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| A horse falls and dies at Aintree |
20 horses have died in the Grand National race since the year 2000 and a total 34 horses have been killed at this three-day event during the same period. Some horses dying a while after, but as a direct result of the race.
The Hidden Truth
If you watch the 'National' on television the cameras quickly turn away when a horse falls, in case our sensibilities are offended. You don't usually get to see the screen that is erected to hide the bitter truth of the death of a horse.
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| Screens are erected around a dead horse at Aintree |
All of this resulted in "Changes to the Grand National to enhance safety" being declared by Aintree on 15/08/2011.
Cynical Changes...
Becher's Brook: the drop in height of the ground from take off to landing will be reduced by 4 inches, but still leaving a drop of 11 inches.
Fence 17: the drop will be reduced by a small amount.
Fence 4: the height will be reduced by 2 inches which still leaves it at 4 foot 10 inches.
The height of toe boards on all National fences will be increased to 14 inches: The boards are to assist horses in determining the base of the fence.
These changes are a cynical move to address the bad publicity and shock of the general public. As was stated on BBC TV’s North West Tonight “Aintree says”… “the changes will not sanitise the race”. What do the organisers mean by this?
This is said to have been done in consultation with the RSPCA and the World Horse Welfare. Can you believe this?
The changes are all to do with money, to make it seem that all is well for the horses now. They are frightened that attendance could fall, and with this a loss in revenue, if the mood of shock persists.
In 1989 the fences were “tweaked” with RSPCA approval. At the time it was argued that the small changes that were made would make the race safer. In fact, it made it faster and just as dangerous and the horses have continued to die. Will it be any different this time?
...More Cynical Changes
After the debacle of the Grand National this year, with the death of two horses and the racing ban of the winning jockey of five days racing for over-whipping Bellabriggs, the BHA have decided to do something about the whipping of horses.
Hidden Facts
In the UK around 400 horses are killed in the racing industry annually. Because the intention is not to kill horses and that this is only a ‘side effect’ of racing doesn't make it acceptable. As a ‘side effect' of bullfighting some 200 horses die annually in the bullrings of Spain. This causes horror in the minds of right thinking people and yet we choose to ignore the death of the racehorses.
If only a fraction of the number of jockeys were killed as that of the number of horses the ‘National’ - and with it all national hunt race meetings - would be stopped immediately.
The general public naively believe that all injured horses are cared for. When horses are injured some are killed because they are not capable of living a reasonable life, but many are killed because their racing life is over and they have no further value. It is better business to collect the insurance. Horse racing is a business and horses are the collateral.
If the owners and trainers were motivated by feelings of humanity instead of profit their horses wouldn't go near a racetrack. It would be asking the impossible for that to happen, but it just seems so very hypocritical when they say that the most important thing is that their horses come back safe and sound.
If only people would think about the consequences for the horses and the cruelty involved, perhaps they would think twice before having their annual "flutter" on the National. We should think very seriously before we help to pass a death sentence on these horses for our gain.
Most people regard horse racing as a harmless sport in which the animals are willing participants who thoroughly enjoy themselves. The truth is that, behind the scenes, lays a story of immense suffering.
Sad Facts
Approximately 18,000 foals are born into the closely-related British and Irish racing industries each year. Yet only around 40% go on to become racers. Those horses that do not make the grade may be slaughtered for meat or repeatedly change hands in a downward spiral of neglect. Many are exported alive to the slaughterhouses of Europe.
The survivors are denied their freedom and pushed to their limits to serve the financial interests of trainers, owners and bookies. Because they are bred for speed, not strength, many sustain limb and other injuries and are shot.
It is also common for horses to develop serious racing-related illnesses such as bleeding lungs and gastric ulcers. Whilst performing, they are whipped in an attempt to spur them on, which is painful and makes them fearful and distracted. In general, the more a horse is whipped, the less likely they are to win the race.
Investigations have revealed other horrors behind the scenes. The top breeding stallions are over-worked and kept isolated for years from other horses. Breeding females are subjected to an endless cycle of pregnancy that often involves the use of drugs and other artificial interventions.
Arguments for Horse Racing given by the Racing Fraternity
Statement 1:
The horses love it. The proof is that they carry on running and jumping when their rider is unseated.
Answer:
Horses are herd and prey animals who instinctively run as they feel safer in the herd. When there are runoffs they go around the fences and gradually stop. It is very rare for a horse to jump a fence to get out of a field in which it is grazed and this is with fences a lot lower than the ‘National’ fences. Also they are brain washed in training into running and jumping.
Statement 2:
If there was no racing there would be no racehorses.
Answer:
This is an argument that is used every time animal abuse is involved. The breeders of bulls for bullfighting say this. Do we believe them? Fewer horses would be bred, but then fewer horses would have to die.
Statement 3:
The horses have a wonderful life.
Answer:
This in itself is debatable (see Sad Facts). Unfortunately this ‘good life’ stops when the horses don’t pay their way, then the hell for them begins.
Conclusions
There is only one solution for stopping the cruelty of the Grand National and that is to end this race and find something else to entertain the crowds.
People outside of the UK cannot believe that this is going on in this country.
What every horse lover could do
Stop supporting the racing industry by betting on or going to race meetings, especially the likes of Cheltenham and the Grand National.
Talk to your friends and family about the truth behind racing. Spread the word.
Demonstration
There is a demonstration every year against the Grand National on Grand National day, outside the main entrance of the Aintree racecourse. Join us!
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