Jumps Racing
JUMPS RACING
"When a man wantonly destroys one of the works of man we call him a vandal.
When he destroys one of the works of god we call him a sportsman."
~Joseph Wood Krutch
Most equine welfare/rescue organisations include somewhere in their mission statement the claim that along with their other activities, they act as 'ADVOCATES' for equine welfare. * Advocate –verb (used with object) - to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly. In effect, this means making an assessment of a situation/scenario, and publicly speaking/publishing in support of what the organisation believes will be in the best interests of the equines involved.
In the case of Jumps Racing, Quest has formed a view, from the perspective of the horses involved, and is bound to publicly declare and promote that considered opinion. To do anything else would be negligent in our view, and in breach of our stated mission. Quest's stance will naturally conflict with that of some of our supporters and friends, but we can make no apology for that.
We would like to see all equine rescue and welfare organisations join in ADVOCATING for these horses, and pushing for the ban of Jumps Racing.
If you have any material/information that you feel would be appropriate for this page, please do forward it to us via email.
The material on this page is not suitable for viewing by young children. Quest strongly believes that it is important to show any situation for what it really is. If an animal has to undergo it, the very least we as a community can do is to acknowledge it and not turn a blind eye. In saying that however, the images and footage that record the reality of 'jumps racing' are really too horrific for a young mind to process. Yes, supporters of jumps racing take their children to race meetings, but we can only wonder at how innocent minds process the blatant cruelty they witness.
A 15 year study into catastrophic injuries in flat and jumps racehorses (between 1989 – 2004) was conducted by Dr Lisa Boden and presented at the 'International Symposium for the Prevention of Thoroughbred Racehorse Fatalities and Injuries' in July 2005.
- Fatalities:
Jump horses: one death for every 115 horses that start in a race.
Flat horses: one death for every 2150 horses that start in a race.
- Catastrophic limb injuries:
18 times more likely in jump races than in flat races.
- Cranial (head) or vertebral (back and neck) injuries:
121 times more likely in jump races than flat races
- Sudden death:
3.5 times more likely in jump races (most sudden deaths attributed to catastrophic cardiovascular or respiratory failure).
These statistics provide clear evidence that jumps horses are pushed far beyond their normal limits, and are subjected to much greater physical, psychological and physiological stress than flat racehorses. Jumps horses are forced to experience the frightening ordeal of jumping over fixed obstacles, for long distances, at speed, and when fatigued, which interferes with their limb co-ordination.
REF:: ARTICLE FROM HUMANE SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL
JUMPS RACE SUPPORTERS HAVE THEIR SAY:
LINKS:
ABC'S JOSIE TAYLOR SPEAKS WITH RACING VICTORIA'S ROB HINES
ABC'S JOSIE TAYLOR SREAKS WITH VICTORIAN RACING MINISTER DENIS NAPTHINE
2008
2009
2010
2011
and so the 2011 season unfolds....
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