Protecting equines | Humane World for Animals

Did you know?

Unfortunately, cruelty continues to be a persistent issue globally. Humane World for Animals is tackling the root causes of this cruelty to end it for good.

49%

reduction in horse deaths

in the first year of U.S. federal rules regulating performance-enhancing and pain-masking drugs in horse racing

92

$ million in economic benefits

from equine rescues and sanctuaries, showing that humane care and re-homing of at-risk horses helps animals and communities

1,000s

of American and Canadian horses

are sent to slaughter each year

A look inside the problem:

undercover photo of someone "soring" a horse to create an exaggerated and unnatural gait known as the “big lick."

Humane World for Animals

Soring creates an exaggerated and unnatural gait

Horse soring

Soring involves the intentional infliction of pain to a horse's legs or hooves which causes excruciating pain whenever the horse puts weight on the hoof. This results in the horse to walk in a very specific, exaggerated manner. Horse show judges continue to reward this "big lick" gait which encourages the cruel practice of soring to persist.

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American horses in pens ready to be transported for slaughter in Mexico

Kathy Milani/Humane World for Animals

American horses awaiting transportation to slaughter

Horse slaughter

Horses are slaughtered to satisfy demand from countries where raw horsemeat is considered a delicacy. The slaughter of horses is not only unnecessary and inhumane, but it is also harmful in many ways.

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Horse racing at River Downs track, Cincinnati, Ohio

Stan Rohrer/Alamy

Horse racing is cruel, dangerous and fuels a cycle of suffering

Horse racing

Horses used in racing are often treated with dangerous drugs to “enhance” their performance or mask pain caused by an injury. Thoroughbred racing industries often treat the suffering and death of horses as the cost of doing business.

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Chelsea Perez/Humane World for Animals

Foals separated from their mothers at auction

Horse auctions

Thousands of horses are auctioned each year, but few regulations are in place for horses. Addressing the issues within auctions is the first vital step toward ending the many abuses horses are subjected to.

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Petitions for change

Love horses and want to protect them? Here are some ways you can join the fight to end equine cruelty.

Related Petitions to Issue

End the export of live horses for slaughter

Horses are flown by air, crammed into wooden crates without water, food or rest.

Speak out to end cruel horse slaughter methods

Thousands of American equines are brutally slaughtered every year. Horses deserve a humane end of life.

Pass the PAST Act to end horse abuse

No horse should be made to suffer for a blue ribbon. Urge legislators to strengthen penalties for abuse.

Other Actions You Can Take

Horses, donkeys and mules are faithful companions and partners to humans in a variety of settings, but they are not always treated accordingly, with compassion and care. Humane World for Animals takes on some of the most egregious forms of cruelty to equines, including their cruel slaughter for human consumption and the abuse of horses in racing and competition.

Keith Dane, Senior Director of Equine Protection