Taking care of racehorses

Madam, – In the wake of the sham debate on stag hunting, a closer look shows how many people, including the Greens, ignore the…

Madam, – In the wake of the sham debate on stag hunting, a closer look shows how many people, including the Greens, ignore the real issue of animal suffering by ignoring the other big animal in the room.

If the Green Party really had a serious commitment to reducing suffering and fatalities then why did it not challenge the horrific number of racehorses that face euthanasia every year as a result of falls at fences? Is it because its not politically correct to question that which isn’t supposed to be a “blood sport” yet in fact results in far more animal fatalities than stag hunting ever did.

Is it because “bloodstock” is such big business? Does the public just accept that the odd horse here and there must face euthanasia because they couldn’t clear a fence while providing fun for bookies and punters? “Bloodstock” or “Bloody stock” regardless, your pages are full of the race meetings, reviews, comments etc. Perhaps you could also publish the statistics on the number of horses killed at race meetings each week to bring some balance to the issue?

What’s the difference in people in funny colours on horseback chasing a stag, and people in funny colours on horseback chasing other horses? The answer is more horses get killed than stags – and it happens every day. – Yours, etc,

PAUL KELLY,

Riverside,

Rochestown,

Cork.