NSPCA raises concerns over equine welfare in horse racing

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) said they recently met with the National Horseracing Authority (NHA) to address urgent concerns raised about the #ReinInThePain campaign commercial.

They said the use of tongue-ties, excessive crop use, and the racing of underage horses - all practices that compromise equine welfare was a concern.

NSPCA added they were deeply concerned about whether a regulatory body so reliant on the success of the commercial side of horse racing can consistently and objectively enforce animal welfare standards. 

They stated that during the meeting, the NHA suggested that the NSPCA change its official Statement of Policy which opposes animal racing to "engage productively” with them.

Dr Bryce Marock, Consulting Veterinarian of the NSPCA explained: “As the custodians of animal welfare in South Africa, we cannot and will not compromise our legal mandate to protect animals simply to make collaboration easier.”

The NSPCA said a troubling pattern also emerged in the meeting - one of shifting responsibility rather than ensuring direct accountability. 

“The NHA has effectively requested that the NSPCA submit further research to justify its welfare concerns,” the NSPCA said.

“Calling for “more research” is a diversion from the core issue: meaningful enforcement and reform. The focus must now be on action, not justification.”

The NHA has acknowledged the concerns and committed to consultation.

They added that they were concerned that there were no criminal steps taken

“Another major point of concern was enforcement. When asked why no criminal cases have, to the NSPCA’s knowledge, been opened by the NHA against jockeys or trainers who contravene the Animals Protection Act (APA) through overuse of the crop or other welfare violations, the NHA stated that it first exhausts internal disciplinary processes before taking the issue further,” the NSPCA said.“

"This is not acceptable. When laws are broken, criminal charges must be laid, and internal processes cannot take precedence over national legislation. Passing this responsibility onto the NSPCA, as was suggested, is an abdication of duty from a body that positions itself as the guardian of welfare during horse racing.”

The NHA also acknowledged that while they are members of several international racing committees, they may deviate from such international standards. 

“This creates an opportunity to lead by example and adopt more progressive, welfare-focused rules in South Africa - putting the welfare of horses first rather than waiting for international consensus,” the NSPCA said in response.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the NHA to include the NSPCA in its next Rules Committee consultation process, allowing the NSPCA to re-table its concerns and proposals. 

The NSPCA welcomes this step and will continue to engage constructively, but its position remains firm: Stricter penalties must be enforced for crop overuse, including criminal prosecution when warranted, Harmful devices such as tongue-ties must be banned, Horses must not be raced before skeletal maturity and Welfare considerations must take priority over commercial gain.

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