The author, a country and horse enthusiast, reflects on the divisive debate surrounding horse racing, emphasizing that ignorance on both sides hinders constructive discussions about improving horse welfare. While acknowledging that thoroughbreds are naturally bred to race and enjoy running, the author criticizes the industry’s treatment of horses—racing them too young, keeping them confined, and often discarding them after their careers, sometimes as dog food. The commodification and overbreeding of horses for profit lead to widespread “wastage,” with many horses either slaughtered or left unrecovered, highlighting systemic cruelty beyond the sport itself.

Drawing from personal experience retraining ex-racehorses, the author advocates for stricter regulations, such as raising the minimum racing age to four and imposing a tax on industry participants to fund rehabilitation and rehoming efforts. These pragmatic proposals align with calls from advocacy groups like the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses. The author also critiques the close ties between racing and gambling industries, particularly the rise of artificial CGI races designed solely to encourage betting, which undermines any genuine interest in the sport or animal welfare. Ultimately, the author hopes for a balanced approach that respects both the horses and the communities reliant on racing.