Following the closure of both B.C.’s active horse racing tracks in 2025, another racecourse in Ontario has announced an end to its horse racing program.
“The Rideau Carleton Raceway is shutting down its horse racing program, the raceway’s operators say.”
The closures come as a result of waning public support and declining revenues, which have been making the industry unsustainable at various locations. Though these horses will move to other racing venues in Ontario, the closure signals a hopeful shift in public attitudes around the use of animals in risky sporting events.
Horse racing poses serious welfare concerns due to:
- Common incidents of injury and death for horses;
- Issues with selective breeding—thoroughbred horses are often overbred for speed rather than skeletal strength, making their legs susceptible to fatal injury;
- Young starts to horses’ short racing careers, which puts them at high risk and can cause early decline;
- Aversive training methods and uncomfortable equipment, like whips and tight bits, which can cause stress and pain.
These welfare concerns put horses at risk of an uncertain future, as do the track closures that result from declining revenues and public support. As such, industry professionals should transition away from breeding new animals into an unstable future and plan for a compassionate retirement for horses who may be impacted by closures.
Watch, read, or listen to a recent VHS interview on CBC Radio to learn more about what a compassionate retirement for horses would look like.