Sustainable Horse Racing: Using Green Technology for Eco-Friendly Tracks

Horse racing is one of the most globally spread sports in the word, and you’d expect that a sport that utilizes horses would have a low environmental impact, which is not usually the case. The problem with horse racing is that it involves a lot of traveling, which means more carbon emissions. 

Additionally, there are other things like waste management, and running a popular event like the Kentucky Derby with more than 150,000 fans requires a lot of energy.

Therefore, horse racing isn’t as green as most people think. But this is not the end of the world, especially when you see technological advancements and most importantly will to change for a better future.

This inspired us to go on a search about how technology can help horse racing become greener, and what are some of the most common eco-friendly practices making horse racing tracks more sustainable. 

Let’s find out.

The Environmental Impact of Horse Racing

Before we start highlighting some solutions, it is really important to understand the environmental issues that horse racing as a sport faces. First of all, we have carbon emissions due to transportation. 

Remember, racehorses have to travel thousands of miles to race in a particular event, and this happens very often. Even if you don’t know much about horse racing or betting, it is easily noticeable that the racing schedule is packed in different parts of the world. You can click here to learn more about horse racing betting.

Then we have land and water use, which compared to other sports, horse racing is actually doing really well. But this doesn’t mean that there isn’t any room for improvement. 

In other words, horse racing has a considerable ecological impact on the planet, but the good thing is that big organizations are bringing out new practices that will make the sport more environmentally friendly.

Transportation and Carbon Emissions

There is no denying that one of the biggest impacts on the planet that comes from horse racing is carbon emissions from traveling around the world. The real issue here is that horse racing as a sport involves many different areas like breeding, training, care of horses, jockeys, and much more.

So, horses are bred in a specific location and then transported to a new stable (usually thousands of miles away). The new racehorse owner hires a trainer who prepares the horse for big events, and once the horse is ready, it’s back on the road traveling from the United States to Dubai and Japan.

Plus, we have daily trips by vets and traveling back and forward to the stable. On top of that, we have the use of traditional diesel-powered vehicles which contribute heavily to air pollution. Although this has nothing to do with tracks, we must have to do something that will reduce the carbon emissions from traveling.

Other sports face the same issue, which is why organizations like the NBA and F1 have created a schedule that will reduce the miles traveled throughout the season.

Maybe that’s the only option with horse racing. But it is going to be much more difficult since there is no big horse racing league creating a schedule and instead, individuals decide which race to appear on. 

Sustainability Hope On the Horizon

With so many problems, there is hope that horse racing will become a more sustainable sport. There are many horse racing organizations that introduce new technologies and employ practices that make the sport greener.

Some of the most common changes are:

Solar Power and Renewable Energy

One of the most noticeable changes in the world of horse racing, especially when we are talking about horse racing tracks is the introduction of solar panels and any other renewable energy. Nowadays there are plenty of racetracks that have installed solar panels and produce most of the energy they require on their own.

Water Conservation

Water is a critical resource in horse racing, used extensively for maintaining tracks and caring for horses. Efficient irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, and recycled water usage are becoming standard practices. These methods help conserve water, ensuring that this precious resource is used responsibly​​.

Waste Management

Effective waste management is crucial. Racecourses are adopting comprehensive recycling programs and exploring innovative solutions like composting horse manure. These efforts turn potential waste into valuable resources, such as fertilizers for local agriculture​.

Sustainable Facilities

Building and maintaining eco-friendly racing facilities is another significant step. The use of sustainable materials, energy-efficient lighting, and natural ventilation systems can dramatically reduce the environmental impact. Churchill Downs has partnered with green energy companies to power their operations more sustainably​​.

The Role of Advocacy and Research

The future of sustainable horse racing also hinges on continuous research and advocacy. Many organizations collaborate with universities and environmental groups to develop new, innovative practices that benefit both the sport and the environment.

These partnerships focus on land management, water conservation, and energy efficiency​​.

Fun with a Green Twist

But let’s not forget, that horse racing is also about the fan experience. Aintree’s Grand National, one of the most celebrated events, has introduced several eco-friendly measures without compromising the thrill of the races. From banning plastic straws to sourcing local food, these changes enhance the event while promoting sustainability​.