Overview
The world of horse racing—both at sanctioned tracks and unsanctioned “bush” tracks—is desperately in need of reform, as horses routinely break down on racetracks across the country, pushed to and beyond their physical limits.
For owners and trainers, a champion horse can mean big money and a place in the record books. As with any competitive enterprise, however, high stakes can push a will to win over the line into a will to win at any cost. Too often, single-minded pursuit of victory ends up running roughshod over the safety and well-being of the horses themselves.
Before passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) in 2020, horse racing in the United States operated under a patchwork of rules and regulations, governed inconsistently by the states with limited oversight for racetracks. Without comprehensive and consistent standards for racing, horse welfare suffered, and horses were subject to rampant “doping”—administration of drugs that mask pain and allow horses to push beyond normal physical limitations, often leading to catastrophic injuries.
AWI was instrumental in securing passage of the HISA—historic legislation aimed at cleaning up thoroughbred racing in the United States. Subsequently, AWI has pushed for the robust implementation of “anti-doping and medication control” regulations and racetrack safety rules. We submitted multiple regulatory comments to the Federal Trade Commission, which ultimately approved HISA’s proposed regulations (citing AWI’s comments in the order approving the anti-doping and medication control rule).
However, further reforms are still necessary to protect racehorses in the United States, including breeding and training reforms that place horses above profits. For racehorses leaving the track, responsible retirement options and industry-supported aftercare are essential. AWI leads the Homes for Horses Coalition, which includes many equine rescues and thoroughbred retraining organizations that help place horses in new homes.
AWI is staunchly opposed to unsanctioned horse racing at bush tracks, where equine cruelty, criminal activity, and biosecurity threats abound.
Take Action for Equines
Follow these links to take action on critical animal welfare issues and legislation.
Existing Policies in Equines
