Damon Mcknight
Horse racing is a popular sport in Australia, with many people betting on races and attending events. However, there is growing concern about the welfare of the horses involved. Animal welfare organisations have described horse racing as a 'cruel' industry, citing issues such as the use of whips, tongue ties, and the culling of horses that are no longer competitive (wastage). There have also been reports of mass slaughter and horses suffering horrific injuries and deaths on the track. With these concerns in mind, should horse racing be banned in Australia?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cruel treatment of horses | Whipping, tongue ties, isolation, culling of uncompetitive horses, harsh training regimes |
| Horse deaths | At least 139 horses died on Australian racetracks between August 2021 and July 2022 |
| Gambling | Australians lose more money gambling per capita than anyone else in the world |
| Lack of transparency | No accurate lifetime traceability system for racehorses, making it difficult to know what happens to discarded horses |
| Self-regulation | The horse racing industry largely governs itself in terms of animal welfare, despite growing public concern about cruelty |
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What You'll Learn
Cruelty and harm inflicted on horses
Horse racing in Australia has been criticised for the cruelty and harm inflicted on horses. The industry has been described as "animal suffering for human entertainment". There are several ways in which racehorses are subjected to harm and cruelty.
Firstly, the use of whips is prevalent in horse racing. Whips are used to strike horses during races, inflicting pain and causing potential injury. While rules dictate the type and number of strikes allowed with a whip, there is no limit on the number of times a horse can be hit in the last 100 metres of a race. The practice of whipping has been described as "the most public form of violence to animals in Australia today". Despite this, an RSPCA-commissioned review found that whipping does not even make horses run faster.
Secondly, the isolation and confinement that racehorses are subjected to can lead to stress and frustration. Horses are social, plains-ranging animals, yet they are often housed alone and in close quarters. This can result in stereotypical behaviour, such as crib-biting and weaving, which are abnormal and repetitive behaviours stemming from inhibited natural impulses.
The practice of tongue-tying is also common in the industry. Tongue ties involve wrapping nylon or elastic tightly around a horse's tongue and tying it to the lower jaw to prevent the tongue from getting over the bit during a race. This causes pain, anxiety, distress, and can lead to permanent tissue damage due to restricted blood flow. Despite welfare concerns, the practice is unregulated and widely used.
Furthermore, the fate of horses that do not meet the industry's standards or are no longer profitable is grim. The term "wastage" refers to the culling or discarding of these horses, which can occur due to poor performance, illness, injury, or behavioural issues. While the exact fate of these horses is unknown due to a lack of transparency, investigations have revealed the widespread slaughter of racehorses in Australia. Horses that do not make it to the track or are retired from racing are often sold at auctions for a fraction of their value and may end up in slaughterhouses.
The cruelty and harm inflicted on horses in the Australian racing industry have sparked growing public concern. With horses suffering physical and mental trauma, there are calls for a boycott of horse racing events to end this cruel sport.
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Horse whipping
Whips have long been used in Australian horse racing, with jockeys traditionally relying on them to encourage speed, steer their horses, and ensure safety. However, public opinion is shifting, and there is growing concern about the welfare of racehorses. An independent survey commissioned by RSPCA Australia found that 75% of respondents opposed the use of whips in horse racing, and 87% of those who watched or bet on horse racing said they would continue to do so even if whipping was banned.
The use of whips in Thoroughbred racing in Australia is governed by Racing Australia's Rules of Racing, which allow for a specific type of padded whip to be used. These rules set a limit of five whip strikes prior to the final stage of a race but impose no limit on the number of times a horse can be struck during the last 100 meters. Additionally, horses can be slapped down the shoulder with the whip an unlimited number of times, provided the jockey's hand remains on the reins.
However, research has indicated that whipping may do more harm than good. Studies have found no measurable improvement in race performance or finishing times when whips are used, and horses may even accelerate more in races without whips. Repeated whipping can also desensitize horses over time, reducing the tool's effectiveness. Furthermore, whipping has been associated with stress and fatigue in horses, which can negatively impact their performance and increase the risk of falls and fractures.
The issue of horse whipping in Australian racing is complex and multifaceted, balancing long-held traditions with ethical considerations and scientific evidence. While some argue for the continuation of whipping as a necessary aspect of the sport, others call for its ban to protect the welfare of racehorses and prevent unnecessary suffering.
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Horse tongue ties
A tongue tie is a piece of equipment used to prevent a horse from getting its tongue over the bit, which would make the animal harder to control. It is usually made of nylon, elastic, leather, or rubber, and is looped around the horse's tongue, then tied below the chin. Tongue ties have been used since the 18th century, but have only come under scrutiny in recent years.
The use of tongue ties is controversial. They are illegal in most horse show disciplines, but common in horse racing. While tongue ties may prevent 'choking' in a small proportion of horses, the mechanism by which they do so is unclear, and they have no beneficial effect on most horses. There is also no evidence that they improve upper airway function. In fact, research has shown that tongue ties do not restrict a horse's breathing or improve respiratory function.
Some trainers use tongue ties because the horse is difficult to control, or because they believe it will improve the horse's breathing. However, equine behaviorists argue that the need for a tongue tie indicates a deeper underlying issue, and that the tongue tie itself is a mere crutch that does not solve the problem. The RSPCA, along with other animal welfare organisations, advocates for the cessation of the use of tongue ties, citing potential for tissue damage, frostbite, and other welfare issues. In some countries, the use of tongue ties is restricted or banned.
