Activists get on their high horse
It was the tragic sight nobody wanted to see. Or did they? Yet another Melbourne Cup death has the animal welfare crusade in full swing. The tragic loss of The Cliffsofmoher – who was euthanised on Tuesday after suffering a fracture to his right shoulder – was another unwanted chapter in the recent run of cup deaths.
Some of the more credible welfare groups in Australia are calling for significant changes to racing but many individuals are making outlandish claims to bring the curtain down on the sport of kings for good.
Most of the welfare groups are packing genuine concern but many activists seem to be revelling in the fact another horse has died on a day when the eyes of the word were watching the race that stops a nation.
Strangely, it is becoming more fashionable to protest against racing in an age when gigantic strides have been taken by racing bodies to dramatically improve welfare standards.
Yes there have been too many deaths in the cup – but whether that is more bad luck than bad management is up for serious debate.
In the wake of Tuesday’s death, those against racing are screaming from the rooftops – aka posting strongly worded protests on social media – that horses were being killed for entertainment and betting purposes.
But is racing and in particular the Melbourne Cup becoming a soft target for those against animal cruelty?
How come they only protest on the biggest day of the year? You don’t see them at Kilmore on a Monday.
Why don’t we see them protesting against hunters who shoot, stab and set dogs on animals for recreational purposes?
Is it because there is no media coverage in the back blocks? Much like Kilmore on a Monday.
The injury suffered by The Cliffsofmoher could have just as easily happened running around in a paddock.
It happened it front of more than 83,000 punters and a world wide TV audience of millions.
When it comes to horses being euthanised there are facts that too often get hazed over in a smokescreen of irrational protesting.
Horses are euthanised to save them from suffering in pain. But that’s not something the animal activists will advertise often.
Horses are not like humans. They can’t be chucked in a sling on domiciled on the couch until a broken leg heals.
A 500kg plus beast, used to roaming in a paddock, will always struggle on three legs in a box.
There is no denying the death of any racehorse is tragic.
Imagine owning a horse and proudly telling all your family and friends to come along and watch it, but instead witness it being put down.
Imagine what it was like for The Cliffsofmoher? Horses are smart. It’s a fair bet he didn’t think a camping trip was on the horizon when the tent was being erected.
Sadly there is a gigantic disconnect between the racing industry and most of the animal welfare groups because neither sector seems to fully understands the other.
Despite The Cliffsofmoher’s death occurring early in the race, before the whip was used, it has renewed calls to ban it.
Jockeys say the whip is as much of a safety measure to help control and guide the horse as it is to make it try harder.
Their opinion might be considered biased by the anti-racing brigade but how many of them have put their lives on the line by riding one in a race.
The Cliffsofmoher’s death has also brought calls to ban two-year-old racing but many Melbourne Cup horses, who race over the staying trip of 3200m, don’t race at two.
If activists are serious about change, it’s time to do away with the sensationalist claims and pick up the peace pipe for a more collaborative approach with racing’s integrity divisions.
Both sides need to drop the stigma and work together.