RSPCA Australia's Great & Small Talk

Animal welfare in horse racing

RSPCA Australia Season 3 Episode 8

For some Australians, a day at the races is a tradition, a national pastime for people to have a punt and watch their favourite horse race along the track in hope of that big win. 

But behind the celebratory air, is a dark side riddled with animal welfare issues.

From the oversupply of racehorses, questionable training techniques, the use of whips and the physical toll racing takes on the horses involved, it's an industry that is in urgent need of improvement.

The animal welfare science and the expectation of how we care for animals has moved considerably over the last two decades, as have the expectations of many in the community to do better for animals used in sport while the practice still continues.

Join our host Brian Daly along with Dr Suzie Fowler - Chief Science Officer at RSPCA Australia, and Dr Di Evans - Senior Scientific Officer at RSPCA Australia, to uncover the many layered issues of horseracing and what needs to change.