06/11/2026
It seems that most of our industry standards for horses and humans start with the race industry, Katie Derer writes. But why is racing seemingly the only discipline that keeps track of its workers, laborers, and owners accountable for equality practices? I also find it interesting that in the USA, outside of racing, there are zero tolerance policies regarding horse welfare and banning riders or trainers, but there are no repercussions for bad paying employers. Explain to me why the United States of America is one of the only countries without regulatory practices for pay, training, and professional development in equine sport.
To me, the arguments are excuses. “America is so big”, “even if you regulate it, people will find a way around it anyway”. If you have similar thoughts, again, this widespread industry brainwashing is how we have become the downcast industry of today. Just because following laws can be dismissed, doesn’t mean that there should be no laws at all.
The racing industry has mapped out some potential roads for employment to take in other horse industries. In all the mentioned countries, the general theme is that employers in the horse racing industry must comply with local labor laws, which often include the requirement to pay staff, such as grooms, trainers, and jockeys, on time. Some jurisdictions explicitly prohibit a horse from competing if there are unresolved employment or payment issues, while others enforce this through licensing or certification requirements. The specifics can vary by country or even state/province, but in all cases, ensuring fair pay for workers is a critical aspect of maintaining ethical and legal racing operations. Just by adapting a few of these principles into other disciplines of equestrian sport, we could certainly make a crucial step in keeping equestrians validated and safeguarded in their jobs.
📎 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/06/03/industry-labor-supply-and-demand/
📸 © Chelsea Lothrop Photography
