*Warning: the video above contains graphic footage

The racing industry refers to these horses as "wastage". Each year, about 15,000 racehorses are shot and killed -- most of them bought by meat buyers and turned into pet food.

This is what the footage we took during Melbourne Cup week exposed: beautiful racehorses were being hoarded into cages not much bigger than the size of their own bodies -- and shot in the head. Some lay twitching and struggling until a final shot by the handler killed them. 

Thousands of horses are slaughtered each year like this -- simply because they've lost their 'profitability.'

Our spring carnival is internationally renowned. The nation stops on Melbourne Cup day to watch these majestic animals perform. But it's just unconscionable that this industry tries to portray itself as loving animals. And Racing Victoria knows it -- they've even suggested in the past they might introduce an owners levy to fund a new horse welfare plan. 

It's time the racing industry honours the responsibility they have to look after every animal for its entire life, not just while they're profiting off its talents.

Please watch the video. Share it with your friends. And sign our petition urging the racing industry to immediately commit to a levy to fund a horse welfare plan. 

Tell Racing Victoria to commit to addressing this issue this racing season: 

https://www.facebook.com/racingvictoria?filter=2

https://twitter.com/racinginsider

(03) 9258 4258