Horse racing involves significant injury and mortality risks, and the industry faces growing pressure to improve welfare standards through track design, race scheduling, and horse selection.
Racehorse welfare involves an inherent tension between the natural athleticism of horses and the commercial and competitive pressures of racing. Musculoskeletal injuries causing euthanasia on track represent the most visible welfare failures, but chronic issues including gastric ulcers, respiratory problems, and behavioral distress in intensive training are also significant. Industry-led welfare initiatives have improved retirement retraining and veterinary inspection, but external pressure from welfare organizations and the public continues to drive further reform. Course safety improvements including better surface management have demonstrably reduced fatality rates at some venues.