Horse races are thrilling, engaging spectacles that have stood the test of time. They are an integral part of our culture and history. However, the sport is currently struggling with declining popularity. This is largely due to scandals related to horse welfare and doping. As a result, many new would-be fans are being turned off by the sport.
Horse racing is a complex and nuanced sport that requires a great deal of skill and judgment from both riders and trainers. In order to succeed, horses must be trained to endure tremendous physical stress and perform under pressure. A single misstep can lead to catastrophic injuries and even death. Despite recent improvements in medical treatment and technological advances, horses continue to be pushed beyond their limits. Many are also administered cocktails of legal and illegal drugs designed to mask injuries and enhance performance. As a result, horses are routinely killed in races and in training.
Those that do survive face an uphill battle to remain competitive in an ever-evolving industry that is increasingly reliant on technology. These technologies include thermal imaging cameras to detect overheating, MRI scanners to identify minor or major health issues, and 3D printing to produce casts and splints for injured horses.
The modern horse race is a grueling contest that pits the world’s top thoroughbreds against one another over a distance of miles. The greatest showdowns are not just the result of a horse’s speed, endurance, or power but also its ability to leave all other competitors in its wake. For example, Secretariat’s record-setting 31-length Belmont win to land the Triple Crown captures individual equine brilliance like no other. Arkle’s dazzling romp to victory in the 1964 Gold Cup is another head-to-head triumph.
Horses are typically trained to run at an early age, before their skeletal systems have fully matured. This often leaves them unprepared for the exorbitant physical demands of a race. In addition, most racehorses are bred and entered to compete while their lungs are still developing, making them susceptible to exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). Despite improved medical care, the overwhelming majority of horses die from these types of injuries in races and in training.
The for-profit horse racing industry can no longer afford to ignore the deaths of Eight Belles and Medina Spirit. They must begin to acknowledge and take responsibility for the plight of all young racehorses. Horses are entitled to a life free from the stress and exploitation of racing. If we allow them to continue to die in such horrific and tragic circumstances, it is a detriment to our culture and society. It is time for all of us to stand up for the rights and safety of all racehorses. The horses of Eight Belles, Medina Spirit, Keepthename, Creative Plan, and Laoban deserve no less.