Should sulky racing be allowed?

paleoperson

How the hell can this be a thing in Ireland in 2015.

On the ****ing motorway.

lertsnim

Did you report it?

Youngblood.III

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

They claim they've been doing it for generations, yet motorways are only about 30 yrs old at most....more horse****e from that group.

Roger_007

Every time I go racing , I come home sulky.

Right Turn Clyde

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

The person who wrote that first poll entry is an idiot with no understanding of how the rule of law works. He should be locked up - in an adult education class.

tomwaterford

On public roads.(safety reasons)...but what harm if there not affecting anyone on like fields/unused business parks??

biko

On closed circuits yes, on roads no.

paleoperson

It should be banned and made highly illegal from now on.

lertsnim wrote: »

Did you report it?

Prime Time are doing a report on it now.

S. Goodspeed

It should be banned and made highly illegal from now on.

If only the animal rights activists weren't so busy saving foxes..

iDave

It should be banned and made highly illegal from now on.

Is being against certain types of racing racist?

Right Turn Clyde

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

S. Goodspeed wrote: »

If only the animal rights activists weren't so busy saving foxes..

I bet you can't name one Irish animal rights organisation. Don't bother googling it now. But just know that you're talking out of your arse.

My name is URL

I think it should be allowed and even promoted once it's not on public roads or relatively unsafe for the animals

NachoBusiness

Nickki Grahame is the British champion I'd say. Best sulker I've ever seen.

OldMrBrennan83

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Sir Osis of Liver.

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

Cream cracker defender is on now saying they have been racing on the Motorways for centuries.

Fcuk off.

Magnate

I've never seen such a loaded poll.

Right Turn Clyde

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

Patww79 wrote: »

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Racing horses along public roads. The tarmac seems to be entirely unsuitable for a horse's foot, causing a lot of damage. Plus, there's some concerns about the conditions that the horses are being kept in pre/post race. That's the debate, in a nutshell.

the dark phantom

Nothing like veering in to the hard shoulder as an elegant Piebald approaches, As free as the wind without a care in the world, The gentlemen's way of racing in style, Flaming red hair and stripey jumper as sportsmanlike as any jockey. This noble and safe pastime is a regular joy to behold on the Croom N20.

Tin Foil Hat

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

Patww79 wrote: »

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This:-

osarusan

Combine it with road bowling. I'd like to see that.

OldMrBrennan83

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Ave Sodalis

It's disgusting when it's done like that. I hate it. I'd like nothing more than to string a line across the road and have the jockeys run into it. Those horses are treated like sh*t. Culture, my arse. Jez I hate to see it. Now there is professional sulky racing, done with proper horses that aren't too young, with proper owners and properly fitting tack, with rules and regulations which the ban would affect. However, there's a certain community of people who don't use these official competitions. I could rant about them all day. Jez, they make my blood boil.

Justice4Adolf

I think it should be allowed.
Once it is not on public roads.
In no way on the roads. Or private property. And there's no horses allowed in it. And the travellers aren't allowed in the sulky. And there's no sulky involved.

Justice4Adolf

sup_dude wrote: »

Jez, they make my blood boil.

Oh, they'd steal your blood, given half a chance if you weren't watching it carefully.

Sir Osis of Liver.

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

osarusan wrote: »

Combine it with road bowling. I'd like to see that.

We could have a Traveller Olympics.The events could include:
Sulky Racing,Road Bowling,Wife Grabbing,Hi-Ace Derby,Oil Tank Emptying.
The possibilites are endless.

Rabbo

Magnate wrote: »

I've never seen such a loaded poll.

You've obviously never been to Warsaw on New Years night

mikeym

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

Animals are not allowed on motorways so its illegal to race horses on a motorway.

Basic stuff any motorist should know.

S. Goodspeed

It should be banned and made highly illegal from now on.

Right Turn Clyde wrote: »

I bet you can't name one Irish animal rights organisation. Don't bother googling it now. But just know that you're talking out of your arse.

What does me knowing the name of an Irish animal rights organisation got to do with it?!

The only times I hear about people protesting against the poor treatment of animals in Ireland it's related to fox hunting or national hunt racing. Maybe that's just selective media coverage and the hunt sabateours actually do some sulky sabatage in their spare time?

byhookorbycrook

It should be banned and made highly illegal from now on.

