1/ST Urges Industry to Put Its Support Behind SAFE Act

To Members of the Racing Community, In an industry that does not always speak with one voice, there should be one clear point of agreement: we are judged by how we care for our horses. Without a firm commitment to equine welfare, our sport cannot sustain its future. We owe them safety, dignity, and lifelong care. Everyone involved in racing shares responsibility for these horses, not only during their careers, but long after. The era of "business as usual" is over. This is a business, but it is also a responsibility that requires integrity and a clear commitment to doing right by these animals. This is a pivotal moment for our industry. It calls for action, not silence. Inaction will be noticed and judged. The decisions we make now will define both our future and our credibility. For this reason, 1/ST supports the passage of H.R.1661/S.755, the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act. This legislation would permanently prohibit domestic horse slaughter and the export of horses for human consumption. While slaughter facilities no longer operate in the United States, the pipeline continues through export. In 2025, more than 25,000 U.S. horses were shipped to foreign slaughter plants, a sharp increase from the previous year. The SAFE Act would close this loophole and establish permanent federal protection. Many of us work to identify and help horses at risk, particularly those we recognize. But the reality is that most horses in this pipeline no longer have an identity that connects them back to our sport. The question is not how many we can save, but how many we never see. Public expectations around animal welfare have shifted and will continue to do so. Industries that fail to respond face consequences. Racing should not assume it will be treated differently or given more time. This is not only an ethical obligation, but also essential to the sport's long-term viability. We commend the work of the Wild Beauty Foundation, the Lost Horses campaign, and countless others for bringing attention to this issue and driving meaningful change. There are moments when industries are asked to show what they stand for. This is one of them. 1/ST asks organizations across racing and the broader equine community to take a clear position by contacting Members of Congress and publicly supporting the SAFE Act. At 1/ST, we are not waiting for perfect alignment, we are acting now. We encourage others to do the same and help set a clear standard for the humane treatment of horses, both during their careers and beyond. Only when we account for our horses beyond racing can we truly claim to protect them. Sincerely, Aidan Butler, president, 1/ST