I must admit, I can't get the image out of my mind of that poor horse thrashing around after falling at the first fence, unable to get up. Really upsetting. I assume it had to be destroyed; anyone know?

Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes)

Sorry, what is the point you are trying to make here Rudi? Are you saying that the horses know the risks but are happy to take those risks due to their love of competing?

"It feels much better than it ever did, much more sensitive." John Wayne Bobbit

Rudi none of the protestors are protesting about whether or not the horses do or don't enjoy racing. They protest due to the fact most years horses have to be killed. Horse racing passé is not the problem, it's the size of the jumps that cause so many deaths to such beautiful animals.

Edited by Tom-the-eagle (07 Apr 2019 7.48am)

"It feels much better than it ever did, much more sensitive." John Wayne Bobbit

They have reduced the size of the jumps considerably over the years. It is supposed to the ultimate steeplechase, keep reducing the jumps, it'll be just another race

Paua oouaarancì Irà chiyeah Ishé galé ma ba oo ah

Tom have you spent much time around horses? The fact lost on most people that haven't is how unbelievably fragile they are, especially thoroughbreds. They weigh half a ton and travel at about 40 miles an hour. They can suffer a fatal injury stepping on a flint, they can suffer a fatal injury being kicked by a mate in the field. People think horses only die in horrible circumstances on racecourses. The reality is, and people who've spent time with horses know this, they die in unpleasant circumstances in fields, in stables in trailers etc etc etc but there's no camera on them then.

They are so well cared for. It's a 2 way relationship. Domestication means the horse has lost its freedom but in exchange they are guaranteed quality care, feed, warmth, shelter and veterinary care. A horse who is turned out in a field may be in agony all day after a bad injury until their owner comes home from work and finds it. Racehorses are very carefully monitored and are followed around by a vet on the track. If an injury is found that they won't recover from it's immediately relieved from its suffering. It is tragic and a racing yard is a depressing place to be the day after one is lost at the races but it is unavoidable while not being common. The BHA do everything they can to reduce the risks but they can't get rid of all risks.

Reducing the size of the fences has had little impact on the fatality rate as the horses tend to go faster

He’s been castrated like the majority of jumpers Casual. There’s a common misconception that horses are put down as owners don’t want to fix them. This is very rarely the case but sadly because for SOME (not all!!) injuries there is simply no fix. You cannot manage a paralysed horse weighing half a ton with a spinal injury without its muscles breaking down and it suffering kidney failure or developing fatal pneumonia.