For me, the worst we humans do to animals is take away their autonomy, their freedom. Stick them in a cage, a crate, a tank, or, in the case of racehorses, a tiny 12×12 stall for the vast majority of their day(s). It is cruelty defined, all the more so for being done to social animals like horses. And, it is profoundly sad.
As part of an ongoing effort to educate the public, I have asked various equine experts to weigh in on confinement. Here are two more (past ones here).
“Having had horses in my life for six decades, I feel I am knowledgeable about the health risks and unnatural stresses that horses experience on a daily basis when kept stalled.
“Horses evolved to lead consistent, uncomplicated lives that include roaming freely in a herd and grazing most of the day. When kept confined to stalls, horses can experience an increase in ulcers, colic, and joint stiffness, as well as ‘undesirable behaviors.’ I can’t count the number of times vets have told me to turn one of my horses out in order to minimize the effects of arthritis since exercise increases circulation and joint lubrication, thereby managing pain and stiffness in arthritic horses.
“Pine Ridge Equine Hospital says this on turnout: ‘Turnout is essential for your horse’s health and well-being. Without adequate turnout time, your horse’s health could suffer.’
“Increasing turnout time offers these benefits:
“Improved Digestion: Left to their own devices, horses prefer to eat small amounts during the day. Their small stomach size makes grazing the ideal way to eat and also minimizes the risk of ulcers and colic.
“Better Leg and Hoof Health: Consistent movement all day keeps the joints and muscles in your horse’s legs strong and limber. According to a study published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, allowing horses access to a large pasture offers important fitness benefits. Horses in the full-time turnout group had greater bone density than other groups. Turnout also improves blood circulation, a crucial aspect of hoof health.
“A Happier Horse: Horses are most content when they have daily turnout time. If your horse spends too much time in a stall, she’s bound to become bored. Boredom can lead to a variety of bad habits, including obsessive pacing, cribbing, weaving, stall kicking, and wood chewing. Horses, as herd animals, are more likely to thrive when they have the opportunity to spend time with other horses.
“Fewer Illnesses: Stables are full of dust, mold, and other noxious substances. Stall confinement can increase the chances of colic, laminitis, heaves, and pneumonia.
“Of course, for those of us who have been around horses for decades, these facts are nothing new. Those who support confinement are perpetuating a false narrative with the intention of deceiving the public. I find it reprehensible that anyone who truly loves horses would buy into this propaganda.” – Mary Johnson
“My background with racehorses began in college at the University of Kentucky. While living in Lexington, I worked with yearlings at Spendthrift Farms, prepping for the auction sales in Kentucky and New York. Later, I was involved in several racing partnerships and raced at various tracks in California and Illinois. My racing involvement ended with the injury and retirement of my last horse. This is when I started to really understand the other side of racing – the not so regal side.
“One reason, among many, is the confinement of racehorses in a small space for a majority of their day. Horses are social animals; confinement for long periods of time – as at the racetrack – can lead to behavioral problems or injury, either in the stall or when they are ‘allowed’ to exercise.
“I have witnessed behavioral issues like cribbing, weaving, and pacing in the stall, even after they had been exercised. There is a reason all tracks have outriders during training hours. There is always the chance of a horse taking off out of control or throwing his rider and running aimlessly at full speed. I have witnessed both. Frightening and dangerous to say the least.
“In my opinion, a horse who has plenty of turnout time, will be a much happier and healthier horse. Unfortunately, most owners will not allow this to happen. They want a fast return on their investment; a ‘tight’ horse who is stalled/confined most of the day will be ready to run and win.” – Shawna O’Connor
I once saw a filly so scared at Santa Anita that she stood in the back corner if her stall and trembled to the point of breaking out in stress hives.
I watched helplessly from a a distance as they ran her into the ground for years on the California claiming circuit.
Eventually breaking down in a bottom level race at Los Alamitos.
The horse racing industry is a haven for the subset of pathological humans whose cognitive dissonance has no limits.
People who don’t care about what horses need to be healthy and happy but instead treat them like used cars to be parked in a garage-like confinement should be locked up in a jail cell.
This series is outstanding. Thank you for bringing together these many voices to explain what so many people never see. Confining a social, intelligent, athletic animal to a 12×12 stall for most of its life isn’t just a management practice, it has profound physical and psychological consequences. The testimony here makes that reality impossible to dismiss. I hope this series reaches far the racing community and beyond, because everyone should read it.