Protect horses

HOPE, the racehorse who was found in a field, barely standing, emaciated and covered with sores (“Retired Racehorse Put Down in ‘Worst Case’ Seen by Animal Charity”, 29 Feb), is a sad reminder that even industry “winners” are often discarded like used betting slips once they are no longer profitable. 
There are few peaceful paddocks for horses who don’t bring in money for their owners or who sustain career-ending injuries, and all too often, these horses are dumped and forgotten in a lonely field like Hope was or sent to the slaughterhouse to become fillets or dog food. 
The industry spends millions of pounds each year on research into protecting their prize investments, yet virtually nothing goes to help these gentle animals once their racing days are over. 
While the best bet for the horses would be an end to breeding and gruellingly racing thoroughbreds altogether, at the very least the racing world must offer a decent retirement to the horses it no longer uses.