By Maria Millers

With the Spring Racing Carnival in full swing this week, the horses are the stars. These magnificent and powerful creatures have captivated people’s imagination for centuries, from myths and legends they have left a significant mark in various contexts: war to literature, culture and sport.

So when these animals appear in our dreams, they have a deep symbolic meaning that often represents raw instincts, sexual energy, inner power, or a need for freedom and escape.

Into the kingdom of dreams they come,
Horses with manes like waves of silver moonlight,
Hooves that scatter stardust, tails that sweep the night.
They take us beyond the limits of reality,
To invisible, unexplored, unknown worlds. (Mystical Companions by Dan Higgins).

The relationship between horses and people is rich, deep and ancient. Think of Bucefel’s beloved steed Alexander the Great or Seabiscuit, the American thoroughbred of mediocre lineage who during the Depression brought hope to millions of people happy to see an underdog triumph. And similarly, our own Phar Lap was a source of pride for struggling Australians. Nor should we forget the bravery and loyalty of horses on the front lines that provided company and strength to soldiers in past wars.

Horses have also played an important role in transportation, food production, and industry. Whether pulling the plow in the field or working as a pony in the mines. Not long ago, milk was still delivered using horse-drawn vehicles in some areas.

In The Man from the Snowy RiverBanjo Paterson illustrates the bond that existed between Australians and their horses, portraying horses as more than just animals; They are loyal partners and trusted companions in a challenging environment.

“So it was; They found him later, at the foot of the hill,
In a group of trees and bushes, all wide open;
And the man from Snowy River never haggled on a hill…
Because his horse could climb a mountain that an alpine goat would avoid,
And he had his horse, his friend, his only hope and work.”

This week, as the Spring Racing Carnival unfolds and peaks with the Melbourne Cup, there are mixed feelings abroad. No doubt, Victorians are happy to enjoy a holiday, but not everyone views this event positively.

The increasing commercialization of the event and growing international influence have made it seem in many minds removed from the roots of Australian culture.

But for government and business the Melbourne Cup generates more economic benefits than any other sporting event in Australia.

Still, the wave of criticism is growing.

The most important thing is concern for the well-being of the animals. Those in the industry will argue that racehorses are the most pampered animals and cared for by teams of keepers, farriers, nutritionists, veterinarians, behaviorists and physiotherapists to ensure they are in optimal health and condition.

Many, such as Australian philosopher and animal rights advocate Peter Singer, argue that horse racing is ethically unjustifiable, as horses are often subjected to significant injury and suffering primarily for human entertainment and benefit.

There is selective breeding and culling of those who early show a lack of career potential. And then there is the practice of overtraining young horses which often leads to injuries that make them no longer profitable for racing. This raises disturbing questions about what happens to them? Some are “rehomed” to families, farms or charities, but the unpleasant thing is that the slaughter of purebreds is legal in Australia and that is the fate of many.

For many, the use of the whip is unacceptable. There are now restrictions on the use of the whip, but it still allows the jockey to inflict pain when the guidelines only stipulate that the whip be used humanely and avoiding sensitive parts.

And horse injuries and deaths continue to occur regularly.

It is worth reminding those who justify extreme training and racing by believing that horses, like their human counterparts, are elite athletes and are therefore happy to subject themselves to the rigors of training etc. The difference is that the human athlete made the decision to become one, while the horse was not given that option.

“The horse is, like man, the most beautiful and the most miserable of creatures, only, in the case of man, it is vice or property that makes him ugly. He is responsible for his own decay, while the horse is only a slave.” (Rosa Bonheur, The Horse).

The Cup’s economic boost spans numerous sectors, including retail, hospitality and tourism. It increasingly appears to be a corporate branding event where so-called celebrities, influencers and wealthy socialites promote outfits ranging from the extreme to the bizarre and dine and drink in gorgeous tents, while the General public is limited to grass areas and general entrance. Supports. The traditional elegance of the past has often given way to unfortunate fashion choices, excessive alcohol consumption, and questionable behavior.

Overall, while the Melbourne Cup is a celebrated event that brings people together, social divisions are evident in the way attendees interact with the event, their clothing and their allocated areas.

While many participants and companies involved in the Melbourne Cup make profits, racing clubs, sponsors and betting agencies often make the most significant financial gains overall.

Overall, while the Cup may not consistently cause the same high-frequency losses as everyday gambling venues, it still represents a substantial risk to those susceptible to gambling harm, especially given the increased media coverage and enormous focus on career.

For those hoping the Cup will be their only event of the year, I wish you all the best of luck. But keep in mind that behind the glitz and glamor is reality and think about the horses.

An extract from Philip Larkin’s At Grass reflects on the lives of horses after their racing careers, depicting them as they graze in a pasture, free from the pressures of their former lives.

Do memories plague your ears like flies?
He shakes his head. Dusk fills the shadows.
Summer after summer everything was stolen,
The exit doors, the crowd and the screams –
All but the quiet meadows.
Allianced, their names live; they

They have slipped their names and are calm,
Or gallop for what should be joy,
And not even a binocular can see them at home,
Or curious chronometer prophecies:
Only the bride and groom, and the groom,
With bridles the night comes.

Maria Millers He is the founder of the Woorilla Poetry Prize. The Woorilla Poetry Prize event will take place at 2pm on November 17 at Hills Hub. Lovely afternoon of performances, music and good food.

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