The Triple Crown looks glamorous.
But there’s a lot happening behind the scenes that most people never see.
As a vet who’s treated over 10,000 horses — including racehorses — I put together 10 facts the industry would rather keep quiet.
Things like:
- Up to 80% of racehorses race on legal drugs
- Up to 90% have stomach ulcers
- Racing a 2-year-old is the biological equivalent of training a 10-year-old child as a pro athlete
- Tens of thousands of racehorses disappear from the record every year
- A horse can have a clean X-ray and still be weeks away from a fatal fracture
And yes — I also share what the industry is actually getting right. Because to be fair, some real progress is happening. It’s complicated.
Is horse racing cruel? Sometimes, yes. Is it also funding equine research that’s saving horses’ lives? Also yes.
Both things are true.
I break down all 10 facts — with the science, the history, and my honest take as a vet — in my latest podcast.
We are looking for submissions for Dr. Tucker's "Featured Cases." If you have a puzzling case you want solved, we would love to post it to help others. Pictures needed, videos welcome. Email to support@wheredoesmyhorsehurt.com. Thank you.
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