Do you think that steeplechasing is cruel to the racehorses?

Answer 1

It would be cruel to NOT let them do that. Thats what they WANT to do. Thats what they LIVE for. And everyone of them WANTS to be the BEST.
I bought a Thouroghbred who retired and there was no way I could keep that horse from wanting to run and run. This is instinct to them.

Answer 2

No , Racehorses are not used for steeple chasing . A different breed is ridden . Racehorses are not trained as jumpers. Usually warm bloods are used in jumping. Although I suppose they can be used but not where I am at. The worst part of your question is that it is cruel to race horses like they do, because a horse should not even be ridden until they are 3-4 years of age and then trained gently and not made to be run fast and hard as 2 year olds when they start the training.This is why they get shattered legs and are sold to the Amish if they don't win and there is a sure horrible life. Money causes people to do stupid things and starting a horse as a yearling to race like they do is just one of the many . Watch how they beat those horses with the crop in the final stretch and watch the horses mouth as they hold the reins so tight that the horses mouth is open from the hard pressure to stop them. Yes, I would say this is cruel as I have trained horses and you never have a heavy hand on a bit. Period !

Answer 3

American Steeplechase racing is actually much easier on horses than flat racing. Because the races are so long (2-4 miles) the pace is very slow. The jumps are not particularly high and they are all soft on top (made to look like big bushes) so that a horse who touches the fence will just pass right through it. This all makes for a very easy trip around the track for steeplechasers. In America there are rarely any fatal breakdowns in steeplechasing.

As was mentioned earlier, steeplechase racers are almost exclusively retrained flat runners. To race, a horse must be a registered thoroughbred. Many runners who did not do well early in their careers do get a second career as a steeplechaser. Steeplechasing is not the same as cross-country or show jumping. In those sports there are no breed restrictions, although a large number of competitors are thoroughbreds, many who started their careers on the racetrack.

As to some of the other points addressed in this thread....

There is nothing inherently evil or cruel in animal sports. The vast majority of racing thoroughbreds, standardbreds and greyhounds are treated extremely well - better than the majority of the pet population. While they are in competition they recieve high quality foods and dietary supplements, top of the line vet care and round the clock supervision and attention. Allowing animals to race under controlled circumstances on man-made racetracks is much safer than allowing the same animals to run free in a paddock with hills, holes, rocks, etc. that can trip them up. And animals bred for performance come from healthier genetic stock than animals bred indescriminately for appearance (color, size, etc.).

In retirement, racing animals stand a better than average chance of finding a permanent home. The majority of horses sold into slaughter in the US are not thoroughbreds. The highest estimates I have seen are approximately 15% of the horses sold for slaughter in the US are thoroughbreds. Even still, this number is considered too high to people who work with these wonderful animals and there are many organizations dedicated to finding permanent homes for retired racers. Greyhound adoption has been popular for years. Current estimates are that 90% of all retired racing greyhounds are placed in adopted homes as pets. Another 5-7% are retired as breeding prospects. Again, members of the greyhound racing community are working tirelessly to find a home for every retired runner, with insiders predicting that 100% retirement numbers will be reached within the next 3-5 years.

Answer 4

No cause alot of horses who r not good enough 2 make it on the flat get a 2nd lease of life over the jumps. If there were no jumps races these horses would go to the Knackery 2 be used in glue.

Answer 5

race horses love jumping.all horses do in fact.the english grand national used to be the severest horse race in racing history.but over the last few years the fences have been modified.and the mortality rate has decreased a huge amount as a result.i would reckon its more dangerous to hunt horses these days as the fences they jump doing that are not regulated,and just ordinary countryside obstickles.

Answer 6

all racing be it horse or greyhound is cruel horses normaly end up being shot when they fall and injure themselves and greyhounds usually end up being put to sleep when their racing days are over eitherway their lives are short and in a lot of cases the dogs are abandoned all in the name of sport and peoples greed for money

Answer 7

No cuz the horses are bred to do that and in there heart thats what they want to do, what is cruel is not letting them do it and just keeping locked up.

Answer 8

Yes

Answer 9

sort of but its pretty much the same as galloping a horse over the jump and the risks are the same
my throughbred was great at galloping over jumps she was a good jumper and she used to race too but her knees would always swell so now we dont take her over high jumps any more

Answer 10

yes because theyre is a higher risk of injury to the horses than in the traditional horse race