I would agree that many horses will die naturally in fields, but, surely, when deaths are caused purely and simply to satisfy the needs of the highly commercial gambling industry, then something is wrong ......... very, very wrong!

I`m sorry - that simply isn`t true.

So you would not object to your dogs being "cracked round the head" with one.

I would have thought that "most of their working days" should be spent working, not hitting each other with whips...

Regarding whips, did anyone else notice the blood mark on the off side (whip side) hind quarters of the winner as he was led in?

It was quickly rinsed off but to me it looked to be where the end of the crop might reach, with the length of the jockey's arm.

I've just been looking at he link, "Horse Death Watch"
Please can someone explain the expression "Lost action"

the definition copied from equibase states:
Lost Action
A horse that does not have a smooth stride. The reasons for a horse to lose action are varied, but can include that he disliked the track, has to steady for some reason or another, or was rank.

Thanks Angie

Oh galty you spoiled it!!

Racing whips are hollow.
It is a hollow fibreglass tube covered in padding. I am happy to give the names of some suppliers if you would like to see one for yourself.

I dont have a problem with the idea of racing
I worked at eventing and stuff when I was a kid and I saw first hand how much the horses LOVE it

BUT
the argument for here seems to be the horses are 'doing what they were bred for'

But
with such a high chance of the animal loosing their life in that one race shouldnt we possibly be looking at the breeding for horses that dont have fatal injuries so easilly?
Or of course look at the courses

But then again why do so few die at something like badmington which as far as I can see has very challanging jumps
is it the compatition eliment of because we breed the horses for eventing to be more fit for function than the grand national horses?