- This topic has 36 replies, 20 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 8 months ago by
.
- Posts
I am probably going to be called a stupid sentimentalist for this post but it is something I need to get off my chest.
It is a sad fact that in this sport of ours some horses will pay the ultimate price during a race.
In most cases, although not a pleasant job, the matter is dealt with efficiently and with a certain amount of dignity, or as much dignity that can be achieved in removing a dead horse from the course.
At most courses they have a separate box for the removal of dead horses and at the overwhelming number of courses the box used for this task looks no different than the horse ambulance. To the uninitiated or casual observer they would not know if the horse was being taken away in an ambulance or knackers box.
At Hexham yesterday the old Cartmel stalwart Michaels Dream was tragically killed at the first flight in the home straight and later on Jamaica Man broke down, also in the home straight, although in this case further away from the crowds.
Instead of using a “box” to remove the horses the means of disposal was a flat bed trailer on the back of a tractor and once loaded the body was covered by throwing a tarpaulin over the top.
I know we have to accept the “ugly” side of our sport but having a horse dragged onto the back of a flat bed trailer just seemed to be totally lacking in dignity and added to what was already a distressing scene.
I won’t be calling you a "stupid sentimentalist", Paul.
I would have been as upset as you.
Colin
- Total Posts 17716
No, I don’t think what you’ve written is sentimental, more like practical common sense in the light of what happens once the Animal Aid mental terrorists get hold of these sort of PR gaffs. They are the ones who sentimentalise these things, to their own puritan ends.
Having said which, and having shared your initial wince, I did have a pause for thought about whether sanitizing accidents to horses is not at some level a dishonesty. Is not disguising the knackers box as an ambulance somehow evading truth?
We live in a world which does everything to keep up the fiction that death, whether for horses or men, would never occur unless "somebody was to blame". It is one of the most profoundly child-like (as opposed to childish) fictions in our child-centred age, and a nagging doubt makes me wonder whether the Hexham Way (like the Spanish way with the dead bulls in the bullring) is not in the last analysis more …. well, honest.
I am not sure.
Agree with the sentiments expressed.
Of course, a horse is no less dead when transported in an ambulance than on the back of a flat trailer, and I don’t like the modern tendency towards the bambification of animals, but it sets a better tone and gives the horse some sort of dignity in death.
NH racing in particular needs to make sure it doesn’t give anti-racing cranks free ammunition.
Pinza
I know what you mean and I confess I also had the same thoughts.
I don’t believe in sweeping these things under the carpet, indeed when writing reports on races I always make a point of mentioning any fatalities, as they should not be ignored.
I certainly do not agree with the PA approach to comments in running where they steadfastly refuse to mention fatalities.
It is a topic that should, and often is, debated and discussed.
However, on balance, whilst I have no problem with the subject being openly discussed – I would still prefer if it wasn’t made blatantly obvious and the poor animal was afforded some dignity.
But as I suggested I probably get too sentimental over these things – that is why I could never own a racehorse.
Right behind you on this one, Paul.
Having just taken a small share in a horse for the first time myself, I’ve been giving some thought to how I might feel were he to be lost in action.
It’s hopefully not a bridge I will have to cross, and I don’t suppose I’ll find out until it (God forbid) happens, but I’m pretty sure I would like it to end in somewhat more dignified circumstances than the one’s you have described at Hexham (where, coincidentally, our yoke is almost certain to run at some point).
I know we have to accept the “ugly” side of our sport but having a horse dragged onto the back of a flat bed trailer just seemed to be totally lacking in dignity and added to what was already a distressing scene.
Agree entirely. These magnificent animals should be afforded the utmost dignity when paying the ultimate price for providing us with our entertainment.
Is this normally the way dead horses are removed at Hexham or was it a one off for some reason?
Dignity and respect are the operative words here;I don’t think it’ ‘bambification’ to offer that to a dead horse. However, maybe the layout of the course meant that they had to use a tractor?. All the pets I have owned over the years have been treated with respect when they die; dogs, cats and my beloved pony.
.
It must be horrible for the connections to witness their horse dragged onto a trailer like that too. I know it’s "real" but people love their horses – sometimes more than people! – and you want some dignity for those you love.
Not sure about other courses but Cheltenham has the horse ambulance, towed by a 4WD, and the box towed by a tractor with a winch. You generally know whether a fall has been fatal or not by which unit heads over.
