The Horse Race and Equine Welfare
Horse racing is a global sport whose roots go back to ancient civilizations. The sport is a contest of speed and stamina, as well as the rider’s skill and judgment. The basic concept has changed very little over the centuries, although it has evolved from a primitive contest between two animals to a spectacular spectacle featuring many horses and spectators. Despite its long history, horse racing has come into focus recently in the context of animal welfare issues, with federal regulations making a measurable impact on equine safety.
The decline in equine fatalities is significant, and it offers hope for the future of the industry. But it is important to view this data with a healthy dose of perspective. Despite the progress, a racetrack’s inherent risk is still present – and persists across regional differences. The latest figures from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) show a clear, steady trend: fewer horses died in 2024 than in any previous year, with the number of deaths per 1,000 starts down 27 percent.
This decline should be viewed as an encouraging sign, but it also illustrates how the industry has a long way to go in improving its track conditions, veterinary care, and overall horse welfare. It will also take a greater commitment from the participants, including trainers and owners. Moreover, the industry must move away from the perception that the sport is an all-or-nothing proposition.
Despite its many problems, horseracing is a popular spectator sport in the United States. In fact, it is the second most popular spectator sport in America after baseball. And, with its storied traditions and ceremonial pageantry, the sport has long captivated fans.
But, as the recent case of Nehro demonstrates, horse racing can be cruel to its competitors. Nehro was a beaten, starved, and mistreated horse who suffered from multiple injuries before being retired in 2022 after an injury to his left hind leg that required surgery. Nehro’s injuries were caused by multiple rounds of electric shocks administered to the horse to produce bursts of speed in races.
Nehro’s ordeal highlights the need for a change in the way that horse races are governed. And, while a horse race might have a lot to offer fans and investors, the sport’s popularity must not be exploited for profit and prestige. Instead, it is time for horse races to abandon its reliance on pre-election polling and embrace more sophisticated, objective journalism.