The Corner with Garry Chittick

The concerns of our animal welfare advocates are of course, shared by all. I recently listened to a podcast where legitimate claims were made of examples none of us can be proud of.

We currently have our greyhound industry fighting the shadow of elimination. The suggestion is that this is the first step, harness racing then gallops will next attract the interest of our animal rights proponents.

I don’t intend to devote my Corner to “Save the Greyhounds” except to say those involved in the sport care for their dogs as they should. It wouldn’t make any sense to expect them to perform undernourished, unfit.

The advocates of abolishing rightfully raise the issue of injuries. I know their Chief Executive, if he says the improvements in their sport are reducing the risks, then I respect their endeavours.

I can speak with some authority about the Code of Thoroughbred Racing. Waikato Stud never has less than 600 horses to care for. Then, in the breeding season, we would anticipate up to another 300. The permanent staff are experienced and enthusiastic; every horse is inspected twice daily. The capital expenditure, fencing alone is mind-boggling. We are privileged to have some 800 hectares of ideal terroir to offer the horses world-class conditions. Our farming team have the responsibility of providing pasture in top condition, this involves judicious use of grazing cattle, fertiliser. Animal welfare is the responsibility of two fully qualified veterinarians. I could go on, but anyone who suggests the above is to enable us to exploit the animal has no understanding of why we do it.

We are not alone; all our fellow breeders offer no less to our breed.

Now, let’s assume over the course of time the opponents of our use of our breed bring about the change they advocate. What is the only outcome – remember I am only today focusing on our breed, 10,000 thoroughbred mares will no longer be cared for. A-ha, you say, if you really cared, you would give the same as always. This is fantasy land, the sheer economics of maintaining any form of livestock with no return will determine their future. No blacksmith, no drench, no supplementary feed when required, no manes pulled, no controlled breeding, do you need me to go on.

So, what is it about the three Codes that attracts this level of opposition. Watch any mob of horses free ranging, they will exercise and compete freely, some will receive injuries. Controlled racing involves the carrying of a jockey. Well, the breed has evolved over 2000 years, carrying bigger imposts than our riders. The use of the whip is a pet complaint; the whip has been constantly modified, with its use regulated.

Am I suggesting we should ignore at our peril those advocates, who in my view have not truly weighed up the consequences.

We live in a strange world – a number of years ago, Scientologists were concerned about the pain induced by the picking of tomatoes, I am not sure if it was the vine or the fruit or both they were concerned about; the beheading of a cabbage apparently didn’t meet the threshold.

A short time ago, I flew around Australia – the whaler, a famous breed of horse used in the First War, got out of hand, requiring a cull of 10,000, camels were introduced in Darwin as pack animals, at the time of our visit the Government of the day granted A$30 million to enable the culling of up to 1 million animals.

We visited cattle ranches where the live calf get was 40%, the dingoes ripped the intestines of the others before they could stand.

I haven’t mentioned man’s inhumanity to fellow man.

Well-meaning our animal rights people may be, they have plenty to focus on.

Our breed are loved and looked after, we will remain proud advocates of our right to continue.

Cheers,
G