We are so conditioned to seeing horses in bridles and saddles that its easy to think of it as natural. “They are born to run”, is a tag line we hear often. But if you dare to step outside of that paradigm, observe horses in the wild, and question tradition, you’ll realize that isn’t true. If anything, they are fed to run. Race horses have been selectively bred by humans after very careful consideration of conformation and performance. They have been chosen for the skeletal muscular system conducive to running racing venues and events we have created. Frequent confinement and “hot” feed is why they run. Nature created horses to wander open ranges and graze in familiar herds with complex social dynamics. If you haven’t witnessed one of the many wild horse herds managed in ten different states, my argument may be difficult to fathom. In a nutshell, the reality is that racing and all other equine sports that exist for our entertainment or prosperity is nothing less than blatant exploitation. I was a fairly avid recreational rider for over fifty years and cherish moments on the trail with my old buckskin quarter horse in Colorado’s front range. When considering any of a number of horse sport activities, simply ask yourself if the horse would chose to participate or opt for a turnout in a nice pasture with a few friends. Check out Horseracing Wrongs for alarming information on the horse racing industry.

Black and white photo of four racehorses with jockeys running on a dirt track during a horse race, with fences in the background.

Two racehorses with jockeys competing on a dirt racetrack, with spectators in the background.

A racehorse with a rider, jumping over hurdles on a race track.

Horse race with jockeys riding dark-colored horses on a dirt track, kicking up dust, with a white fence in the background.

A jockey riding a horse on a racetrack during a race.

A jockey riding a racehorse on a dirt track during a race.

A jockey wearing a green helmet, sunglasses, and a white and teal uniform riding a brown racehorse during a race.

Four jockeys riding racehorses during a race on a muddy track.

Jockey riding a brown horse during a horse race.

Three racehorses with jockeys running on a dirt racetrack, with a green rail in the background.

A jockey riding a brown horse during a race on a green racetrack.

A brown racehorse wearing a yellow saddle cloth with the number 4, galloping on a grassy racetrack with white railings and a green background.

Two horses racing on a dirt track, jockeys wearing colorful uniforms, one in green and the other in red, leaning forward during the race.

A jockey riding a racehorse on a dirt track during a horse race, with a digital scoreboard in the background.

A jockey riding a galloping horse on a racetrack during a race.

A man wearing a black shirt with a white design on the back, khaki shorts, gray shoes, and a gray cap, standing on a chair lift platform facing away, watching a large sign with a stylized lion made of red and yellow geometric shapes.

Blurred image of racehorses and jockeys racing on a track, with a grassy background.

A jockey riding a horse during a race, with a focused expression, wearing goggles and a cap, in black and white.

A man at a racetrack being assisted by two women, one holding his arm as they walk along the grass next to a white railing, with a bag on the ground nearby.