I would like to see courses publish news on horses that have fallen or pulled up during the day. I accept that there are those taking young children and so on who wouldn’t want to deal with explaining why "the horsie died" but I sometimes leave the course wondering if a particular horse was ok or not. At present the only place you can check is Animal Aid’s website..
Dignity and respect are the operative words here;I don’t think it’ ‘bambification’ to offer that to a dead horse. All the pets I have owned over the years have been treated with respect when they die; dogs, cats and my beloved pony.
.
Nor is it an excessive concern with sanitization to try and keep a dead body hidden from its owner or the public-at-large. Few would lay out a dead dog or cat in full view in the back garden prior to burial; it would remain hidden indoors until the grave was dug and brought out for burial in a swift and sober manner. Hence I’m quite content with the care racecourses (usually) take to try and not draw the public’s attention to a dead horse.However after the event I would be very much in favour of a regular TRF-style ‘memorials’ section in the racing media (print and TV) to remind us all that these noble animals do sometimes die whilst providing us with a bit of jolly-old-fun.
Anyway, didn’t see the goings-on at Hexham so don’t know if there were extenuating circumstances that necessitated it but judging from Paul’s post it seems wholly unacceptable to me. Throwing a running-bowline around the hocks of a dead bullock and winching it onto a flat-bed may be okay in the privacy of a farmyard but is not the way to deal with a dead horse in a public arena.
f
or what we received may we be truly grateful, amen
Do let us know when your horse is due to run Grasshopper
Is this normally the way dead horses are removed at Hexham or was it a one off for some reason?
It is only my fourth visit to Hexham and, fortunately, the first time I have encountered a fatality there.
Although one of the regulars in the press box did say it was the norm.
– – – – – –
I would stress (just in case I have given too bad an impression) they did, of course, use screens to hide the loading of the horses onto the flat bed – it was the use of the flat bed that disturbed me.
Every effort should have been made to afford the animal a more dignified exit from the course at all costs.
IF the owners of Michaels Dream are aware of the way the horse was removed from the course and don’t feel any emotion other than the standard devastation at losing him, then I hope they find something else to do.
Good stuff Paul. Consistent – you certainly are. Another sobering episode.
Although am a firm believer in the "once you’re dead you’re dead" attitude (both human and horses). This does seem to lack respect.
Have you thought about writing / e-mailing the course with your concerns Paul?
Value Is EverythingOn the same subject, but a different tack….
I do find it disturbing and wrong when some TV presenters appear to sweep a horse’s death under the carpet in some sort of vain hope to pretend it never happened. All it ends up looking like is that they don’t care, which I’m sure is not the sentiment they want to portray. We hav eto face the fact that these fatalities do happen and while I don’t expect presenters to bang on about a death and get over sentimental, I do expect them to acknowledge it. I’m probably over-reacting but I was cross with Luke Harvey today at Ffos Las when Manorson had to be put down after winning the race. OK it was mentioned at the time, but in his summing up afterwards, he mentioned the win, yet failed to mention that the horse died. He said the racing was exciting and dramatic yet decided to gloss over the sadder aspects of the day.
That seems to happen rather a lot with certain presenters and I don’t think it’s a good move personally.Have you thought about writing / e-mailing the course with your concerns Paul?
Could be interesting – I am already not on their Christmas card list and came close to being banned by the course when they took a strong exception to me describing their main "stand" as a glorified bicycle shed and I refused to retract it.
I will write to them and I will let you know what response I get – if any.
Could be interesting – I am already not on their Christmas card list and came close to being banned by the course when they took a strong exception to me describing their main "stand" as a glorified bicycle shed and I refused to retract it.
Well if the truth hurts it’s about time they faced up to the pain. Their spectator accomodation leaves much to be desired, particularly for a course stuck on a Northumbrian hill. The only cover is a ‘bicycle shed’ and the ‘main stand’ isn’t a stand it’s a large two storey house! It would appear that Hexham’s procedures for dealing with deceased horses could be improved and if they can’t see it themselves then they need telling. Their response to you planned letter will be interesting.
Rob
Agree entirely Paul and having seen a few shockers in my time (Alfini in the Guineas – 6ft high translucent screens and an incident at Dieppe last month) in addition to the Eight Belles pictures in the US I think that more can be done in instances like the above.
What was wrong with using the horse ambulance? Without wanting to get too graphic the body is moved onto the flatbed trailer in the same way it could be moved into the ambulance IIRC.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.