In Australia, the use of tongue ties is widespread, with 72% of trainers in Thoroughbred racing using them, and over 30% of horses having worn one in at least one race. Once a horse has worn a tongue tie, it is used in 84% of their subsequent races. The use of tongue ties is higher in jumps races (45%) than in flat races (32%). There is no regulation of tongue ties in Australia, and no veterinary input is required before or after their use.
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Horse slaughter
The slaughter of horses is currently legal in Australia, and is governed by the national standards that cover all animal slaughter. However, the practice has been the subject of widespread controversy and public debate in recent years, with animal welfare groups and the general public expressing outrage over the alleged cruel treatment and slaughter of retired racehorses.
In 2019, an ABC 7.30 investigation brought to light disturbing footage of animal cruelty and torture on a large scale, revealing that thousands of Australian racehorses were being sent to slaughterhouses. The investigation specifically exposed the Meramist abattoir in Caboolture, Queensland, where horses were shown being shocked with electric prods, hit, and kicked before slaughter. This led to widespread condemnation and calls for an inquiry into the horse racing and slaughter industry.
The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses estimated that about 4,000 thoroughbreds were slaughtered at Meramist alone each year. However, Racing Australia maintains that less than 1% of retired racehorses go to slaughter, and another 1% are sent to livestock sales. They acknowledge the need for a national register to track the fate of retired racehorses, as currently, there is no accurate or transparent lifetime traceability system for these horses.
The public outcry and subsequent inquiry have prompted some changes within the industry. For example, the Samex abattoir in Peterborough, South Australia, has stopped butchering horses. Additionally, Racing Australia, Racing Victoria, and Racing NSW have implemented policies to rehome retired racehorses as pony club horses, saddle horses, and equestrian jumpers. They have also vowed to prosecute anyone found to have mistreated their animals.
Despite these efforts, the horse slaughter debate in Australia remains ongoing, with ongoing concerns about the treatment and fate of retired racehorses, as well as the lack of transparency and accountability within the industry.
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Gambling
Horse racing in Australia is a controversial topic due to various factors, one of which is the impact of gambling. Betting on horse races may seem harmless, but it has significant negative consequences.
Firstly, gambling is a key driver of the horse racing industry, which has been criticised for its treatment of animals. The industry is accused of subjecting horses to harsh training regimes, physical and mental trauma, and cruel housing conditions. The horses are isolated, confined, and prevented from engaging in natural behaviours, leading to stress and frustration. The industry's focus on profits contributes to the issue of "wastage," where thousands of horses that don't meet performance standards or reach the end of their short racing careers are discarded, sold for slaughter, or abandoned.
Secondly, gambling itself can have detrimental effects on individuals and communities. Australians lose more money gambling per capita than anyone else in the world. While fortunes can be won on race days, they can also be lost, impacting the financial stability of individuals and families. This can lead to personal and societal issues such as debt, addiction, and mental health problems.
The normalisation of gambling in horse racing also contributes to a culture of risk-taking and speculation. It encourages people to view races as opportunities for financial gain rather than solely as sporting events, potentially leading to irresponsible betting behaviours.
Additionally, the link between gambling and horse racing can distort people's perceptions of the industry's ethics. The allure of potential winnings may cause people to overlook the suffering of horses and the questionable practices within the industry. This enables the continuation of unethical treatment of animals and the prioritisation of profits over welfare.
In conclusion, while gambling is a significant aspect of horse racing in Australia, it contributes to a range of social and ethical issues. The negative impacts of gambling on individuals and communities, coupled with its role in sustaining an industry accused of animal cruelty, are reasons for concern. Addressing these concerns may involve increased regulation of the horse racing industry, promoting responsible gambling practices, and raising awareness about the welfare of racehorses.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why horse racing in Australia is considered cruel. Firstly, whipping is used to enhance performance, inflicting pain and causing potential injury to the horses. Tongue ties, a piece of nylon or elastic tightly wrapped around the horse's tongue, cause pain, anxiety, distress, and can even result in permanent tissue damage. Horses are also subjected to harsh training regimes and isolated housing conditions, leading to frustration, stress, and inhibition of natural behaviour. Furthermore, the fate of "wastage" horses, which are discarded by the industry due to poor performance or other factors, is often unknown, with some ending up in slaughterhouses.
"Wastage" refers to the practice of discarding horses that are no longer considered useful to the racing industry. This can include horses that do not perform well enough, or those that are affected by illness, injury, or behavioural issues. Thousands of thoroughbred horses are bred each year, but many never make it to the racetrack or have short racing careers. These discarded horses often end up at auctions, selling for a fraction of their value, and their ultimate fate is often unclear.
Instead of supporting horse racing, people can choose to boycott these events and refuse to bet on races. By pledging to make animal-friendly choices and creating awareness about the cruelty involved, individuals can help create a kinder future for horses.
Banning horse racing in Australia would address the physical and mental trauma inflicted on these animals. It would also curb the unnecessary suffering and deaths of horses on the racetrack or as a result of being discarded by the industry. Additionally, it could reduce the impact of excessive gambling, as Australia has the highest gambling losses per capita worldwide.
