I want an honest answer from the horse racing fans...?

II will give you an honest answer from the point of view of someone who is both a racing fan and an animal rights advocate with a degree in Philosphy and Ethics. I strongely believe that while it is ethical for people to earn a living from horses, there is a limit to what we can subject an animal to for the sake of our entertainment and profit. The argument that horses naturally love to race is indeed a valid one. What is unethical is when horses are forced beyond their natural abilities by the use of steroids an other drugs and whips or are made to race on hard dirt surfaces. This does NOT have to be part of the sport. In Europe and the rest of the world all drugs are strictly banned and there are severe restrictions to the use of the whip. In addition, almost all racing there is on the natural grass surface that horses evolved to run on.

The breeding industry has it's share of the blame by heavily breeding to unsound horses who have won a few big races before breaking down. The gens for unsoundness are then passed down to future generations.

There is hope here with the advent of synthetic surfaces, which are designed to most resemble natural grass and they have already saved hundreds of lives on the tracks where they have been installed. Public outcry has resulted inlimitations on steroid use, as well.

Banning racing altogether is neither practical nor humane since it would cause widespread abandonment and death of the thousands of racehorses.

In any case I am firmly against steeplechases since these kill more horses than all the flat races and horses are NOT natural jumpers. The Grand National kills about a horse every year it’s run. Have you noticed that when a horse loses their rider in a flat race they will continue to race the field? When they lose their rider in a steeplechase they run with the filed until the next hurdle and then avoid it. Smart animals.

The European experience has shown that racing can be carried out humanely and the only practical and humane thing to do here is to be an activist for humane racing here like calling for a ban on all drugs and whips. I love the sport because I love to see the beauty and wonder of these noble athletes doing what they love and can do better than anyone else. Hope this answer helps you make your own decision.

Txgirl - this is a mistake I cannot let go without correction.

Do you really think that a 100 pound jockey has any kind of control over a 1100 pound horse? Do you think a thwap of the whip would be enough to keep a huge raging animal in line? The jockeys guide the horses but they don't (and can't) make them race. Horses that need to be gelded are a good example of this: They don't take anything from the jockeys and buck them right off. The horses race by their own will, letting the jockeys steer them.

Also - horse owners try to keep their horses in the best condition possible. Yes, it's because of money, but not on track - horses are far more valuable if they go to stud. Even not so great stud horses are preserved for this reason (great horses have come from claimers - it happens more than you would think).

Wait, since when do cats love doing something that is 100% fatal to them? I've never seen one like that. Bad comparison.

Without horse racing, the thoroughbred breed could be extinct. Its what they are built for, and because of it, it has kept them alive.

And really, its not necesarily cruelty. They are treated FAR better then you and me, and have a very healthy life. When a racehorse dies, it is a complete accident, and people do all they can to save them.

In horse racing, you aren't scaring the horse into running. If the horse doesn't WANT to run, it wouldn't. It runs with its own free will, the whip is a way of encouragement.

Yes, their is a risk in racing. But there is a risk in doing a simple trail ride. I don't really see anything wrong with the sport. Deaths like Eight Belles ARE terrible, but it is just a part of horse racing- an accident that only SOMETIMES happens. The same thing that happened to Eight Belles could happen to someone merely galloping through a field.

Since I have state my reasons, I would like to hear your reasons for NOT liking horse racing. As long as you respect my opinion, i will respect yours.

EDIT- the horse whip doesn't hurt the horse, it just encourages them. You could easily take the whip and whip your leg as hard as you do your horse. I have done it before. They DO feel it, but it doesn't hurt.

Well, first I don't think you have any business demanding an "honest answer" from horse racing fans but I'll answer your question anyway.

I love horse racing because watching a great racehorse at work is breathtaking. I prefer it to human sports because of all the problems with human athletes. Think about OJ Simpson and all the other criminals, liars, wife beaters, and arrogant jerks that our children see as heroes because of their sports prowess. I've never seen a racehorse get arrested or brag about his/her great skill.

There are certainly problems in the racing industry but I feel no moral or ethical dilemma about loving the sport because I do what I can personally to make it better. I donate supplies every month to a racehorse adoption program. I donate money to the Barbaro Memorial Fund. We adopted a retired racehorse ourselves and he lived to the ripe old age of 32.

I watched my first horse race on the first Saturday in May, 1973 - Secretariat's win in the Kentucky Derby. He was a magnificent animal and I've loved horse racing ever since that day.

Watch Secretariat run in any of the Triple Crown races on youtube and you will see a horse that loved to race. Not just run, but race against other horses.

Please tell us why you think you're so morally and ethically superior when you've spent the better part of a day sitting in judgment of people who you know virtually nothing about, all because they enjoy horse racing.

Yes, bad things did happen to Ferdinand. I don't think that any of us that love horse racing are saying that abuse and tragic things don't happen. Of course they do, tragic things happen in every aspect of life. So, I think it's abuse and cruel to keep horses as pets. They should be out roaming free. How do you know they like to live in a stall and get turned out for the day? Did they tell you that. I think they should be free, out there dieing a long slow death from starvation. That's what would happen. WHATEVER!!! By the way for the idiots out there I am being sarcastic. So lets save the wild horse from the cruel and abusive deaths they face everyday!!!

Have you ever been around horses?

Have you ever looked out to your pasture and watched your horses running around just for the hell of it? If a horse doesn't want to run, it won't. These horses are doing what they are bred for, most of them love it. If a thoroughbreds heart isn't in the race, they won't run.

There are pro's and con's in all sports involving animals. Unfortunately a tragic accident occured. It's horrible, but nothing you or I did could have prevented it.

Horse racing is the sport of Kings. Those animals eat better and get treated better than you or I. Go to a horse race sometime, there is nothing more beautiful on earth than one of those great athletes in full gallop. Injuries happen in sport, there was nothing to be done, Eight Belles would have never walked again and been in great pain the whole time.

Yeah but the only reason they get treated better than what we might be treated is because if they win they make their owners big bucks. I dont like horse racing because its said to shorten the life span of the horse, theres always that possiblity of what happened to eight belles and barbaro, they get pains just like a track runner. Its extremely dangerous, and what for? money? No horse should be put through any of that for money. Although they MIGHT enjoy racing, for the adrenalin rush or whatever, but cant they get the same thing racing their barn mates in the pasture?

Racing isn't about "run or be hit"! I don't know if those of you who think that have been around horses, but, even a whip won't get them to do something that they won't.

Where does your argument leave you when I tell you that there are racehorses whose jockeys ride without even carrying a whip?