The Facts:

• Behind the glitz and glamour, fancy hats and designer dresses there is a dark side to horse racing.
• Horse racing is a lucrative industry that forces horses to perform for entertainment according to human rules and standards - all the while exploiting the horses for financial gain.
• Horses begin training (or are already racing) when their skeletal systems are still growing and are unprepared to handle the pressures of competitive racing on a hard track at high speeds.
• For years, horses have been bred to run fast. As a result, thoroughbreds have oversized frames and undersized legs so serious injuries on the race track are common.
• Common injuries include exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (blood in the horse’s lungs and windpipe), lameness, knee fractures, ligament sprains, joint sprains, shin soreness and hairline fractures.
• Horses are often made dependent on the drugs that their veterinarians and trainers provide.
• Many horses are raced so often that their joints and bones deteriorate unnaturally.
• At retirement and when the horses lose their value, they are often used for bush racing or they are slaughtered for dog food and for glue production.  Very few are retired to a life of luxury.

How you can help:

• Boycott horse races by not attending the races and not placing bets.
• Be an advocate for animals. Educate your family and friends about the cruelty involved in horse racing.
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