Equines

We champion a higher standard of well-being for all equines. From horse racing to slaughter, equines deserve safety from these inhumane practices.

equines

  • Historically, horses have played a vital role in all aspects of society, from tiling farmland to transporting goods and people across treacherous terrain. As our world has progressed, the role of horses has evolved with it. The rising popularity of horse racing further cemented the use of equines in the entertainment industry. However, this lucrative business prioritizes profits over the well-being of horses. According to the American Gaming Association's annual report, the American sports betting industry posted a record of $13.71 billion in 2024 revenue, up from 2023's record of $11.04 billion. More and more states are allowing online sports betting, contributing to the surge in American sports betting.

    Thoroughbreds are given drugs to enhance performance and mask pain. Another example is Tennessee Walking Horse being “sored”—intentionally put in pain to “enhance” their high-stepping gait. These practices are inhumane and unethical. The outward appearance of horses is never more important than the health of these animals. 

    The ruthless horse racing industry prioritizes breeding purebreds over the well-being of horses. This is seen through impregnating common horses to produce milk for racing foals, so that the purebred mother can be transported away for a subsequent breeding. While the nurse mare raises the racing foal, her own baby foal is cast aside. Many of these non-purebred foals are then transported for slaughter.

    The underground horse slaughter market is a cruel practice. The USDA documented that 92.3% of horses sent to slaughter are in good condition and can live productive lives. These horses would be sold, donated, or otherwise rehomed; however, kill buyers outbid legitimate horse owners and rescues at auctions, robbing horses of ever having a second chance at life. In 2023, more than 20,000 horses were shipped to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada in crowded trucks without food, water, or rest.

    Moreover, the horse racing to slaughter pipeline is extremely dangerous to consumers. Race horses are commonly treated with an anti-inflammatory drug called phenylbutazone (nicknamed bute), which can be lethal if ingested by people. The most serious impact of bute on humans is bone-marrow toxicity, leading to agranulocytosis (failure to produce white blood cells, causing chronic infections) and aplastic anemia (insufficient production of red and white blood cells and platelets). In addition, the National Toxicology Program has determined that bute is a carcinogen. For these reasons, the FDA has banned this substance from being consumed by humans. With thousands of ex-race horses being slaughtered each year, the probability of bute entering the food supply increases. 

    Wild horses are an iconic symbol of Western Americana. The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 sought to protect these wild populations from hunting, branding, and capture. Despite these protections, external pressures have led to more and more wild horses being relocated to holding facilities for the rest of their lives. One of the primary forms of relocation is helicopter round-ups, often resulting in injuries or fatalities to wild horses. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has spent more than $25 million in taxpayer dollars since fiscal year 2017 on helicopter roundups. Keeping wild populations of horses and burros is vital to maintaining a thriving ecological environment. 

    Horse-drawn carriages are popular tourist attractions. The hard, paved roads are tough on the horses’ hooves, even with proper routine care. Horses require time in soft pastures to avoid damage and facilitate circulation within the hoof. In addition, these urban environments expose horses to air pollution, loud noises, and harsh weather conditions. In 2021, the Chicago City Council banned horse-drawn carriages. We need more compassionate leaders to protect working horses from cruelty. An alternative to horse-drawn carriages are electric carriages, powered by clean energy sources. Some American cities have already adopted this humane solution including Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), Mount Dora (Florida), and San Antonio (Texas).

  • In September 2025, The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) published “Farmed Animals in Transport: The Twenty-Eight Hour Law.” The report presents the findings of an extensive review of the federal government’s enforcement of the Twenty-Eight Hour Law, which “generally prohibits interstate transport of certain farmed animals for more than 28 consecutive hours without unloading the animals for feeding, water, and rest.” In the report, “AWI concluded that the law is rarely enforced, due to an inadequate monitoring system and a lack of statutory and regulatory clarity about which departments should enforce the law.” The report’s findings include that “millions of animals are transported interstate each year, and virtually none of these shipments are monitored for violations of the Twenty-Eight Hour Law.”

    The unfortunate reality is that many laws aimed to keep animal safe are not enforced. Write to your legislators to urge implementation of existing animal welfare laws using our action alerts!

    Past legislation aimed to enhance the protections for equines:

    The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) — historic legislation enacted in 2020 aimed to clean up thoroughbred racing in the United States.

    Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 (WFHBA) – protects wild horses and burros on federal lands from hunting or capture. The Act also mandates management plans to maintain ecological balance and protect the range from overpopulation.

  • Boycott Horse Betting

    • Spend your money on other forms of entertainment. Every dollar spent on horse betting further incentivises these unethical animal practices. Choose to support organizations that reflect your personal values.

    Advocate for Legislation that Prioritizes the Health of Horses

    • Write to your U.S. Congress members right now, and urge them to support current equine legislation using the pre-written letters on our action alerts page. 

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