Ronnie's Blog

I had a friend who was a prolific gambler. When I expressed my disdain for horse racing, because of its cruelty, he enthused about how well looked after race horses are. He genuinely believed that to be true, and found difficulty in seeing any cruelty.

Race courses with jumps are particularly unsuitable for a horse’s anatomy due to the following reasons:

• Laterally placed eyes which restricts forward vision and their ability to judge the distance and position of an approaching obstacle at speed.
• Heavy frames which make it difficult to lift their own weight over obstacles.
• An inflexible spine which makes it physically difficult to compensate for jumping errors.
• Long limbs which become extended when galloping, making it difficult to adjust stride as they approach jumps at high speed.

Any money-making industry that involves animals has a long-established, and acceptable image that glosses over any cruelty involved. Human enjoyment and financial gain are always prioritised over animal wellbeing wherever animals are exploited.

Some people who consider themselves to be against animal cruelty often fail to see how cruel the UK Grand National is. 67 horses have been killed in the Grand National since the year 2000.

Recently a horse called Celebre d’Allen, who was 13 years old, died after running in the Grand National.

Animal Aid Campaigns Manager, Nina Copleston-Hawkens said:

“It is absolutely heartbreaking that after being ridden in the Grand National Race until he had “no more to give”, Celebre d’Allen has died. To allow a horse of this age to be ridden to death in the most gruelling race in the country is disgraceful – and the blame for his end lies fairly and squarely with the British Horseracing Authority.”

A lot of people nowadays have become aware that circuses, zoos and places like SeaWorld are places of abject cruelty, but as long as there is a willing audience for it, animal exploitation will continue unabated.

ANIMAL AID LINK: Victims of Abuse in British Horse Racing