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Re: Grand National 2012 Thread
My apologies leclerc for the mistake, 3 horses not 4.
I wasn't talking about the use of the whip leclerc, I was referring to a horses natural flight instinct when within a herd - that is what makes them race. No horse will do anything it doesn't want to - trust me after 25 years and numerous qualifications if I know one thing about horses it's that lol. However the nature of racing, the herd environment, the adrenaline, the loud noise of the starters pistol or being confined to a small area and suddenly released with a loud noise, all come together to kick start the horses natural flight instinct from danger. Horses run first and ask questions later (and I've been on the receiving end of THAT too lol) and to be first and the fastest means being the first away from danger.
It is the natural instinct to flee that makes them run, instincts are so strong in a horse that you never could hope to overcome them. Thoroughbreds that are trained to race have this instinct used(I don't want to say exploited and sound like I'm building a case or anything but do you get what I mean?) and they react as nature intended. Even an old dobbin would jump forward when released from a starting gate or at the sound of a starters pistol so a highly spirited and fit thoroughbred certainly would.
Racing itself is probably quite enjoyable for a horse, all horses love to gallop and as I said no human, especially one weighing about 7 stone wet through, could force half a ton of fit muscle and bone to do anything. It's just that these thoroughbred horses that are bred for speed, with limbs as light as possible, are not designed to take the weight of their whole body landing over such huge fences like at Aintree, on spindly front legs. They jump the jumps though as they are following their instinct to survive and be with the herd.
Fewer horses die through racing, however many are injured and can never work again, never mind raced, or simply are not good enough and therefore sold through auctions or given away. Racing thoroughbreds need specialist care with regards to feeding, handling, health and leg protection, however those who have been slightly injured racing or just aren't good enough are sold very cheaply to people who have no idea of such needs, and the horses suffer, the owners and riders also suffer and sometimes are injured trying to 're-school' a racer into a riding horse.
Racing can be a wonderful sport to watch and the horses are magnificent, the jockeys brave, but I think the racing community has a responsibility to the horses it produces.
Originally posted by leclerc
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I wasn't talking about the use of the whip leclerc, I was referring to a horses natural flight instinct when within a herd - that is what makes them race. No horse will do anything it doesn't want to - trust me after 25 years and numerous qualifications if I know one thing about horses it's that lol. However the nature of racing, the herd environment, the adrenaline, the loud noise of the starters pistol or being confined to a small area and suddenly released with a loud noise, all come together to kick start the horses natural flight instinct from danger. Horses run first and ask questions later (and I've been on the receiving end of THAT too lol) and to be first and the fastest means being the first away from danger.
It is the natural instinct to flee that makes them run, instincts are so strong in a horse that you never could hope to overcome them. Thoroughbreds that are trained to race have this instinct used(I don't want to say exploited and sound like I'm building a case or anything but do you get what I mean?) and they react as nature intended. Even an old dobbin would jump forward when released from a starting gate or at the sound of a starters pistol so a highly spirited and fit thoroughbred certainly would.
Racing itself is probably quite enjoyable for a horse, all horses love to gallop and as I said no human, especially one weighing about 7 stone wet through, could force half a ton of fit muscle and bone to do anything. It's just that these thoroughbred horses that are bred for speed, with limbs as light as possible, are not designed to take the weight of their whole body landing over such huge fences like at Aintree, on spindly front legs. They jump the jumps though as they are following their instinct to survive and be with the herd.
Fewer horses die through racing, however many are injured and can never work again, never mind raced, or simply are not good enough and therefore sold through auctions or given away. Racing thoroughbreds need specialist care with regards to feeding, handling, health and leg protection, however those who have been slightly injured racing or just aren't good enough are sold very cheaply to people who have no idea of such needs, and the horses suffer, the owners and riders also suffer and sometimes are injured trying to 're-school' a racer into a riding horse.
Racing can be a wonderful sport to watch and the horses are magnificent, the jockeys brave, but I think the racing community has a responsibility to the horses it produces.
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