Harness racing involves welfare risks from training, racing demands, and the treatment of horses that do not perform at competitive levels.
Harness racing welfare involves the interaction of training methods, equipment design, racing demands, and end-of-career planning. Horses that cannot maintain competitive performance face limited rehoming options in an industry focused on racing quality. The use of hobbles that restrict gait creates physical constraint that prevents natural movement. The welfare of harness horses at all performance levels — from competitive to non-competitive — requires industry investment in rehoming programs and welfare standards throughout a horse's racing career.