Working Animal Welfare

Horse Racing Injury Prevention and Welfare

Horse racing causes significant injury and death, with welfare concerns including overtraining, medication abuse, catastrophic fractures, and inhumane disposal of retired horses.

Key Facts

Approximately 1 in 1000 racing starts results in a horse fatality in thoroughbred racing
Catastrophic fractures on dirt tracks occur at higher rates than synthetic surfaces
NSAIDs and other medications are used to mask pain and allow racing of unsound horses
Lasix use to control exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage is banned in some jurisdictions
Retired thoroughbreds face welfare risks from inadequate rehoming support programs

Welfare Considerations

Horse racing welfare encompasses a spectrum of concerns from race-day injuries to the entire lifecycle of racehorses. Medicating horses to race through pain masks welfare signals and increases injury risk. Track surface quality directly affects injury rates. Retirement welfare is inadequately addressed in most jurisdictions. Industry reforms including synthetic surfaces, stricter medication rules, and mandatory retirement welfare funding are achievable improvements.

What You Can Do

Support horse racing welfare reform advocacy including synthetic track requirements
Donate to thoroughbred rescue and rehoming organizations that support retired racehorses
Advocate for stricter race-day medication rules and veterinary oversight requirements
Learn about the evidence on track surface types and their effect on horse injury rates