As a former racing breeder and owner, who left horse racing in disgust and founded CANTER, the first racehorse rescue program in the country to remove racehorses directly from their stalls at the track, I can attest that horse racing is an unnecessary antiquated gambling industry that breeds horses simply to destroy them – one way or another.

Studies have shown that up to 90% of horses that suffer a break down had pre-existing injuries. With reference to horses racing with injuries, Dr. Tom David, formerly the chief veterinarian for the Louisiana Racing Commission stated to the New York Times: “This is just a recipe for disaster. Inflamed joints, muscles and mild lameness are masked by medication and therefore undetectable to the examining veterinarian.”

Horses die while racing? Dr. Rick Arthur, currently the equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board has stated: “It is hard to justify how many horses we go through. In humans, you never see someone snap their leg off running in the Olympics. But you see it in horse racing.”

From the New York Times, March 25, 2012:  “It’s hard to watch these poor animals running for their lives for people who couldn't really care less if they live” said Dr. Margaret Ohlinger, a track veterinarian at Finger Lakes Casino and Racetrack in upstate New York.

The large hats, the celebrity spottings at high-level races — those are props meant to disguise the real action— the vicious whipping, the rampant use of drugs, horrific injury and the death at the track for thousands  —yet even if they survive the racetrack,  the slaughterhouse remains the final finish line for the majority of racehorses. Thoroughbreds are the second highest breed sent to slaughter.  

 Please remember what these quotes represent, and join us in calling for an end to the unparalleled greed of this gambling industry that uses horses as if they are as disposable as cards or dice at a casino.

 Jo Anne Normile

Author of Saving Baby – How One Woman’s Love for a Racehorse Led to Her Redemption

 "Normile's...courage in exposing the dark underbelly of racing is reflected on every page....an engaging memoir that is a must-read for animal lovers." -Publishers Weekly

 A Reader’s Digest featured monthly book selection now available in paperback.