Racing Industry Makes Progress on Slaughter Prevention, But SAFE Act Remains Stalled
Horse racing has made significant progress concerning horses sent to slaughter. Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, horses are classified as an amenable species, meaning horse meat cannot be shipped or sold for human consumption without inspection. With the government declining to fund Food and Drug Administration inspectors, all U.S. slaughter facilities have closed.
Aftercare initiatives have also expanded dramatically in recent years. Dozens of charities now care for thousands of retired racehorses across the country. Several tracks have established their own non-profit programs where trainers and owners can surrender their horses to on-track workers who guarantee safe retirement homes.
The gold standard remains Parx’s Turning For Home program, which has taken in 4,600 horses since its 2008 launch.
Despite this progress, significant gaps remain in protection.
Horses continue facing slaughter because current law permits shipping them to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico. The Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act would permanently prohibit both domestic slaughter and the export of horses to neighboring countries for slaughter purposes. Passage would effectively eliminate the pipeline that enables this practice.
The legislation isn’t facing direct opposition — it’s struggling with legislative inertia.
Chris Heyde, founder of Blue Marble Strategy and a Washington, D.C. lobbyist focused on animal welfare issues, explained the situation during a recent TDN Writers’ Room podcast.
“We’ve passed it out of the House of Representatives several times,” Heyde said. “Even in the last Congress, we moved it out of there. It’s a matter of getting all the parts lined up to get it out of the House and get it out of the Senate. The Senate was set up to be a lot slower. It’s where things get bogged down. They are far more deliberate.”
After 25 years working on animal welfare issues, Heyde understands Washington’s reality: money, access and influence drive legislative action. He acknowledges lacking the clout needed to secure meetings with key lawmakers.
“Anytime I ever talk or write articles, I mention an old Thoroughbred owner, John Hettinger,” Heyde said. “He could pick up the phone and he would get members of Congress on the phone or he would get other major business leaders to get on the phone and tell them that this is a priority. And that’s really what we need. We really haven’t kind of had that leadership since John passed away.”
Hettinger died in 2008, leaving a leadership vacuum on this issue. Industry insiders with political connections could potentially fill this gap.
Kentucky’s major breeders have established relationships with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, whose support was crucial for passing the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). McConnell announced in February 2025 that he will retire and not seek re-election in 2026. His likely successor, Congressman Andy Barr, has consistently supported racing industry initiatives.
The responsibility extends beyond Kentucky connections. Anyone with congressional influence could advance this cause.
Mike Repole’s recent success with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis demonstrates the impact of strategic engagement. The billionaire businessman contributed $300,000 to DeSantis’s state political committee, the Freedom Fund, according to campaign finance records filed in July 2025. Shortly after, DeSantis publicly opposed decoupling in Florida.
“There are politicians that will listen to business owners and business leaders,” Heyde explained. “That’s really what we need because this isn’t good for the racing industry. We’ve always tried to get that point across. I would say that 99% don’t want this happening to their horses, but they’ve got to speak up and make that contact.”
Heyde acknowledges the SAFE Act faces slim chances as standalone legislation. Instead, efforts focus on including it in the Farm Bill — the federal government’s primary agricultural and food policy instrument. The 2018 Farm Bill permanently outlawed slaughtering, trading, and transporting dogs and cats for human consumption in the U.S.
Adding “horses” to the existing language could provide the necessary protection.
Those interested in supporting this effort can contact Heyde at cheyde@bluemarblestrategy.com.