But it seems by funding Show jumping Ireland it's racist, don't ya know. SJI horses are chipped and have passports, they do not get sent jumping on motorways and no public authority buys 10 acres in Kilkenny to keep show jumpers.

Jotunheim

I always found Carl Lewis to be quite a sulky racer, but jailing him sounds harsh.

Right Turn Clyde

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

S. Goodspeed wrote: »

What does me knowing the name of an Irish animal rights organisation got to do with it?!

The only times I hear about people protesting against the poor treatment of animals in Ireland it's related to fox hunting or national hunt racing. Maybe that's just selective media coverage and the hunt sabateours actually do some sulky sabatage in their spare time?

Bloodsports attract the headlines for obvious reasons. The simple mistreatment of animals isn't nearly as popular with media outlets. So yes, it's selective media coverage. The question is to what extent will people dig beneath the mainstream media? The answer, in Ireland at least, is not at all.

Cold War Kid

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

S. Goodspeed wrote: »

The only times I hear about people protesting against the poor treatment of animals in Ireland it's related to fox hunting or national hunt racing. Maybe that's just selective media coverage and the hunt sabateours actually do some sulky sabatage in their spare time?

I would say so, yes. Just because the media doesn't cover it, doesn't mean those involved in animal welfare aren't working away continuously (which they are).

Ave Sodalis

Cold War Kid wrote:

I would say so, yes. Just because the media doesn't cover it, doesn't mean those involved in animal welfare aren't working away continuously (which they are).

They are, but this particular type of cruelty is very hard to combat when the type of people causing it is threatening violence whenever there's any attempt to save the horses. For example, I know of a horse that collapsed (oddly enough, yes it was in a sulky at the time) and a passerby called a vet... who was threatened at gun point when attempting to help the horse.

sullivlo

mikeym wrote: »

Animals are not allowed on motorways so its illegal to race horses on a motorway.

Basic stuff any motorist should know.

Yes. Because the community associated with sulky racing are very concerned with legality.

One More Toy

It should be banned and made highly illegal from now on.

I was gonna post a response but thought why bother. Too many sjw liberal lefties protecting the rights of a "race" of people who do F*** all but involve themselves in illegality. Hate the sight of them after being robbed by them.

And I will say that to anybody without regret. If that makes me racist so be it. But to me I would take ANY other nationality or actual race anyday over a traveller.

F** I ended up posting a rant anyway

DEFTLEFTHAND

Many of those horses have tough lives, they're not kept properly at all. Horses are noble animals who have served us for centuries and they deserve respect.

mojesius

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

The sulky enthusiasts were saying on the programme that they needed resources from KK council to build a sulky track to keep them off the roads and to look after the horses. Why don't they use some of the money earned from the betting on these races to invest in their own stables, tracks, equipment etc.? I'm sure they have a few acres of land to spare between them and those interviewees seemed to have plenty of spare time on their hands to start building their proposed set up.

Wanting handouts to fund their barbaric 'sport' from the taxpayer - Fcuking joke. Poor horses

RayM

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

Of course it should be banned. I'm sympathetic towards the aims of Pavee Point, and I don't share the usual After Hours attitude towards the entire Travelling community, but I thought one of Martin Collins' arguments on Prime Time tonight was particularly stupid and crass. Yes, Traveller men are seven times more likely to kill themselves, but indulging the cruel hobby of a minority of them is unlikely to address those problems. Bringing it up was a bit opportunistic. The government would be far better off reversing disproportionate cuts to Traveller education programmes than wasting money on barbaric crap like sulky racing.

One More Toy

It should be banned and made highly illegal from now on.

mojesius wrote: »

The sulky enthusiasts were saying on the programme that they needed resources from KK council to build a sulky track to keep them off the roads and to look after the horses. Why don't they use some of the money earned from the betting on these races to invest in their own stables, tracks, equipment etc.? I'm sure they have a few acres of land to spare between them and those interviewees seemed to have plenty of spare time on their hands to start building their proposed set up.

Wanting handouts to fund their barbaric 'sport' from the taxpayer - Fcuking joke. Poor horses

I agree. Not going to add anything further due to a warning already. But you already know.

PandaPoo

It should be banned and made highly illegal from now on.

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Many of those horses have tough lives, they're not kept properly at all. Horses are noble animals who have served us for centuries and they deserve respect.

