Cross Breeds

Are race track horses treated worse than in other horse sports?

I heard they were not treated well, so I've never made an attempt to go to the race track, but I've been to a lot of other horse sports. Are the horses okay? Can I go to the race track?

Public Comments

1. Yes..you can go. Many people can go there. In all sports, there are those who treat their horses badly, and who are in it for the money. There are also those who treat their horses very well, and are in it for the fun! It depends on the person really.
2. Most trainers train horses because they love horses. Racehorses need to be kept in top physicall condition if they are to be any good at racing. Some people drug their horses and treat them badly,but that's only like 20% of all trainers. The whipping is'nt really painful,I mean,they have really huge muscles,so it's just kind of an annoying stingy feeling.Unless they get whippen in the face.
3. There are abusive people in every part of the horse industry and in every sport. That does not make all horse people or all racehorse people abusive to their horses. I have grown up on a commercial TB stud and was a strapper for many years before becoming an apprentice jockey. I know that our horses were very valuable and were treated better than most horses I've come across since. They were in good large stables, on daily turn out, had friends nose to nose each day and night. They got the best feed, medical care, shoeing and dentistry available. Each afternoon they would be hand grazed by the strappers for that extra bit and always were groomed impeccably. They are spelled roughly around every 4 months (here in Aus) and the majority of their training is fitness, which including swimming. Our horses got galloped less than once a week. And contrary to many peoples belief on YA they are not raced (here anyway) before they are actually 2yo. Most of them are actually rising 3yo in our spring and race in the 2yo races at the major meetings at our spring carnivals. We don't have many 2yo races here at all. But perhaps this is different in different countries. Obviously there are people who do not keep their horses in first class facilities and put money before the horses welfare. In Aus you have to be licensed to train a racehorse or even to be a strapper. It is not just a job anyone can walk into and it is hard work. If you go to the races and sit out the back at the stalls and watch the many dedicated strappers work with their horses (most have around 5 to look after at the stables). Then you would see that these (mainly) girls love these horses and they get nothing but the best. And if you want to see a more candid snap shot, go down to the track in the morning (early ;-) and watch them in action on a normal daily exercise morning. You won't see all the flash bridles and rugs. But you will see the same dedicated people (in their work clothes LOL) still working just as hard to ensure these horses welfare. It is free to sit in the stands and watch or to walk around the stalls (just keep out of the way ;-) Because lets face it a happy and healthy horse will work better and have a much longer career than a horse who is treated poorly. Just some back yard nits are not smart enough to figure that out yet. And they don't deserve to have a licence at all. The only way to know if you think it is ok, is for you to go and have a look. I hope you enjoy it ;-)
4. it all comes down to who the owners are. and yes some race horses get treated ever so badly. also, in other countrys it is a lot worse for many reasons. my friends sister treats her horse like a bit of dirt on the ground when she schools him and never loves him. many people are worse!!!! well i love my horse x