Animals have feelings just like us
While an animal lover like me had to endure the constant talk about ‘almighty God Ruby Walsh’ and loads of other jockeys, I couldn’t believe when I read reports that Ruby Walsh had allegedly said that horses are replaceable.
I used to really admire Ruby Walsh. I admired his never-give-up spirit and winning attitude, he should be completely proud of that. However, where it all went downhill for my relationship with horse-racing was the industry’s attitude to the whip. Now, I’m not an eejit, I’ve a good enough brain and I understand that you need to control a colossal animal like a horse in some way, but by slapping and hitting its behind until you get over the line is just horrible to me. How about I get on your back and you run 100m while I hit you across the behind with my stick, eh?