On the way to Bray there's a few caravans in a field on the side of the road. There's always a horse or two kept in some sort of pen, no bigger than an average bedroom. Hate driving by, but nobody wants to know.

Of course it should be allowed, subject to the usual rules on not obstructing traffic. What is the reasoning for banning it? Because it's practised by people that include members of the travelling community? Some people have a hard on for hating everything to do with travellers.

Cold War Kid

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

Conor, I think people who want it banned are referring to when it's done on busy roads including dual carriageways, and when it involves a lack of decent conditions for the horses and the horses suffer. However not the below:

sup_dude wrote: »

Now there is professional sulky racing, done with proper horses that aren't too young, with proper owners and properly fitting tack, with rules and regulations which the ban would affect.

If what's quoted were followed in full, I wouldn't care who did it.

the_syco

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

S. Goodspeed wrote: »

The only times I hear about people protesting against the poor treatment of animals in Ireland it's related to fox hunting or national hunt racing.

Two issues. Firstly, nowhere to put the injured horses.
http://www.rte.ie/news/primetime/2015/0723/716729-prime-time-sulky-racing/

The ISPCA details the horrific injuries suffered by some horses which they have rescued. The charity impounded more than fifty horses already this year, it is struggling to cope. One of its sanctuaries we visit is full, there is no more room to receive horses, despite the almost daily phone calls reporting horses which members of the public fear are suffering or being abused.

Secondly, if anyone claims any traveller did anything, Pavee Point will be down calling you a racist.

Deleted User wrote: »

Of course it should be allowed, subject to the usual rules on not obstructing traffic. What is the reasoning for banning it?

Because when travellers do it on a public road, it's obstructing traffic.

Oh, and the above video was done by a traveller.

Mysterypunter

Travellers should be banned. Such a useless community. Load of uneducated conmen. Thick as custard most of em. Mostly chickens targeting the elderly. Bleeding hearts will defend them though. Dont know why myself, fuk political correctness tell the truth.

Mysterypunter

Mysterypunter wrote: »

Travellers should be banned. Such a useless community. Load of uneducated conmen. Thick as custard most of em. Mostly chickens targeting the elderly. Bleeding hearts will defend them though. Dont know why myself, fuk political correctness tell the truth.

Could you quote a source or reference for the "thick as custard" assertion?

It's very brave to "tell the truth" on an anonymous forum.

Cold War Kid

Cold War Kid wrote: »

Conor, I think people who want it banned are referring to when it's done on busy roads including dual carriageways...

the_syco wrote: »

Because when travellers do it on a public road, it's obstructing traffic.

Oh, and the above video was done by a traveller.

Hence I said "subject to the usual rules on not obstructing traffic".

Saw a few cyclists 3 abreast holding up traffic the other night. Naturally the conclusion is cycling should be banned.

ianobrien

I've no problem with it being on a road, as long as its done properly through proper road closures from the council, insured, properly marshalled and diversions arranged. This is the way motor club's arrange road closure for car and bike races and I've no problem with that. Speaking from experience, you'll have fierce trouble to get a piece of the N4 closed for a sulky race as its a national primary route and will the ethnic minority invest the money and months needed to get it closed legally?

I do have a problem with the manner some keep the horses and especially post race care. Horses never evolved to race on hard surfaces so subjecting them to racing on tarmac is cruel IMO. All other equestrian sports take place on dirt or grass surfaces and sulky racing should also.

The Black Oil

Two traveller men in the Prime Time interview linked owning/training horses with mental health.

One of them also talked about a high number of men in the community who can't read or write. He said nothing about improving literacy skills as a means of improving mental health...

bucketybuck

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

Deleted User wrote: »

Could you quote a source or reference for the "thick as custard" assertion?

It's very brave to "tell the truth" on an anonymous forum.

Would "thick as thieves" have been more appropriate?

cormie

This is a pretty informative video of the horse racing industry:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrT0h6NXjcA

I'd be surprised if these horses face a better fate.

Cold War Kid

It should be banned, though I have a certain respect for it.

Deleted User wrote: »

Hence I said "subject to the usual rules on not obstructing traffic".

Saw a few cyclists 3 abreast holding up traffic the other night. Naturally the conclusion is cycling should be banned.

Erra you're just arguing for the sake of it. What harm do cyclists do to animals? It's very dishonest to pretend people have a problem with sulky racing *only* because it's associated with travellers. Even the guy from Pavee Point on Prime Time was critical of it.