“just banned it it is so bad to the horses not like it cruel dont care wat any one say”

“it is cruel it is so sad the way they hit the horse and 2 die is so sad it should be banned for good i dont care wat u say it is NOT RIGHT BUT AND SAD BANNED IT”

“I guess the cruelty loving horsey brigade in here also support hare coursing, fox hunting, badger baiting, stag hunting, dog fighting (oooooh hang on thats chavs innit), cockerel fighting and would no doubt have campaigned vigorously against banning bear baiting

Maybe they should be made to run around a track and whipped frequently to make them run faster - afterall humans run naturally in the wild”

“Sorry Rosie, I have to disagree.
In what way do horses not survive in the wild? Where do you think they came from in the first place? Thoroughbreds are descendants of the Arabian which once roamed free in huge numbers although now less so. In the UK we have wild ponies in Kent. Again, they were once far more widespread than they currently are. The point is our domesticated animals were not always that way. And I also don't know how you can assume I could not survive in "the wild"? Given that you nothing about me or my survival abilities I would suggest that your point of view is flawed. Opinions are fine provided they are based on something tangible.
And in what way does comparing it to other sports increase insensivity when the point is that accidents, injuries and even deaths can happen in any sport? It doesn't!”

“When I first heard about the deaths, I immediately thought the race should be banned.
Then I thought about other sports that involve animals.
Fishing is different, most fish are returned or eaten, I have never heard of a fish being killed on the bankside and disposed of. Fishermen love fish, so wouldn't want them dead, unless on a plate. Deep sea fishing is a ludicrous comparison. The dead fish that are thrown back are not the fishermen's fault, but that of the authorities that govern quotas, and net sizes.
I see horse racing a bit like horse jumping, three day eventing, or even dog racing. Basically, you can't make an animal do something it doesn't want to. Look at showjumpers that refuse a fence, they do that in three day and horse racing also.
My only concern is the length of the race, and some of the fence heights.
So I think some tinkering or tweaking of the race itself is all that's required.
Don't forget, these horses wouldn't even be on the planet if it wasn't for horseracing, so to even say that they could not survive in the wild is absolutely ludicrous - neither could the person posting that comment.
I do however think it's insensitive for the pro lobby to take such an uncaring stance, and even to offer a small change in conditions would show a degree of compassion, and to compare the death of an animal against other sports like motor racing only go to increase that degree of insensitivity.”

“Sorry, I meant to direct that comment AT slow runner, still arrive and not FROM him/ her!”

“I hate to point out the truth in the scenario that you describe but unfortunately many leg fractures simply can't be treated in the horse. A horse is not able to support its half tonne body weight on three legs and "limping" is not an option as it is in humans. It is also next to impossible to expect a horse to stand all but immobile for 6 - 8 weeks whilst a fracture heals because their digestive system simply won't support inactivity in that way. They need to constantly pass digesta through their system to prevent EGUS, colic and laminitis and immobility results in the digestive muscles failing to work properly. Horses are not destroyed because of the expense but to avoid unnecessary pain, suffering and cruelty that would be involved in trying to mend something that simply won't in a manner that is manageable for the animal. Humans do die in sporting incidents and it is generally hailed to be very sad, but not cruel.
I would consider myself to be an animal lover - this does not mean a break with practicality. I eat meat provided I know it has been well cared for whilst living and I enjoy horse racing. I have a dog and two cats as pets - they are not in their natural environment and there are some animal rights perspectives that would therefore hold this to be cruel.
There are very strict regulations on whipping these days, enforced by the BHRA and the whips also must conform to standards which include shock absorbing capabilities. I would challenge anyone to make a large animal like a horse run if it didn't want to. Whatever you may say, the sport is based on a natural instinct that exhists because horses in the wild gallop for several miles at a time, over streams, rocks, hedges etc. Consider the situation if one of them falls and breaks a leg? They die a slow and painful death. Should we go and round them all up so that can't happen?
It is indeed a sad day when any competative horse dies or is injured - and that applies to polo ponies, flat racing and carriage competitions. It does not mean that it is cruel. The participants enjoy what they do, are provided with excellent care and comfort at yard and when travelling and everything is done to ensure that courses are as safe as possible on any given day. You will find that the RSPCA consults on safety and welfare issues and I am quite sure that they ask for any modifications they feel would be beneficial to the welfare of the horse.
And to Horse Racing is Cruel, I believe this is a public forum and if people have perspectives on other animal welfare related topics I believe they have the right to express them. They are not so far removed from the "cruelty" aspect of this article and are therefore valid opinions. As are your own but please do not attempt to deny others theirs.”

“or more importantly as 'cruel'”

“I am not saying I support it, but what I am saying, is that you can't deflect from the fact that it is just as curel as fishing and other horrific practices as Ted from cheltenham (specifically) did.”

“on the plus side, everyone like glue.”