The quick answer is that it's complicated, as are many relationships. At its finest, thoroughbred racing is a sight to behold. Sometimes the response is that most horses in racing are treated well, definitely better than most animals raised for food in the United States. And they do receive health care during their racing career. There are three main types of horses used in racing: racehorses, performance horses, and show horses. Most racehorses are used for multiple races over several weeks or months. Performance horses are used exclusively for competition at one meeting per year. Show horses are trained primarily for the pleasure of the public when they are young and are expected to compete in shows. Although racehorses and performance horses both earn income for their owners, this is not their primary purpose. The majority of horses used in racing are owned by individuals who enjoy them as pets and treat them like such. Horses are taken to and from the track in vehicles called trailers. They usually travel overnight, so they must be given water and fed regularly. During this time, they can not eat or drink anything else. After they race, the horses need to recover before being loaded back into the trailer for the next round of races. Racecar drivers use a whip to keep their horses moving forward. It is considered bad form for a driver to touch his or her horse while out on the track.