A horse race is a form of competition between horses that takes place on a track. It can be a short sprint, or a long distance race. The winner is whoever crosses the finish line first. Typically, a jockey rides the horse.
In the horse racing industry, there are a variety of common practices that impact horses’ welfare. These include using a bit in the horse’s mouth, starting the race with a low level (claiming), and exercising horses on a regular basis. The goal is to produce fast, winning horses. However, these techniques may negatively affect the horses’ health and wellbeing. The idea of what is natural has particular significance in this context, influencing breeding regulations and the ways that horses are handled on race day and throughout their careers as thoroughbreds. This research aims to understand how key industry and animal advocacy informants conceptualise naturalness in the context of these racing practices. This was achieved by semi-structured interviews and photo elicitation. Four common images of thoroughbreds on race day were presented to the participants, and their responses were analysed.
The results of this study indicate that, for some industry and advocacy informants, the concept of naturalness is a useful way to rationalise racing practices that have potentially negative impacts on horses. For example, one informant argued that the use of a bit in the horse’s mouth is a ‘natural’ practice because it has always been done this way. Other informants, meanwhile, highlighted the physical pain that horses experience as a result of the bit and its effects on their teeth, but argued that this is ‘natural’ for a horse to be in pain.
A second important finding from this study is that, for some industry and advocacy informants, an emphasis on the economic value of the thoroughbred has shaped their views of the sport. These views, in turn, influence how people perceive the sport and its role in the broader equine industry. Consequently, these perceptions have implications for how the sport is perceived as exploitative.
While the equine industry has made strides in ensuring that race horses are well cared for, there is still much work to be done. Horse welfare has become a central issue for many racing authorities, and they have begun to implement stricter rules and regulations. In addition, technological advances – such as thermal imaging cameras, MRI scanners, and 3D printing – are helping to ensure that the health of horses is being protected both on and off the track. While horse racing will continue to hold on to storied traditions and captivate the public, it is imperative that it also looks forward to a future where the welfare of horses is at the forefront. This is essential in order to maintain the industry’s global appeal. It is only through the continued commitment of all stakeholders – from governments and racing bodies to breeders, owners, jockeys, and fans – that this can happen. This will allow the sport to continue to captivate the public and to live up to its enduring legacy of excellence.