Our role

The state and territory member Societies provide services to animals in need through their shelters and inspectorates. In the national office, RSPCA Australia works to influence animal welfare policy, practice and legislation across the country
Go to Our role

Key issues

The RSPCA advocates for the welfare of animals across a number of industries, issues and platforms. Help from our supporters is important to progress change. Working together is key.
Go to Key issues
take action live sheep export alternate
Priority issue
Australia is closer than it has ever…
Live sheep export

Support us

Whether you're an individual or a business, there are multiple ways you can support the RSPCA
Go to Support us
An animal in the RSPCA care being cared for by an RSPCA vet
Donate now to support your local RSPCA and make a difference to animal welfare across Australia
Donate

About

The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
Go to About
about us national statistics
Read our National Statistics
Compiled on a national basis by RSPCA…
Annual statistics

Adopt

By choosing adoption, you’ll not only have the chance to make a friend for life, but you’ll be giving an animal a second chance and helping support the RSPCA.
Go to Adopt
adopt a pet logo
Visit the Adoptapet website
Make a difference to a pet’s life today.
Search Adoptapet
Horse racing

There are serious animal welfare issues with horse racing, spanning the entire lifecycle of the horses involved.

Subscribe

Stay updated for future developments on this key issue

Subscribe here

The issues

Oversupply and wastage

Thousands of horses are bred by the racing industry every year, with a decent portion of them never even making it to the racetrack. Horses may leave the industry at any stage of their lives, from foal right through to post career (which typically only lasts 2-3 short years) and these horses are labelled by the industry as ‘wastage’. The fate of thousands of horses leaving the industry every year raises serious concerns for their welfare, with many sold on again and again or sent to slaughter to be used for petfood.

Thoroughbreds that do manage a successful career do not necessarily fare any better. The exact destination and number of horses leaving the racing industry is unknown as accurate information is not always made available.

Painful devices

Whips are routinely used in horseracing, and they inflict pain, localised trauma and tissue damage. In the last 100 metres of a race there is no limit to how many times a horse can be whipped, despite the fact that this is when they are most fatigued and have the least capacity to respond. There’s no evidence that whipping a horse has any effect on how they perform, which makes the use of these devices and the suffering they cause completely unjustifiable.

Tongue ties and spurs are another two common types of equipment used on racehorses which cause discomfort and pain. Tongue ties are nylon or elastic cords wrapped tightly around the horse's tongue and tied to their lower jaw to keep their tongue from moving during a race, and can lead to permanent damage to this sensitive muscle. Spurs are small, spiked metal wheels attached to the jockey’s boots and exert a sharp pressure when the jockey squeezes or kicks their horse. Just like whips, there is no compelling evidence that the use of either of these are effective in anyway except to cause discomfort and possible injury to racehorses.

Increased risk of injury and death

Racehorses run an increased and unacceptable risk of injury and death during training, trials and races they’re forced to run throughout the year. Racing spans both the calendar and continent: over 19,000 thoroughbred races are held each year, and with every race a horse is at risk of external injuries such as torn ligaments, muscle injury or shattered bones, or internal injuries such is bleeding in the lungs or windpipe. These injuries can all cause pain and suffering with many leading to euthanasia due to poor chance of recovery. The exact number of injury and deaths of racehorses each year is not known as the industry does not provide collated statistics.

What needs to change

The RSPCA holds serious concerns about animal welfare in horse racing.

The RSPCA would like to see measures put in place to end the welfare issues inherent to the industry.

While horseracing continues, first and foremost, there is no reason for whips, tongue ties or spurs in racing, they serve no purpose except to cause stress and discomfort to horses and should be phased out. While we acknowledge Racing Victoria for taking the first step in reducing whips in racing to between five and eight occasions per race, further proactive progression across all states is needed.

The RSPCA advocates strongly for the racing industry to adopt responsible breeding practices by reducing the number of racehorses bred, minimising the risk of injury, for every horse to be provided a suitable role or home on retirement and methods in place to allow every racehorse to be traceable from birth to death to their welfare. For as long as horseracing continues, the racing industry has a responsibility to care and provide for the horses they breed, and ensure their welfare for their lifetime, not just during their racing career.

Explore related content and news

Subscribe

Stay updated for future developments on this key issue

Subscribe here
subscribe box

Stay informed on big issues and how you can help improve animal welfare across Australia.

Subscribe today and we’ll keep you updated on all the latest campaigns, events and news.