to love their horse, but keeping it in a stable 23/7, they are asking for diagnoses of lameness, apparently they can't afford a vet! The general standard of riding is very poor. This is not Utopia, it is real life.
Not all horses in racing are backed at two, not all are shot after their racing life is over.
Are you a vegan, because there are plenty of issues in animal welfare which are more contentious imho.
 
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Bonkers2 said:
The only person who is saying this is you, others take more measured approach.
You would think that all other horses are kept in nice fields by knowledgeable owners and tended by good vets. Frankly what I find shocking is how little knowledge horse owners have when they buy one. We regularly see people on here claiming to love their horse, but keeping it in a stable 23/7, they are asking for diagnoses of lameness, apparently they can't afford a vet! The general standard of riding is very poor. This is not Utopia, it is real life.
Not all horses in racing are backed at two, not all are shot after their racing life is over.
Are you a vegan, because there are plenty of issues in animal welfare which are more contentious imho.
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What has being a vegan got to do with this point of view ?? There is not a sliding scale of welfare issues with posters not allowed to comment unless they start at what some may consider to be the most serious ?

The posters dietary preferences are not relevant here at all, and I don't believe food preferences were mentioned or introduced previously
 
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Thank You Alec and may I apologise to all for using the expression bunny hugging I really was not aware it was so bad, and posted it in humour , completely aware that my signiture on a computer is of bunnys hopping around.
I to have and often am a bunny hugger , I love all animals is that really so bad?
Sorry to those I offended.
 
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Smurf's Gran said:
What has being a vegan got to do with this point of view ?? There is not a sliding scale of welfare issues with posters not allowed to comment unless they start at what some may consider to be the most serious ?

The posters dietary preferences are not relevant here at all, and I don't believe food preferences were mentioned or introduced previously
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Well I think they are relevant, anyone who takes an extreme stance on a legal and well regulated industry [racing] on animal welfare issues, needs to look at the whole of the animal industry, and if they were to do so they might be more realistic. Life is not perfect, it never will be, I don't think I will go to many NH meetings because I can't take the risk of seeing any serious injuries, but in flat racing there are fewer serious injuries on the track. I love horses and hate to see them abused, but I don't see racing as an industry as abusive. I worked in racing for years, I would not have done so if I thought the horses were being treated cruelly. Yes it would be great if flat horses started racing at three, but this is not going to happen.
The welfare concerns and regulations for horses in UK racing [and their enforcement] far exceeds that for other animals.
 
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Bunneyhuggers ! Offensive! OK . So lets use the term "Stills". For those not as old as me ,after the Falklands war ,the inhabititants of the falkland isles were refered to as "Bennies"After a character on the series crossroads. The Senior officers said this was unacceptable so the troops stopped using the term Bennies and started using the term "stills" Ie they are still Bennies.
 
ycbm said:
I defend every human being's right to risk their own lives in any way that they choose.
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Tiddlypom said:
'Bunny huggers'. How patronising. Do you not realise how you instantly devalue your point of view by dropping in such a petty little put-down?
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Agree.

And a human has a choice, a horse does not.

I fail to see how caring makes any of us a bunny-hugger. What a generic and ignorant comment.
 
Generic maybe ignorant not!
I still can't see how it is offensive, but have apologised for those that really found it so.

I care to, so with that definition I am a bunny hugger , a bunny hugger that supports the national.

And I suspect we all care whether we are for or against , that's the nature of this forum, we all love at least horses.

Perhaps you don't read this forum on a computer, so you miss the humour of the comment with the irony of my signiture, bunnys hopping around!

And I find some comments on here from whiter than white posters far more patronising than bunny hugging could ever be.

Back to subject , I agree totally lovely to see baltazars king , so well and now expected to make a full recovery, although I watch with interest whether he races again.
 
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