The Horse Race Industry
Horse race is a sport that has long been beloved by millions of people around the world. But behind the glamour of fancy hats and celebrity sightings lies a grueling and terrifying industry. Injuries are commonplace and horses are often killed in accidents or euthanised after suffering crippling injuries, or sent to slaughter after failing to win a race. This multimillion-pound industry treats its animals as nothing more than disposable commodities and the lives of these sensitive, intelligent creatures are often destroyed as a result.
Horse racing is an ancient activity, with some historians dating it back as far as the Greek Olympic Games in 700 to 40 B.C. After that, the sport spread to neighboring countries such as China, Persia and Arabia, and from there it grew in popularity and influence worldwide. In the modern era, the sport has seen many technological advancements and betting options. However, it’s important to remember that horse racing is still an exploitative, animal-based activity that has no place in our society.
In a race, humans perched on top of the horses compel them with a whip to run at breakneck speeds. This is inherently dangerous, and human-induced stress can induce stereotypical behaviours such as crib biting and weaving. In addition, a horse’s heartbeat can increase tenfold during a race from the normal rate of 25 beats to an excessive 250 beats per minute, leading to total exhaustion and sometimes collapse.
Despite the fact that there are still places in the world where one can see wild horses running freely, it is important to remember that the idea of winning a horse race is a man-made construct. In nature, horses understand the importance of self-preservation and will only run if they feel safe.
On the track, horses are whipped relentlessly to run faster than their natural capabilities and in many cases they suffer catastrophic injuries. A common and deadly injury is a broken leg which can lead to internal bleeding or even death. The horse’s lungs can also collapse and its heart may fail.
Another major problem in the racetrack is that most of the money is made by a small number of big owners. This gives them a strong incentive to push a horse beyond its limits and drugs are widely used. A 2014 New York Times report found that trainers have forced injured horses to run, over-drugged them and used shockers (a form of electric provocation) during training sessions.
This is why it’s so crucial to boycott horse races. Instead, if you want to bet on a sport, please consider placing your bets on a football match or any other event that treats its participants as willing athletes rather than mistreated, vulnerable animals. If you love horses, don’t support this exploitative system; instead, go to a beach and watch the wildlife. And if you enjoy a flutter, please choose a bookmaker or casino that cares about its customers’ welfare. Together we can end this industry’s exploitation of horses and help save thousands of their lives every year.