Better Horse Racing Welfare (why it’s needed)
Despite England only having 19 greyhound racecourses left (due to people waking up to the realities), horse-racing welfare seems to be a bigger nut to crap. Profits and tradition often outweigh welfare, in a ‘sport’ that lets animals be whipped, and many are injured or killed in steeplechases each year. And it also creates huge gambling problems.
Over-training can lead to injury, stress and burnout, and galloping at fast speed is not natural behaviour (grazing together in fields is). Many racehorses endure harsh schedules, and some are killed at end of training life.
Horses are herd animals, and not prone to be locked in stalls, missing out on social bonds.
League Against Cruel Sports wants races of 4 miles or more (with fences) to be banned (other horses die during training or elective euthanasia). It also wants a reduction on number of horses and making fences easier for tired horses.
Animal Aid wants a government body responsible for racehorse welfare (instead of self-regulating) as 13,000 foals are born into the British and Irish racing industry each year, due to the huge financial benefits of a winning horse. One campaign is for £12 million of prize money to be directed to racehorse aftercare.
Addressing England’s Huge Gambling Issues
England has a huge gambling problem. Often called the ‘secret addiction’, as often it’s only the bookie and the banker that are aware. But betting on horses is mostly destined to lose you money. To make big profits for betting shops.
The betting shop industry in the UK alone rakes in over £13 billion. Online bookmakers (which thrived during the pandemic) are now making a fortune too. Gambling at worst causes financial loss and family arguments, at worse it causes many suicides.
Most people gamble for a ‘bit of fun’. But of course many faiths (like the Quakers) say that gambling is a mug’s game (they won’t even take National Lottery money, as ‘in order to win, someone poor has to lose’).
If you have debts that are piling up, contact a debt charity like StepChange, rather than put all your money on the horses. Betting also takes up a lot of time (how boring is it to spend your life in betting shops?)
Find some new hobbies, and move onto more fun and financial freedom. If you need help, get support from GamCare.
Expert Advice for Better Horse Racing Welfare
Those who advocate for better welfare in the horse racing industry advise the following solutions, as a good start:
- Pre-race ‘suitability to race’ checks for injured or previously lame horses
- Strict zero-tolerance policies on anabolic steroids and performance-enhancing drugs.
- White (not orange) hurdles, for better visibility.
- Mandatory misting fans, shaded areas (and no racing) in hot weather.
- Traceability and care for retired horses.
Common Welfare Concerns
- Bone traumas are the leading cause of fatalities, and soft tissue injuries are common.
- RSPCA Australia opposes the use of whip, tongue-ties and spurs, due to pain and discomfort.
- Long-term care for slow or injured horses
The Campaign to Ban Steeple Chasing
Many people want at least a ban on steeple chasing, as jumping high-speed over fixed obstacles often causes injury and death. Experts say that this has a seven times higher rate of mortality, compared to flat racing. Although British Horseracing Authority says that lighter fences have reduced fatalities, they still happen.
The Grand National is likely the best-known steeplechase in the world. But there are calls to ban in, with over 59 horse deaths since 2000. This 4.25 mile race (with over 30 fences) is so dangerous, that many are upset that so many horse lives are put at risk for ‘entertainment’, gambling and prize winnings.
In 2025, Celebre d’Allen (who had travelled the long journey from Somerset to Aintree) could not finish the face (he was 13, very old for a racing horse). He then had to make the long journey back to Somerset, where he collapsed and died of a severe bacterial respiratory infection, likely brought on from exhaustion.
Why Are Horses Whipped During Races?
It remains unbelievable in an animal-loving country, how people pay to see innocent animals whipped for money. Of course, the racing industry argues that it is to maintain focus, maximise speed and avoid dangerous collisions.
But all the evidence points that despite ‘padded whips’, strikes still cause pain and injury. And research by Professor Paul McGreevy at University of Sydney found no difference in race safety or speed, between races with and without whips. There are limits to the number of strikes (seven in a flat race), but just saying that sounds wrong, doesn’t it?
Support Racehorse Sanctuaries
Many ex-racehorses become stud horses for breeding, but it’s inevitable that some end up in the abattoir. One way to help is to support sanctuaries (Racehorse Rehoming Centre and Racehorse Rescue).
