That's a very fair response (and I wasn't suggesting you commented on the laminate thing at all btw, just using it as an example to explain my interpretation of your post).

In terms of the one day a year thing, I can see how it is seen like that but don't assume that just because you only hear from the antis at this time of year we all don't care about other shows, it's just that this is arguably one of the biggest races of the year and in the past, one of the most dangerous.

A classic case of reading into something that is nto here.

I took from Bens post , if you are going to shout about one aspect of equine sport as " vile" you should perhaps include ALL aspects of equine disciplines.

After all my guess is your dislikes of the sport is the injury to the animals....

Being the operative words

Correct. I later explained my interpretation of her post too. Did you not see that?

Yes, I was saying that to try and be fair. It is better, but it's still dangerous and horses still die.

After I had replied.


The point being Pidge, if the argument is "horses die then it should include EVERYTHING we do with horses,,,

As horse fatalities are far higher throughout other aspects of equine sport, then racing.

Thats a typical reply from somebody who has clearly NOT read the thread at all!!

I suppose it all depends on where you draw the line on what is acceptable. Personally I think that if there are reasonable measures put in place to prevent any suffering for the animals, then great, carry on. But as it is they expect an average of three horses to die each year, with five dying in 2009 and 4 dying in 2010. That says to me that the level of risk is unacceptably high, higher than other events. Of course, if (on average) six horses in every thousand were to die out hacking or whatever then I would be against that too, but the fact is that they don't because it is not as dangerous. There is a big difference between a freak accident that could happen to any horse, and an event dangerous enough that horses dying is relatively commonplace. The former can only be prevented by sheer luck or wrapping the animal in cotton wool for it's whole life; the latter can be prevented pretty easily, but people chose not to. I don't understand why anyone would support those odds against the horses, but I can respect your choice.

And I do eat meat, but not meat from an animal that is either killed by or euthanised after a major injury, sustained in an event purely for human entertainment- there's a big difference, in my mind.

Not long to go folks........ Cant wait.

I have got the chocolate in...............

Shame we do not see the Pardubice, now THERE is a race!