In the past two years, 2011 and 2012, four horses alone were killed in the National,which raises the question - Can the Grand National ever be free from fatalities?
I believe that the event has become ever more dangerous for equines and humans alike due to the measures imposed after the 2011 event. These included reducing the drop on the side of the infamous Beechers Brook and reducing the heights of the fences. Many in the racing industry have argued that these measures have made the race inadvertently more dangerous. It is not the height of the fences that kill, it is the speed. The faster the horses go into the fences, the increased liklihood that poor jumps by the horses will occur. Rotational falls, where the horse somersaults over itself, are often fatal for horses. This is shown by the 2011 race where Ornais was instantly killed after landing on his neck and breaking it.
Moreover fatalities have increased as the fences and drops have been reduced in size. For example, between 1959 and 1967 only two horses died in the race whereas from 2002 to 2009, seven horses were killed.
Many have pondered on how the National can be made safer. I alongside a great number of people enjoy horse racing in general as well as the National. However, it is often forgotten that equine sport is intrinsically a high risk sport . More extreme Animal welfare groups ,such as Animal Aid, have argued that racing is akin to Bullfighting where people intend for the animals to be fatally injured. In the National, the horses are the pride and joy of their trainers and owners alike.
The size of the field, the number of horses and jockeys taking part, is what sets the National apart from other jump races. With the large number of entries, 40, there is a greater risk of 'pile ups' ie when a horse in the lead falls and others fall as a result of fallen horses and riders in their way. This proved to be fatal for a 2012 runner, According to Pete. The horse was jumping well and was near the leaders on the second and final circuit when the horse in front fell and According to Pete tangled a leg and broke it.
I believe the health and safety measures introduced in the National have increased the fatalities- as the horses will not entirely careful over smaller fences. In my eyes the bigger the fences, the more the horses and riders will respect them and not take the fences for granted.
The size of the field, the number of horses and jockeys taking part, is what sets the National apart from other jump races. With the large number of entries, 40, there is a greater risk of 'pile ups' ie when a horse in the lead falls and others fall as a result of fallen horses and riders in their way. This proved to be fatal for a 2012 runner, According to Pete. The horse was jumping well and was near the leaders on the second and final circuit when the horse in front fell and According to Pete tangled a leg and broke it.
I believe the health and safety measures introduced in the National have increased the fatalities- as the horses will not entirely careful over smaller fences. In my eyes the bigger the fences, the more the horses and riders will respect them and not take the fences for granted.
