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Horse Racing

How horse racing impact animals

“It’s hard to watch these poor animals running for their lives for people who could really care less if they live.”
– Dr Margaret Ohlinger, track vet, Finger Lakes (New York Times, 24th March 2012)

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Thousands of horses are bred into the Australian racing industry every year. Only a third of these will survive to make the race track, and those that do face lengthy confinement, cruel practices like tongue ties and whipping, and the risk of injury or death. If they survive the average career length of 2-3 years on the racetrack, the industry is not obligated to provide ongoing care. Instead, horses can be discarded with very little oversight and through the sheer numbers being bred and limited homes available, a high chance of ending up at the knackery.

Fast Facts

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Racing babies

RACING TO RICHES

A Horse's musculoskeletal system isn't fully formed until they are between 5 and 8 years old (depending on their sex, breed and size, with larger and male horses taking longer to mature physically). The last bones to fuse are the vertebral column (back bones) between five and a half and eight years of age.

 

Despite this, horses in the racing industry can commence intense training from just one year of age and, in some cases, start racing at just two years.

 

Decades ago, two-year-old racing was unheard of, but today, driven by the allure of prize winnings, racing underdeveloped horses at just two-year-old has become commonplace.

 

RSCPA Australia reveals, "The evidence indicates that low-grade injuries and disease occur at a high rate during the training and racing of two-year-olds in Australia, with 85% of horses reported as suffering at least one incident of injury or disease."

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Deaths on track

THE AWFUL TOLL

Deaths on Australian racetracks are common. So common, in fact, that in the past year, one horse has been killed on an Australian racetrack every 2.5 days.

The Coalition for Protection of Racehorses "Deathwatch 2022" report reveals that
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Catastrophic front limb injury was the leading cause, resulting in the death of 46 horses, followed by catastrophic rear limb injury (12 horses). Other deaths resulted from cardiac causes, massive bleeds, shoulder injury, pelvis injury, infection developed from injury, and severe neurological injury from head trauma. 53 horses died from unknown causes that include serious/catastrophic racing injury (13 horses), collapsed and died (15 horses), severe internal haemorrhage (1 horse), collapsed and euthanised (3 horses), hit the running rail (1 horse), fractured vertebrae or cerebral haemorrhage (1 horse).  No reason for death was given for the remaining 19 horses who died last year on Australian race tracks.

 

NSW recorded almost 40% of all on-track deaths, with 55 horses dying on NSW racetracks, followed closely by Victoria with 37 fatalities and QLD with 20.

Ten of the horses who lost their lives on Australian racetracks last year were only two years old when they died.

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It is worth noting that the actual number of deaths is likely much higher. With increased public scrutiny, injured horses are often removed from the track and killed later away from the track.  In doing this, the death is not required to be recorded in official steward reports from the race.

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No states record deaths that occur during training.

Tongue Ties

CRUEL AND UNREGULATED

In this practice, a horse's tongue is tied to their jaw, typically using nylon stockings, leather or elastic bands.

 

This practice is most commonly done to make the horse easier to control by preventing the horse from moving their tongue over the top of the bit or claiming that it helps to prevent the tongue from obscuring the airway during racing. Bit's work by applying pressure to a horse's tongue or roof of their mouth, making the horses more compliant. Horses move their tongue over the bit to avoid discomfort.

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“The restriction of blood flow by tongue tie use can cause the tongue to turn blue and can result in permanent tissue damage – and for what? The vast majority of horses do not need it and never get used to them.

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Trainers resort to using a tongue tie with the aim of boosting racing performance, but for the vast majority of horses this is an unnecessary and distressing intervention.” RSPCA Australia Chief Scientific and Strategy Officer, Dr Bidda Jones.

 

The use of tongue ties is an unregulated practice that is undertaken with no veterinary input. Trainers decide how tightly to apply the device, which can be left on for 20-30 minutes.

 

72% of Thoroughbred trainers and 85% of Standardbred (harness racing) trainers use tongue ties.  In 2018 Germany banned the use of tongue ties across all equestrian sports, and RSPCA Australia called for an end to the use of tongue ties.

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Wastage

BRED AND DISCARDED

Wastage is the term used for unwanted horses in the racing industry. Each year in Australia, 13,000-15,000 foals are bred into the racing industry.

