Horse Racing

The RSPCA is opposed to the use of whips for the purpose of enhancing performance in racing due to the pain and distress they inflict on horses. The RSPCA supports the introduction of hands-and-heels racing where whips are carried for safety purposes where proven necessary.

Jumps racing poses many welfare risks to racehorses which can result in significant pain, injury, distress and death. Thoroughbred jumps racing comprises either hurdle or steeple obstacles which are at least 1 metre in height.

Since 2009, all jockeys in Thoroughbred racing in Australia have been required to use a whip which is padded at the end, replacing conventional whips which have no padding, This change was introduced in response to concerns raised about the pain caused by the use of whips and the introduction…

The average age at which Thoroughbred horses commence racing is three years, but in Australia, some horses start their racing careers as two-year-olds.

This article provides a summary of the key problems associated with the horse racing industry that need to be resolved in order to protect the welfare of racehorses. For further information on these topics please follow the links at the end of the article.

Horse racing inherently poses significant risks to animal welfare. Racing horses in very hot weather places them at significant risk of dehydration and heat stress. However, there are no consistent rules that prohibit horse racing in Australia above a specific temperature.

A tongue tie is a large band (leather/rubber or lycra/neoprene) that is tightly wrapped around a horse’s tongue and then tied around the lower jaw to keep the tongue in place during training or racing.

Concerns regarding the use of whips in Thoroughbred racing have increased in recent years but there has been less focus on their use on standardbred horses for harness racing.