Horse racing causes significant welfare problems that have sparked calls for reform or abolition of the sport.
Horse racing welfare problems are structural, not incidental. Racing 2-year-old horses before skeletal maturity predisposes to fractures that end careers and lives. The emphasis on early speed selection means the fastest horses often have the most extreme conformation, which correlates with injury risk. Whipping — still permitted in many jurisdictions — causes acute pain. The aftermath of racing careers includes abandonment, inappropriate sale for slaughter, and transition to new disciplines without appropriate rehabilitation. Track surfaces, race distances, and workload regulations all influence injury rates and can be reformed without ending the sport.