Special Issue of Horse Racing Magazine
Horse racing is an exciting, social event that is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. This sport requires immense athleticism, skill, and training in order to succeed. While the sport continues to evolve, the industry must keep its focus on the well-being of horses in order to maintain its social license to operate. Several recent, high-profile deaths have prompted an important discussion on the topic of equine welfare in horse racing and have called into question the viability of this sport. Despite these challenges, many race fans continue to support the industry through their donations. However, these contributions do not cancel out the ongoing, often deadly exploitation of younger runners who are eager to become champions in their own right.
This special issue features a collection of articles that highlight the importance of animal welfare in horse racing, and the need for the industry to continue improving conditions for its athletes. The articles included in this Special Issue are written by prominent and respected experts who provide insight into how the industry can better ensure the health, safety, and welfare of its horses.
The article, “What Happens when an industry fails to take care of its own?” discusses the need for a holistic approach to horse racing in which all stakeholders, from the racetrack owner to the jockey, work together to improve conditions for horses in this sport. The article also highlights the importance of transparency in this sport, which has never been a priority and remains a problem in this industry.
This is an incredibly important article that should be read by anyone who loves horse races, or supports them financially, as it illustrates how far horse racing still has to go to become more humane. The author, Laura Ohorilko, is a journalist who has worked to promote equine welfare and responsible gambling in horse racing. She has written extensively about the issues facing the horse racing industry, including her acclaimed book, “Boys on Top”, which is available from Audible and Penguin Books. Laura is also the founder and editor of The Jockeys’ Voice, an online magazine that focuses on the equine sports industry and the plight of its athletes. Follow her on Twitter: @thejockeysvoice. Laura’s articles have appeared in a variety of national and international media outlets, including the New York Times, Forbes, The Daily Beast, HuffPost, and Time. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and has previously worked in political communications. She is currently based in Washington, DC, where she is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Laura is also a member of the board of directors at The ASPCA and is on the executive committee of the Humane Society’s Equine Welfare Task Force. She is the co-founder of The ASPCA’s Equine Advocacy Network, and has spoken at numerous national conferences on the topics of humane slaughter, equine welfare, and responsible gambling. She is the proud mother of two young daughters.