Thoroughbred horse racing generates billions in revenue but is associated with high rates of catastrophic injury, overtraining stress, and welfare harms that are rarely disclosed to the public.
Running on injured or inflamed legs causes acute pain. Many horses are euthanized on-track after catastrophic fractures. The racing industry's economic model creates incentives to race horses before they are physically ready and to mask pain rather than rest animals. Retirement pipeline gaps mean former racehorses often end up at auction for slaughter.