What pisses you off?

[Wokko]

Sad as it is, it's a horse that never would've existed without racing. A lot of them seem to genuinely enjoy it too, although I do wonder about the long distance 'staying' events like the Melbourne cup as well as the jumps racing.

[Morrigu]

[Morrigu]

[David]

I wouldn't be sorry to see this 'sport' phased out. If people want to get drunk, gamble and wear stupid clothes, I'm sure there's an alternative means of doing so without the need for animal cruelty.

[Jezza]

I can't say I'm an expert on horse racing by any means and I take little or no interest in it whatsoever apart from Melbourne Cup a little bit but from those who I do know who follow the industry eagerly they say that today's events of two horses dying in the same race after it had occurred is very unusual and very unlikely to eventuate in most circumstances and therefore many have jumped on the anti-horseracing industry bandwagon to perpetuate this idea that events like today are a common occurrence even though this is not the reality of it.

I have no opinion on it either way but I can understand the viewpoints of both sides.

[David]

I don't know. This isn't just a post hoc thing�thinking about all of the anti-horseracing sentiment on my Facebook newsfeed this morning, it seems pretty clear to me that their criticism has been vindicated.

Even if deaths remain relatively uncommon, how much risk is acceptable? And how much damage is being done to their bodies that it's so easy for a minority to just drop dead after a race?

I know it'd be a bitter pill to swallow for all the people who earn money from this industry and that there's all the tradition associated with this day, but honestly there's going to have to come a time when we just say it's too barbaric to be tolerated.

[think positive]

It's not just the 2 champions lost today. Thousands and thousands of too slow horses are chucked on the rubbish heap. A lot ruined for just normal riding by being broken in the wrong way, too hard in the mouth, and knowing only to bolt. They end up in awful state at the Knackery. Same goes for greyhound racing.

Human beings never fail to find new ways to disgust me.

Just like man resorting to drugs to break new records, (in the end will they be finishing before they start?) these horses are being "trained" for want of a better word to the nth degree. Pushed too hard, and too young. Have you seen how fragile a horses legs are?

And those tears the owners are crying-for the horse or the lost dollars?

**** horse racing, **** dog fights, and cock fights, and **** puppy farms. Man is quite frankly a piece of shit.

As for they wouldn't be born unless for racing, I used to say that about rodeo bulls, and the fact the RSPCA is so down on them they have to treat them right. What a crock. Be born just to be flogged to death, or to be frightened and tortured for the stupid entertainment of man?

Why not have kids for slave labour then? To me there is no difference.

[Jezza]

I certainly understand your sentiments David and TP but I certainly think whether the racing industry likes it or not there will be further discussion about these events that took place in the near future. I can't see today's incidents making much of a difference as people will carry on as normal for Oaks Day on Thursday now.

However I can't see the industry falling apart or stopping because of events like today. Melbourne Cup is an event that has been occurring for just over 150 years now and I can't see it stopping any time soon. For example, when Phar Lap was poisoned in 1932 that could have easily been a catalyst to stop the industry as it demonstrated corruption and cruelty of the horses involved in this industry, but as time has gone on Phar Lap (arguably the greatest horse racer ever) has been an iconic figure of Australian sport and the racing industry and he's become more famous in death rather than when he was alive so to speak.

I certainly find it uneasy to think that horses may be treated in an inhumane way by their owners or trainers but there's no evidence to suggest that this is the case either. Horse racing has been strong for 150 years in Melbourne and today's events will most likely not make an ounce of difference in people's perception of it, especially where money is concerned.

[think positive]

Your right Jezza, and just like smoking, while there is money to be made, and taxes to collect, it won't stop. Greed, power, man kinds downfall.

My favourite pony was stolen from the Knackery, don't know how he ended up there. He was 8 when I got him. He gave me so much, and I gave it right back. His sashes from one day events and novelty racing are hanging on the wall in my gym. I thank The Lord for the time I had with him, he was amazing. Almost human. Not much I wouldn't give up to have him back. His name was simply, Clyde. I also saved a failed pacer, 2 companion ponies, and 2 dumped starved ponies. But there is just too many to save...

[David]

[HAL]

Because you asked me to.

[1061]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cASALvt8sVg

Grab ya tissues this tugs at the heart strings as the maker gets a point across about this race horses journey from a Champion to pet meat.

[think positive]

A spoiler would have been nice ....

[1061]

[stui magpie]