Wastage refers to the number of horses that are lost from the racing industry. Wastage can occur at any stage of the horse’s life, including prior to racing.
It is estimated that out of 1000 pregnancies in Thoroughbred Australian mares only 300 foals will actually race. Similar pre-racing wastage has been found in Standardbred horses (trotters and pacers).
Horses may be rejected from the racing industry due to poor performance, but also through illness or injury and behavioural problems.
Only a certain proportion of these surplus racehorses can be used by the equestrian industry or join breeding programs, which means that thousands of young and often healthy horses are sent to knackeries and abattoirs every year. Thus, the horsemeat industry represents a significant direct destination for a lot of these horses.
The RSPCA has funded two separate reports into wastage of horses: one examined the fate of horses leaving the Thorougbred and Standardbred industries and the other looked at the condition of slaughter horses. You can download these reports through the links below.
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