Aintree - The Killing Fields or They Shoot Horses Don't They
Five horses were killed at the Grand National meeting in 2009 and in the last 10 years, 30 horses have been killed at Aintree
Since March 2007 over 500 horses have died on British race courses.
That extremely radical organisation, the RSPCA have made two suggestions to the organisers for this years race
(1) To stop jockeys "overusing" whip
(2) For jockeys to pull up "tired" horses.
At time of posting their requests have fallen on deaf ears and the race will continue tomorrow as normal.
Now forgive me as I have never been a jockey, and my experience of riding is limited to a few goes down country lanes on a friends horse, but why do jockeys need to use whips in the first place?.
Surely if a horse is enjoying running in the national, or any other horse race for that matter, they would not need to be viciously whipped as we see time and time again on TV.
As for riding a horse that can not complete course, that is animal cruelty and organisers should face charges for it. The jockeys volunteer/get picked for race, the horse does not and is forced to undertake a long and hazardous race.
Why can't the race be shorter and the fences lower? you only have to look at the fences after the horses have jumped them to see that the horses can not clear them.