SUSIE Groess-Saurau (Letters, March, 17) is confusing keeping horses as pets and keeping horses for racing.
Racing is a business, and owners keep horses to make money. Like other businesses, something will be 'loved' while it is making money; when this stops the item is disposed of. Thousands of horses leave racing each year. The lucky ones end up in animal sanctuaries, others are slaughtered for pet food.
Racehorses are pushed to their limit. Around 300 die on British racecourses each year. They are shot following falls, or suffer fatal heart attacks. A loving pet owner would never put their animal in this danger.
Miss Groess-Saurau is correct in saying that there are rules about whipping. However, riders who exceed the limit may receive a ban of just a day or two. Those who win and are banned are allowed to keep their prize money, and their win stands in the record books.
There can be no excuse for the cruel use of animals purely for human pleasure.
Marilyn Harrison
Beaulieu Close
Toothill, Swindon
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