The Well Being of Competitive Racehorses

There are many misconceptions regarding the treatment of racehorses in the UK. In fact, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has put in place many protective measures to monitor, inspect and manage the highest levels of care possible with regard to racehorses and their jockeys, trainers and others involved in with their upkeep.

Within the BHA Rules of Racing, the racehorse trainer is subject to the Animal Welfare Act which serves to safeguard the horse from instances that may result in injuries, disease, pain and/or suffering. This includes both the trainer and veterinary surgeon being required to ensure a horse is fit to participate before entering it in a race.

Everyone involved in the sport stands to benefit when a racehorse is well cared for and thus in better condition to compete. The racehorse trainer in particular knows well that there is no benefit to run a horse that is unwell, weak, or injured, and that taking such a risk would only endanger its health and impede future performance.

The BHA also inspects course surfaces to minimize injuries, reviews obstacles such as hurdles for safety, requires all courses to provide horse ambulances and equine veterinary surgeons for rapid treatment. Horses are tested prior to racing for the presence of any drugs that might increase performance or hide injuries or illness. When it comes to the use of a whip in horseracing, it is the policy of the BHA that veterinary officers inspect the horses following each race, and if any abuse or improper use involving a whip is determined, disciplinary action is to be taken against the rider.

The training which racehorses are put through is no more vigorous than the exercise they would receive in the wild. The more physically demanding challenge of jump racing is not put on the horse until it is at least 3 years old.

Animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA, SSPCA and WHW support the horse racing industry. Every attempt is made to prevent injury, repair fractures when possible, and reduce hazards that can result in fatalities. While there is still inherent risk involved, as with any sport, there are only about 2 deaths occurring for every thousand horses.

Regardless of speculation to the contrary, horseracing is not a cruel sport. The horse trainer, racehorse owner, breeder, jockey, veterinary doctors, and administrative staff are all invested, motivated, and committed to providing excellent care that creates stronger and healthier horses more capable of competing at their best with a reduced risk of unwanted injuries or illnesses.


If you have a real love for horseracing and want to have further involvement then racehorse trainers can provide you with the crucial next step. They will often have a quality selection of racehorses for sale.

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