Posted on Jun 14, 2023
Racehorses are dying during competitions. What can be done?
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In the span of six weeks during this year’s spring season, twelve racehorses died at Churchill Downs racetrack in Kentucky, the home of the Kentucky Derby.
The abnormally high number of fatalities is drawing renewed, mainstream attention to equine safety, a long-debated, complex, and controversial topic within the sport.
In response to the deaths, Churchill Downs suspended races for the remainder of the spring season. Scheduled events will take place at another Kentucky racetrack.
The circumstances are reminiscent of a rash of 3o horse deaths during a six-month period at Santa Anita Park in California in 2019.
In the aftermath, the federal government passed the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), which created nationwide safety, anti-doping, and medication standards for the sport.
Why do horses die at racetracks, what’s being done to keep them safe, and what does it all mean for the future of the sport?
The abnormally high number of fatalities is drawing renewed, mainstream attention to equine safety, a long-debated, complex, and controversial topic within the sport.
In response to the deaths, Churchill Downs suspended races for the remainder of the spring season. Scheduled events will take place at another Kentucky racetrack.
The circumstances are reminiscent of a rash of 3o horse deaths during a six-month period at Santa Anita Park in California in 2019.
In the aftermath, the federal government passed the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), which created nationwide safety, anti-doping, and medication standards for the sport.
Why do horses die at racetracks, what’s being done to keep them safe, and what does it all mean for the future of the sport?
Racehorses are dying during competitions. What can be done?
Posted from the1a.orgPosted in these groups: 
Horses and Horseback Riding
Louisville
Horses and Horseback Riding Louisville
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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Detailed investigations have not found any specific causes for the variety of injuries and deaths this season at Churchill Downs. Race horses are badly inbred and are genetically inferior to any other breed of horse. Despite their size and speed these are fragile animals. Then add in the fact that most of those deaths are horses that were killed by veterinarians because it costs too much to provide medical treatment for an injured race horse that will never be able to race again.
A race horse that is injured AFTER a highly successful career (one to three years!) might get medical care for an injury if they are good for breeding, but any race horse with a significant injury before becoming famous is going to be put down.
They entire thoroughbred industry is a complete travesty of animal abuse, but there is a lot of money involved and a lot of big names, so nothing will ever be done about it.
A race horse that is injured AFTER a highly successful career (one to three years!) might get medical care for an injury if they are good for breeding, but any race horse with a significant injury before becoming famous is going to be put down.
They entire thoroughbred industry is a complete travesty of animal abuse, but there is a lot of money involved and a lot of big names, so nothing will ever be done about it.
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My suspicions are there is gambling influence in the background, it you don't throw a race when they tell you too, they do something to the horse.
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I'm hoping this will lead to more humane practices within the horse racing industry but I'm not holding my breath.
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