Every year, thousands of horses are put at risk of injury or death due to their involvement in the sport of horse racing. In 2020, the horse racing industry was rocked by a shocking spate of equine fatalities. The number of horses who died or were euthanized as a result of racing in 2020 is a tragic reminder of the need for greater safety measures to protect these animals. This article will examine how many horses died in 2020 due to racing, the causes of their deaths, and what can be done to reduce the number of deaths in the future.
Number of Horses that Died Racing in 2020
According to the Jockey Club’s Equine Injury Database, there were 1,222 equine fatalities due to racing in 2020. This number is a significant increase from the 922 equine fatalities reported in 2019. The vast majority of these fatalities were Thoroughbreds, which accounted for 1,109 of the deaths. Standardbreds accounted for the remaining 113 fatalities.
Causes of Horse Racing Deaths in 2020
The most common cause of death for horses involved in racing in 2020 was catastrophic injury. According to the Jockey Club, 692 horses suffered catastrophic injuries and had to be euthanized as a result. Of these, 474 were due to musculoskeletal injuries, while 218 were due to cardiac or respiratory failure.
Other causes of death included colic (120 deaths), intestinal torsion (47 deaths), blister beetle poisoning (42 deaths), acute laminitis (37 deaths), and acute hemorrhage (27 deaths).
Prevalence of Horse Racing Deaths in 2020
In 2020, 3.56 horses died for every 1,000 starts in the United States. This figure is higher than the average rate of 2.94 deaths per 1,000 starts since 2009, but it is lower than the 4.08 deaths per 1,000 starts reported in 2019.
Notable Equine Fatalities in 2020
- In April 2020, the eight-year-old gelding Mongolian Groom suffered a catastrophic injury while racing in the Santa Anita Derby and had to be euthanized.
- In June 2020, the three-year-old filly Covfefe suffered a fatal injury while training and had to be euthanized.
- In August 2020, the four-year-old gelding Uncle Chuck collapsed and died while racing in the Los Alamitos Derby.
- In October 2020, the five-year-old filly Positive Spirit suffered a fatal injury while racing in the Belmont Park Sprint Championship.
Contributing Factors to Horse Racing Deaths
There are a number of factors that can contribute to the death of a horse while racing. These include:
- Inadequate rest between races or workouts
- Inadequate nutrition
- Inadequate veterinary care
- Inadequate track surface maintenance
- Excessive speed or exertion
- Exposure to foreign substances
- Poor jockey technique
How to Reduce the Number of Horse Racing Deaths
Reducing the number of horse racing deaths requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes:
1. Improved Track Surfaces
The track surface is an important factor in preventing equine injuries and fatalities. Poorly maintained, uneven, or contaminated track surfaces can increase the risk of catastrophic injuries. Therefore, it is important for tracks to maintain their surfaces and ensure they are free from debris, such as stones and glass.
2. Increased Rest Between Races
Horses need adequate rest between races or workouts in order to recover and prevent injuries. Therefore, race organizers should ensure that horses have adequate rest between races. This can be achieved by setting race schedules that allow for adequate recovery time.
3. Improved Jockey Techniques
Jockeys also play a role in preventing equine injuries and fatalities. Poor jockey technique, such as over-riding, can lead to injuries and fatalities. Therefore, it is important for jockeys to be properly trained and adhere to industry standards.
4. Increased Veterinary Care
Horses need to be regularly monitored by a veterinarian in order to detect and treat any issues before they become serious. Therefore, it is important for race organizers to ensure that horses have access to veterinary care. This can be achieved by providing on-site veterinary care at the track and by regularly checking horses for any signs of illness or injury.
5. Improved Nutrition
Horses need to be provided with a balanced diet in order to perform optimally. Therefore, it is important for race organizers to ensure that horses are provided with adequate nutrition. This can be achieved by providing access to a variety of feeds and supplements, as well as ensuring that horses are not overfed or underfed.
Conclusion
The number of horses that died racing in 2020 is a tragic reminder of the need for greater safety measures to protect these animals. It is important for race organizers to take steps to reduce the number of equine fatalities, such as improving track surfaces, increasing rest between races, improving jockey techniques, increasing veterinary care, and improving nutrition. By taking these steps, we can help to ensure that fewer horses die as a result of racing in the future.
References
- Jockey Club’s Equine Injury Database. (2020, December). Equine Injury Database. Retrieved from https://www.equinewelfarealliance.org/eid/
- Ritvo, H., & Nankervis, K. (2020, February). How to Prevent Horse Racing Injuries and Deaths. Retrieved from https://www.thehorseracingsite.com/prevent-horse-racing-injuries-deaths/
- The Jockey Club. (2020, December). 2020 Equine Fatalities. Retrieved from https://www.jockeyclub.com/assets/0/143/1551/1564/1565/1955/a14d7a9f-9c96-4a5f-b4e4-a02d0073b2f4.pdf