Horse racing has been garnering a lot of well deserved negative attention in the last year. In just two months, over 20 horses died at Santa Anita Racetrack in California last year. Then when there were more than 30 deaths there in the span of just a few months, the Breeder’s Cup was still hosted there. Recently, two horses died in just one week at Laurel Race Track bringing the total of horse racing deaths in Maryland to 14 in 2019. Sadly, the deaths just keep racking up, proving why this cruel sport needs to be banned. In just six racing days (ten calendar days), four horses were euthanized at the New Orleans Fairgrounds Race Course.

The deaths were documented by Horseracing Wrongs who have long been advocating for the end of horse racing. The horses’ names are J Rob, Big Shanty, Jim’s Silverbullet, and Take Charge Cece. They were euthanized respectively on the 9th, 11th, 16th, and 17th.

Trent Dang, Director of Marketing for the Fair Grounds told WNGO that the deaths were “unfortunate and most unusual,” but wouldn’t elaborate. But these deaths aren’t unusual in this sport as can be seen by the insane amount of horse deaths in the sport brought to the spotlight by the Santa Anita controversy.

According to Marty Irby, Executive Director of Animal Wellness Action, Louisiana has actually been a stumbling block to anti-doping reform. But given this many deaths in such few days, hopefully things will change. Doping being banned would be a good first step, but ideally horse racing needs to be banned entirely.

Race horses are not only often drugged with dangerous performance enhancers, but they’re bred to have dangerous bodies — skinny legs to carry 1,000 pound bodies for speed. Training is also grueling. Then when they’re no longer “useful,” they’re sent to slaughter.

Sign this petition calling for an end to horse racing and horse jumping.

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Also, don’t forget to download the Food Monster App on iTunes — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy!

Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!