 

28% (3,600-4,000 foals) don't make it as far as training, either suffering injury, death or being discarded as unsuitable.

 

Only around 30% of horses make it through training to actually race, but most are unsuccessful (40% will not earn any prize money at all). Only 2% of horses who make it through training to race earn enough to cover their costs.

 

Historically, horses are discarded from the racing industry after around 2-3 years (a horse's life expectancy is approximately 25-30 years). Those retained for breeding are similarly discarded once their breeding days are over. 

 

Whilst rehoming programs exist, these programs fail to account for the number of horses they rehome, where the horses are located to, and the horses well-being. An official retirement form has been developed, however, there is no review or scrutiny from the industry to ensure that this document is being completed, let alone whether any of the information on the form is correct.

Investigations reveal that thousands of thoroughbreds and standardbreds continue to end up at the sale yards, where they risk being purchased for dog meat.

Confinement

ISOLATED AND CONFINED

Horses are social animals who live as a herd and spend up to 16 hours grazing daily.

Conversely, horses in the racing industry are routinely confined for up to 22 hours a day during training.

 

This intense confinement has psychological impacts from isolation, as horses cannot interact with each other in a herd environment. 

 

Physical impacts include an increased risk of impaction colic, gastric ulcers (from high-concentration diets, reduced periods of eating and stress), and weakened bones.

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PULMONARY HAEMORRHAGE

PUSHED TO BURSTING POINT

Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage (EIPH) is an exercise-induced condition most racing thoroughbreds suffer. EIPH is where horses bleed into the lungs and airways, typically due to burst capillaries. Tiny blood vessels rupture due to the immense pressure of blood pumping throughout the body during strenuous exercise.

 

A study in the Equine Veterinary Journal found this lung hemorrhaging in 95% of horses checked during two post-race examinations. 
 

Halt Horse Racing

Our fun shouldn't come at the cost of another

Today there are so many ways to enjoy sports where the participants are willing participants and have the capacity to consent to the potential risks of racing. Quite simply, there are ways we can enjoy ourselves that don't require breeding animals, using them and then discarding them.

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Halt Horse Racing - There are many ways you can help horses in the racing industry. Spare horses facing risk of injury or death, and being discarded by the racing industry, by choosing to avoid horse racing, letting the sponsors of horse racing know how you feel, and letting your local member of parliament know why they should not be propping up this cruel industry with millions of tax-payer dollars.

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Kinder Options

Running

Human-based Sports

There are countless alternative forms of entertainment to embrace instead of supporting horse racing. Opting for human races, whether on foot, with motorbikes, or in cars, guarantees that all participants have consented to race and no animals endure suffering. It's a way to enjoy thrilling competition and entertainment without compromising the well-being of animals. Choosing these alternatives reflects a compassionate and responsible approach to entertainment that respects both human and animal welfare.

Make Cruelty
Ancient History

Looking for a fun and compassionate alternative to horse racing? The Compassionate Stakes T-Rex Races event in Canberra provides an exciting and cruelty-free entertainment option that stands in stark contrast to traditional greyhound racing. We firmly believe that a great time should never come at the expense of animals, and our event fully embodies this ethos. Participants get to race like T-Rexs, bringing a playful and exhilarating twist to the day. While horse racing raises ethical concerns, our T-Rex races offer a light-hearted and enjoyable experience for all, ensuring that entertainment and compassion go hand in hand.

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About Us >

Welcome to Compassion 2 Action Month: Empowering Change for Animals and the Planet.

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We're on a mission to ignite a movement of compassion and positive change. Our campaign is more than just a series of events; it's a call to action, a journey of discovery, and a chance to make a meaningful impact.

 

Compassion 2 Action Month isn't just about raising awareness; it's about empowering you to make a difference. Join us on this transformative journey and embrace the power of your choices. Together, we're redefining the way we interact with the world around us, putting compassion into action.

 

🙌 Join the Movement

Calling all compassionate hearts, your voice, your choices matter. This is your invitation to become a part of a community that's driving change. Let's rise together, fueled by empathy, guided by values, and united by action.

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Welcome to Compassion 2 Action Month, where change begins with you. 🌱🌎💚

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Compassion 2 Action Month is a Little Oak Sanctuary project.

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