Thoroughbred racehorses face significant welfare challenges at retirement, with insufficient retraining capacity for the thousands leaving racing annually.
The welfare of retiring racehorses depends entirely on whether retraining capacity exists to bridge between racing fitness and suitability for second careers as sport horses or companions. Without adequate investment in retraining programs, horses that have served the racing industry face abandonment or slaughter. Racing industry levy funding of retirement programs is growing but remains insufficient.