I am writing to you about the horrific abuse in the racing and equine industry. While many people believe horse-racing is a harmless pursuit, this could not be further from the truth. Every year, innocent animals suffer for the entertainment of crowds. This is not right; this is why: 
First, there is the Kentucky Derby, where you are expected to abuse the horse to make it run faster. On top of this you are expected to use a taser to make the horse run yet faster again. This is only the beginning; there are too many horses being drugged to enhance performance and forget pain and injuries. The two—minute sport of equine racing is one of the deadliest, for over a thousand of the “athletes” die every year. This is not including the thoroughbreds that never see a race. 
Twenty thousand foals are bred each year to race in the Kentucky Derby. Only 20 horses or 0.001% of each foal crop will ever get the chance to run for the roses. While the other 99.999%, will go to the slaughterhouse: these horses were born to die. Very few of these horses are saved. After going to the slaughterhouse, the horse meat is sold illegally on the black market at a high price. This is unethical and disrespectful to the horses that were killed unreasonably. Even after death the horse’s misfortune does not end. Even those that live only have a racing life of 2-3 years, normally ending with a deadly injury, where they must be put down. The lucky few who live to see a retirement, will have traumatic racing experiences and may not be able to adjust to a restful life, and may not be able to ride again. They often live in fear of people, this can cause many problems, especially if they get stressed enough to run, buck, and kick the owners; whether by mistake or not, they must be put down. This makes me wonder whether any racehorse has a happy or peaceful life. I know a wonderful ex-racehorse called Ali, she is very tame, but she fears anyone touching her face, she is reluctant to take apples from people directly and finds it difficult to get tacked up. We know her previous owners were going to put her down, because she was not winning any races. She had her ears twisted every time she was too slow, and she bears scars from being whipped with the stick too hard. Due to the kindness of my yard owner Debbie (owner of Bridge Farm Riding School), she is still ridden and enjoys being groomed, she has been at the yard for around 4 years and is still adjusting to her new life. Unfortunately, it is exceedingly rare that ex-racehorses get rescued.  
The drugged cocktails that riders give their horses complicates matters further. These cocktails contain steroids to make the horses faster, as well as analgesics [painkillers] to allow the animals to compete even when in agony. This makes them more vulnerable to the sort of catastrophic injuries that killed the Eight Belles at the 2008 Kentucky Derby, and a further three horses on US tracks every day. Nehro, the second-place finisher at the 2011 Kentucky Derby, was forced to run and train on extremely painful, deteriorating hooves—one of which was held together with superglue. Nehro died at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day in 2013. Isn't this experience alone enough to act? If we do not act now, this continual disposal of life will continue, we cannot allow this to happen. Many say “life should be valued; not taken for granted”: every one of these people contradicts themselves when it comes to animal life. The lives of these innocent horses are destroyed with an attitude of indefatigability. 
When horses are no longer useful, the owners discard them. Every year, as many as 15,000 thoroughbreds are crowded onto trucks for long and terrifying journeys to Mexico and Canada. Their journeys end in fast food restaurants. What if this did not happen? Would they be allowed to live a content life? Would people respect them as much as I and few others do? Many would say they already lead this life, without a second thought. But I and few others who understand what truly goes on in this industry, seek the truth about the horrors that go on behind the scenes. We seek change! We seek the respect of horses! We must act now before more unreasonable death happens in the industry. Stand with me if you demand the respect for horses and life!

we must stop breeding horses to die! The Kentucky Derby breeds over 19,000 foals every year to die. We must stop this.

If we succeed horses will be respected