2023 Grand National

[Slipper One]

7 Horses die for every 1 on flat.

Are those just 'on racecourse' fatalities, or race horses overall.

When you watched the race today, how many horses refused to start?

This year how many refused to jump a fence?

Don't tell me that horses are made to jump a fence, because if they don't want to, they won't. That's why the reference 'R' can be against their form figures.

Some horses actually improve their form jumping the National fences.

I suppose you and Stuuuuuu will only think what you want to think and base your argument on emotion and not fact or the bigger picture.


As you seem to see yourself qualified on horses and that they are forced to jump, take a look at the picture.

Does this horse look as though he is,

a. Enjoying himself.
b. Not enjoying himself.
c. Being reluctantly coerced into doing something he doesn't want to do.

He's an ex flat horse, now show jumping and will at some point be eventing. The owners previous horse also retired from racing and went show jumping and dressage.

Don't tell me that horses don't enjoy jumping.

 

[Worsleyweb]

Are those just 'on racecourse' fatalities, or race horses overall.

When you watched the race today, how many horses refused to start?

This year how many refused to jump a fence?

Don't tell me that horses are made to jump a fence, because if they don't want to, they won't. That's why the reference 'R' can be against their form figures.

Some horses actually improve their form jumping the National fences.

I suppose you and Stuuuuuu will only think what you want to think and base your argument on emotion and not fact or the bigger picture.


As you seem to see yourself qualified on horses and that they are forced to jump, take a look at the picture.

Does this horse look as though he is,

a. Enjoying himself.
b. Not enjoying himself.
c. Being reluctantly coerced into doing something he doesn't want to do.

He's an ex flat horse, now show jumping and will at some point be eventing. The owners previous horse also retired from racing and went show jumping and dressage.

Don't tell me that horses don't enjoy jumping.

They might enjoy it but they may die doing so. Why not make the fences a bit easier??!

 

[Slipper One]

Sad to see another horse die. Mixed feelings on this. May not have a bet for the first time in years next year.

I can see your point of view Worsleyweb and although I love jumps racing, any fatalities are always a downer for me.

I'd go back to the question I put earlier, 10 years living a pretty good life, compared to not being born at all.

Although I like jumps racing, I'm actually not that enamored with the National. If they never held it again, I wouldn't shed a tear, but it's not a cruel event.

 

[Gundoggin]

They might enjoy it but they may die doing so. Why not make the fences a bit easier??!

The National fences were made a lot easier over a decade ago . Since then only 5 horses from over 400 runners have lost their lives which includes today,s fatality. Meanwhile 118 arrests for criminal damage and public nuisance today .Perspective is everything !

 

[1.618034]

So who won?

 

[Tommy_Catons_Perm]

So who won?

Who cares?

Edit. I guess that was your point.

 

[Slipper One]

They might enjoy it but they may die doing so. Why not make the fences a bit easier??!

It's not the fences per se, steeplechase 'regulation' fences are not as big, with hurdles being smaller still and the flat has no fences at all, yet none are immune to fatalities.

An awful lot has been done in racing, not just the Grand National, to make it safer by relocating fences, making them softer and lower and in the case of Bechers Brook, building up the landing side so it's not so much of a drop. Recently the colour of the wood frame has been changed from orange to white because they believe the horses will see them better, but that's open to debate. Whether it does or not I don't know, but at least it's an effort and if it does make a difference, then great.

 

[madloaf]

Rich people sport where animals are trained to within an inch of their lives and then some of them die in horrible pain. What's not to love?

 

[Franny 1234]

Our family had 8 different EW bets today our best finish was 10th.
Thank god for Jonny Stones scoring first. £200+ profit on the day

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

I can see your point of view Worsleyweb and although I love jumps racing, any fatalities are always a downer for me.

I'd go back to the question I put earlier, 10 years living a pretty good life, compared to not being born at all.

Although I like jumps racing, I'm actually not that enamored with the National. If they never held it again, I wouldn't shed a tear, but it's not a cruel event.

It was a hard watch today that with the horse clearly in trouble after the first and two others possibly so too and then two others crashing through barriers. It’s a sporting spectacle but does come at a cost . I don’t think this is the last we will hear of this group. Turned up in fairly big numbers today and 118 arrests.