Horse Racing: A Dangerous Sport for Horses

Horse racing is a multibillion dollar industry that takes place year long in America. This popular and moneymaking entertainment supports the abuse and exploitation of horses. On average, according to NPR, 24 horses die a week from horse racing related injuries. Many horses are pumped with drugs to improve their "game" and because of this, it is extremely hard for vets to detect injuries and often allow injured horses to race. The New York Times launched a months wide investigation on the horse racing industry and found there is a direct correlation between the increasing drug use and the increasing horse injuries.

With limited oversight and penalties on drug use and animals in the horse race industry, it is very upsetting to find horse injuries so common and unnoticed by the public eye. Some animal rights activists state that horses as young as three years old are forced into racing. Young horses' bones are barely strong enough to support such rigorous and arduous training and racing. I find any animal used in entertainment extremely disturbing, but what I find more disturbing are the individuals who watch and support these cruel practices.

What are your thoughts?


Sources:
http://animalrights.about.com/od/animalsinentertainment/a/Horse-Racing-And-Animal-Rights-Whats-Wrong-With-Horse-Racing.htm
http://www.npr.org/2012/05/10/152363564/horse-racing-americas-most-dangerous-game
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/us/death-and-disarray-at-americas-racetracks.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0