Thankyou for replying
I am trying to understand your position here but Im struggling

You think its an OK risk for the horse because that is the whole point of its life? So (not that I agree with them) what about the dogs doing agility at crufts who were bred as sports dogs, not pets? It does happen, kennels of agility dogs who are rehomed once they are no use, thankfully it is not a majority but it exists - so is that better?

and you would like agility if it was more popular? That seems a little odd to me - if something is cruel in your eyes isnt it cruel even if loads of people like it?

and dogs slip far more on wet grass, playing agility or in real life - infact the other day I had to jump over my dogs as they slid past me in a tangle of high speed wrestling
But why is a horse pretty much landing on its head and dying less of a big deal than a couple of dogs who slipped without hurting themselves?

i just explained which posts and why

well done on your points.

we aint so unpopular after all

Pidge, get your facts straight before you post. Buddy dogs is a new initiative that is only just being rolled out and IMO
has many flaws. It isn't suitable for all failed dogs.

Many dogs fail or retire on health grounds
or with behavioural issues. Others are retired. The homes are checked but very little follow up is done.

sums it up in a nutshell to me.

too true

many thanks

Such a nasty tone and completely un-warranted.

Yes, I know about the flaws. I didn't know it was such a new thing. My understanding was that their policies were to re-home whenever a dog does not make the grade, which can and does happen. Behaviour issues are down to the breeding in the first instance but sometimes cannot be helped.

The welfare of the animal is not even remotely comparable to risking it's life at the hands of sport. Which is the main point I was trying to make.

Perhaps my tone Pidge is reflective of your own.
Why are
The behavioural issues to do with breeding? Do you have any stats or evidence for that as I would love to read it if you do? I suspect Guide Dogs would love to see it too.
I could go on but I won't.

No. I was on about the owners/people who race/use/abuse them.

That doesn't mean those that bet on them should have a clear conscience, though.

Yes, saving someone's life _is_ noble. And yes it sounds like you are clutching at straws - it's absurd that you are even comparing the two, tbh

I thought you were a stalwart of the animal world - shame I was wrong

Oh, that old gem again

My dog needs to go out. He needs to get exercise and he needs to get stimulation. A horse doesnt need to race so IMO your point is irrelevant.

Also, I dont get your point about my dog being a pet and not bred and trained to race, whats the relevance? That the risk is ok for racehorses coz thats what they are bred for??...

Is the whole 'life always has risks' your only answer to why it is worth risking a horses life?

I dont get your point here either, again why does it matter if they are a pet?

I dont class a horse as a pet animal, I dont see the relevance. If I decided to take my horse and race it, Id accept the risks associated with it. Like I do with working the Terriers, in essence its what they were bred for.

Guide and assistance dogs dont save lives Azz, I cant imagine why you would think that? They allow people more freedom and allow other people more time for themselves, nothing more. Some alert dogs may save lives I grant you, but even then they are an "extra" such people are rarely alone anyway.

Whichever way you look at it, they were bred to do a job, serve a purpose for humans, and many, will be got rid of, rehomed or whatever once their usefulness is over.

I dont think its a shame, I think you have every right to your opinion, Im cool with that.