Quote:
Originally Posted by GGG
So how do you make a choice for the animal. What basis do you use? We put kids in hockey, football, and other sports initially by convincing them to do it. Like the horse who gleefully gets his saddle on before the race they do not understand the risk. But kids have heart failures, back injuries, concussions and we still do it because its fun? Because the kids say they like it?
The act of chuck wagon racing isnt inherently cruel. Its just higher risk than being in a field. So if a driver right behind the horse is taking the same risks as the horse can we really say chucks are too dangerous.
50 horses have died and two people. Although that is a little skewed because it doesnt count broken limbs for humans like it does for horses as we dont put down humans when they break their arm.
Also per the herald 17 other horses have died at stamped due to ilness and things like penning incidents, and rodeo events.
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I think he understood that. He was responding to a post that I had not made my point clear.
I do agree that it is not purposefully cruel. With the higher risk to the animal, the risk you also raise on yourself. People have tried to remain a point "If the horse goes down they have a risk of the other horses and wagon falling on them" I do agree but so does the rider. The way the wagons at hitched up on them is lamans terms " If they go Then I am going down to." To look at it with an optimistic point of view is The only reason these horses are in "harms way" is there is some one willing to take the same risk as the horse. Which I believe is evidence how much of a connection between the rider and how well they treat their team members. If they are going to put a companion in harms way they are also going to take a risk. After all the could just let them race like dogs but they don't.
Edit: I would also like to add that some horses are more obedient. IMO they do have some what of a choice When they want to race. If A horse doesn't want to be hooked up on a particular day you can't make it nor, If you do want to trust it. If you manage to get a horse who fights you on it hook up, your going to have a hard time maintaining any control. You don't have brakes and purely rely on what that horse is thinking. Putting a horse on a team when it wants to be a lone wolf is dangouse and Irresponsible. So In short a horse does have a somewhat of a choice IF they have compassionate and smart owners . which is why you travel with extra horses for substitutes or an extra team.
Looking into it more it seems Calgary in specific on thinking it is Cruel to race is the main example used.