Victory for Racehorses!

October 2008

Following months of pressure from PETA and our supporters, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has enacted two new regulations to lessen the suffering of racehorses. On September 22, the commission voted to ban harness racing snappers–whips with flails on the end that cause welts–as well as a practice called side whipping, in which the driver holds the reins in one hand, leans to the side, and whips the horse with the other hand. This comes just two weeks after the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission banned the use of anabolic steroids–the drugs given to Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown–for all racehorses and just four days after the use of steroids was banned in Maryland. Steroids are now banned in two of the three states where Triple Crown races are held. PETA began protesting the racing industry’s cruelty and pushing for immediate reform following the breakdown and death of Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby.