The Dark Side of Horse Racing Revealed
Horse races have long been a symbol of elegance and competition, from ancient chariot races to the majestic pageantry at major events. They are also a sport steeped in time-honored traditions that continue to capture the imagination of millions of fans around the world.
But behind the glitz and glamour of horse racing lurks a dark reality that most outsiders are unaware of. A new book, Horses at the Race Track, by Patrick Battuello of the nonprofit organization Horseracing Wrongs, exposes the systematic cruelty that exists in America’s most popular spectator sport.
The authors take readers inside the equine industry to show that, while horses are bred for speed, it is human training and a lack of space that causes their most serious injuries. They explain that horse’s natural instincts are inhibited by their unnatural confinement, which can cause a range of mental and physical ailments, including compulsive behavior like biting on their gates, cribbing (stressing their neck muscles while grabbing and contracting them) and pacing.
While many outsiders see the sport as an extravagant display of animal vanity, the horse-racing industry is slowly working to improve conditions for its athletes, especially as a result of heightened awareness about animal welfare. From safer tracks to improved veterinary care, the horse racing industry has taken steps to address issues that may have once been ignored.
The horses are still suffering, however. As the authors note, the deaths of Eight Belles and Havnameltdown have caused a backlash among horse-racing outsiders, which is likely to continue as people learn more about the treatment and condition of racehorses. Those issues include the injection of corticosteroids in four weeks before the Preakness and the use of sedatives during training. The findings in the postmortem of Havnameltdown, such as bone cysts and severe osteoarthritis in her front limbs and hocks, may be particularly alarming to those outside the horse-racing industry.
The authors’ hope is that this book will spur a broader discussion of horse racing as more Americans become aware of the cruelty and suffering associated with it. And while they don’t call for its end, they do urge reforms, including a ban on the use of sedatives and other drugs in equine training and racing. The horses deserve better, the authors conclude. The book, whose cover features the equine form of the skull, is available on Amazon. It is an important read for anyone interested in horse racing, whether as a fan or not. And the lessons it teaches are applicable to any type of sports.
