i dont think riding in itself is necessarily cruel, many horses enjoy a trail ride etc but i dont think it is possible to race horses without being cruel. JMO
Its the same as any animal thing - there are those out there who are in it because they genuinely love the animals and treat them well and those who don't. i dont agree with the whipping i think whips whould be banned but I mean look at Delta Blue on the straight. As soon a Pop rock got up next to him and Blue sees it he takes off. He obviously loves running and those animals are magnificent creatures at the peak of fitness and health.
i still liked it better when my dad raced and did those show things like jumps and all that as he didnt use the whips or dig his heels in and still won trophies
I disagree. You might find this hard to believe but the majority of horses actually like racing! Unless you have worked with thoroughbreds (i.e. strapper, jockey, trainer) then you have no basis for making such claims. And the whip doesn't hurt much at all, it's nothing worse than what goes on in my bedroom of a night time. All good fun....... *really* good fun!
Exactly Brendon. My horse raced and she was always treated so well. She wasn't the best of racers but she won a few maidens in her time and was always so happy. She's happier doing showjumping courses now though That's her real talent. 6 foot with ease. Whoop whoop.