The National Council of SPCA (NSPCA) has raised serious concerns about horse welfare in South Africa’s multi-million rand horseracing industry, accusing it of abuse, illegal harnessing, and racing horses too young to participate safely. In a recent meeting with the National Horseracing Authority (NHA), the NSPCA criticized the use of crops (short whips), tongue-ties, and the racing of two-year-old horses, arguing that current practices compromise equine welfare. The NSPCA demands stricter enforcement of animal protection laws, including criminal prosecution for violations, a ban on tongue-ties, and an end to racing horses before skeletal maturity, emphasizing that animal welfare must not be compromised for commercial interests.

In response, the NHA and industry stakeholders defended their practices, insisting they adhere to international welfare standards and that racehorses receive exceptional care. They argued that tools like tongue-ties are internationally recognized for safety and that the real welfare risks lie in unregulated informal racing outside their jurisdiction. Industry leaders stressed that the well-being of horses is central to the sport and questioned the NSPCA’s focus on horseracing when many other animals are in greater need of support. Despite this pushback, the NSPCA remains firm in its call for reform and stronger penalties to protect racehorses.