Equines

The Welfare of Horses Used in Racing

Horse racing remains one of the most publicly visible equine welfare controversies, involving injury risk, intensive training, and life after racing.

Key Facts

Thoroughbred horses are bred for speed at the expense of skeletal soundness
Fatal musculoskeletal injuries occur in approximately 1-2 per 1,000 race starts
Racehorses commonly develop gastric ulcers due to stress and feeding regimes
Many horses are started under saddle before skeletal maturity at 2 years
Post-racing rehoming or slaughter represents a major welfare gap

Welfare Considerations

Racing welfare encompasses the full lifespan of the horse: from intense training at young ages through the competition career and into retirement. Drug use to mask pain and enable horses to race through injury is a persistent problem. The aftercare gap — what happens to horses when their racing career ends — affects tens of thousands of animals annually with outcomes ranging from rescue and rehoming to slaughter.

What You Can Do

Support horse racing aftercare and rehoming organizations financially
Advocate for minimum age restrictions on race training and competition
Champion independent veterinary oversight at all race meetings
Choose not to bet on racing if you have welfare concerns about the industry