You hear many stories about what goes on behind the scenes of horse racing. Is racing just harmless fun or a sport with serious implications? Share your opinion.

Ariel:
Racing is a cruel and dreadful sport. There is no limit in the United States to how much a horse can be whipped. It's awful to zoom around a track just to find out one day that you didn't win that race and you're to be shipped to slaughter. I don't support horse racing at all.

Holly:
Racing seems to be a big topic on a lot of opinion boards, and I really don't understand why. After reading what people dislike, such as the abuse of the horses, raced too young, etc., I would have to ask them why they pick on racing when abuse occurs in virtually any horse-related sport? Showing, jumping, cross-country, rodeo ... there are just some people out there who are cruel to horses, and I think it's really sad that many of you judge racing by these people. Racing is sad in that many Thoroughbreds don't make it to the track because they just aren't going to make a good racer, but many of these horses go on to be successful in other disciplines. I also don't understand the argument that two years old is too young to race a Thoroughbred. Have you ever actually seen a two-year-old racer? These horses are carefully bred to develop faster than your average pleasure horse or show jumper. They also have much shorter careers.

Kelsey:
I truly love horse reacing. Yes, there are some bad horse people out there, but you'll find bad people in every sport. That's something that's never going to change. The majority of trainers and racehorse owners treat their horses very well. Still, one trainer happens to be mean, and it's broadcasted all over the country! The media tells everyone the owners are abusive and it gets so much attention that people think there are more bad racing people than good. Thoroughbreds are used in racing because they love to run. Yes, they are whipped, but it's only when their minds start to wander and they need to get back on track. I love the sport, and it's not cruel.

Molly:
Maybe to you people racing is bad, but to me it's the best sport in history! I think fancy shows are boring, but when I go to a racetrack, it's all thrill and excitement! I exercise Thoroughbred racehorses and plan on working further in the industry someday. Please understand I'm just trying to stand up for my opinion. Remember that Thoroughbreds are very powerful animals and they love to run. It's what they're born to do. Of course they get injured; racing is a risk, just like many sports. The racing industry is dying and I hope it lives on, because I love Thoroughbred racing! I love the feeling of an animal surging beneath you with speed, power, and heart.

Natasha:
I think racing is stupid. It hurts the horses and they can't say anything about it. That's my opinion.

Laura:
Racing is one of the cruelest sports. So much life is lost each year. What is the point?

Michelle:
On the whole I love racing, particularly visiting the yearling sales at Newmarket. On the other hand, I have seen some absolutely dreadful things, like the horses they use for drug testing: I just wanted to say that it was one of the saddest moments of my life, standing there gently touching a grey gelding who could barely stand, his eyes glazed over with a deep despair that I could barely imagine.

Lisa:
Racehorses are raced too young. They start racing two-year-olds! They're still growing at that age and are not even meant to be carrying a rider yet. They could easily be injured and they use whips too much.

Lauren:
I don't really like racing. Money has gotten the better of people and they'll do anything to win cash. They'll drug horses, bump others, cause others severe injury. Most people only see horse racing as a simple business to earn money and the horses don't receive any TLC. Also, they're raced too young and their bones wear down as well as their hearts.

Leah:
I am not opposed to racing at all. In fact, I love racing. I even went as far as to create a successful SIM game about it. I realize that some owners are cruel to their horses in racing -- like racing them when they haven't had enough rest, or by hurting them. However, with drug testing, etc., less and less racehorses are being abused. I believe that maybe the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. Of course, some trainers are bad. There's no doubt about it. But I've seen many horses abused and mistreated and bad trainers while I was showing in an AQHA and all breed show. There was a girl who had a bad jumping round and as soon as she got out of the ring, she jumped off her horse and beat him senseless with her crop. So it's not only racehorses who may be subjected to such abuse. As for being trained so early in life, I can say that I would like to see them be trained later in life, like at three or four years old.

Sarah:
I love watching racing on television! The flip side of "the dark side" is the side where they're treated like royalty. It's kind of hard for me to hear about owners and trainers spending thousands of dollars on special hay and imported water in one news story, and in the very next, hear about them starving or having a drought. The abuse is not right, but I don't believe spending a lot of money on a horse is right either. Imported water? For a horse?

Rowdy:
I have bounced around this idea for many years before I actually started riding. I've come to conclude that a lot (but not all) racing owners abuse their horses seriously if they don't win ... or when they're in the race, they whip them with all their might. Some horses love being out on the track and enjoy it so much that they have every right to be out there. However, some horses hate it and are sent to slaughter if they don't win any races the first part of their life. I read that more Thoroughbreds are put to slaughter than any other breed.

Danielle:
I personally think that horses are raced at too young an age. They start training as yearlings and most are racing at age two. Two-year-olds are still just babies ... they're still growing and are more likely to get injured. I also hear stories of cruel owners, drugging, and rigged races, although I'm sure there are many owners who love their racehorses. I think that if horses were raced at an older age, when their bones and muscles are fully developed, it would be better.

Morgan:
I have seen the inside and out of racing. I am a former polo player and used to buy race horses in claiming races. Racing does have it's bad people as all sports do, however, some people take wonderful care of their horses. The only thing I don't like is at small races, trainers tell the jockeys where to put the horses in the race before it even takes place. Small time races are rigged, and that's what I don't like.

Milissa:
I like to watch racing on television, but I also know the dark side to it. Most former racehorses are killed for meat because they are too old to race. (That could be as young as 8 years old!)

Stacie:
I believe that horse racing is a sport with cruelty in it, but then again, horse showing does also. I've read in USA Equestrian's magazine and on their website about those suspended for drug use and mistreatment of the horses they ride. Most racehorses, however, are treated with love and care. I remember going down to Versalles, KY and all the horses at the Thoroughbred farms I visited were treated like royalty. I am not saying that there have been bad activities behind the scenes of racing. Yes, horses are beaten, drugged, etc. but like I said before, so are some horses shown in show jumping, saddleseat, etc. You can't avoid it.