Horse-racing industry depends on immigrant workers through H-2B visas

Key Takeaways

• The H-2B visa allows 66,000 foreign seasonal workers into the horse-racing industry yearly, but demand nearly doubles the cap.
• Most racetrack support jobs—grooms and hot walkers—are filled by immigrants, as American workers rarely apply or stay.
• New DHS rules in January 2025 will streamline applications and improve worker protections, but H-2B visa caps remain unchanged.

Every morning at racetracks across the United States 🇺🇸, the real action begins long before the first race. Horses are led to stables, exercised, groomed, and cared for in a routine that never stops, whether the stands are full or empty. While jockeys and trainers often receive the spotlight, it’s the people behind the scenes—such as grooms, hot walkers, and exercise riders—who keep this multi-billion-dollar industry moving. According to recent reports, the horse-racing industry deeply depends on immigrant workers who come to the United States 🇺🇸 through the H-2B temporary visa program. These workers fill essential jobs that are rarely taken by American workers and are critical to the sport’s very survival.

A Closer Look at Labor in the Horse-Racing Industry

Most people who follow horse races only see the excitement of the race itself. But there’s an entire workforce supporting each horse, trainer, and owner. Jobs like grooms, who care for the horse’s daily needs, hot walkers, who cool down horses after exercise, and exercise riders, who prepare horses for race day, are key to keeping a racing operation running.

Multiple studies show that American workers seldom apply for or stick with these jobs. The work is physically demanding, includes long hours, and often pays less than jobs in other industries. Racetrack managers say their efforts to attract U.S. workers usually don’t work, even when they advertise far and wide or increase pay.

This gap in the labor force led the horse-racing industry to turn to immigrant workers. Most come on H-2B temporary visas, a system designed for jobs that are seasonal and non-agricultural.

What is the H-2B Temporary Visa, and Why Does it Matter?

The H-2B temporary visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for temporary non-agricultural jobs. This program is especially important for industries that see a big increase in activity during certain times of the year, like tourism, landscaping, and, of course, horse racing.

But the H-2B program has strict rules. There is a yearly cap of 66,000 visas, with half available for jobs starting from October to March and the rest for April to September. To even apply, businesses must prove that not enough American workers are “able, willing, qualified, and available” to do the temporary work. This usually means employers must advertise jobs and document that U.S. applicants are either unavailable or unwilling to take the roles.

According to reports, industry demand for H-2B visa slots is much higher than the cap. As VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals, in many years, application requests can nearly double the number of visas offered. When the supply falls short, horse-racing managers face real fears of staff shortages that could shut down stables, cancel races, and threaten the jobs of trainers, veterinarians, and even the horses’ welfare.

Economic Importance: Beyond the Track

Why does this matter? Horse racing is about far more than entertainment. The industry injects over $26 billion each year into the U.S. economy. This number only covers the racing part of the industry, not breeding, training farms, or related jobs. Its reach is huge, supporting local businesses like feed suppliers, veterinary clinics, transport companies, and even hotels and restaurants near big tracks.

States such as Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Florida, and California depend heavily on a healthy horse-racing industry. A shortage of reliable workers in Kentucky’s famous bluegrass country or at the tracks of New York has direct effects on local tax revenues, tourism, and year-round employment in those areas.

Visa Caps and Labor Shortages: Ongoing Challenges

Even as the need for workers remains strong, the H-2B visa program’s annual limit poses ongoing problems. Once the 66,000 visa limit is reached each year, businesses must wait until the next cycle to hire more immigrant workers, no matter how severe their need. Applications pile up, and many employers are simply told, “No more visas available.”

The challenges get even worse in years when regulations change. For example, in 2016, the U.S. stopped renewing a special rule that allowed returning H-2B workers to stay without counting against the annual cap. This change cut the number of available visas and led to sudden and deep labor shortages, with some tracks unable to open as planned.

The shortages became even more serious during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when the U.S. paused processing many visas to stop the spread of the virus. Stables had to scramble to find local help, but most could not fill open spots. Some horses went without daily exercise, and smaller racetracks shut down temporarily—costing millions and putting pressure on the entire industry.

The Challenge of Finding American Workers: Why These Jobs Go Unfilled

The demand for H-2B workers isn’t for lack of trying to hire within the United States 🇺🇸. Before a horse-racing employer can even apply to sponsor an immigrant worker, they are required to show that they have advertised the job to American workers and that no suitable applicants appeared. These jobs are often advertised in rural and urban areas—in newspapers, online, and through job centers.

But the large majority of these jobs remain unfilled. The reasons are simple. The work is tough, starting early in the morning and often requiring work on weekends and holidays, sometimes in extreme weather. The pay, while competitive by some standards, usually can’t match what workers earn in other industries that offer better hours and conditions. Many jobs are also seasonal or temporary, so they don’t offer long-term stability. As a result, even when offered to U.S. citizens, these openings attract few applicants.

The Human Side: Immigrant Workers and the H-2B Experience

Most immigrant workers who come to the U.S. horse-racing industry under the H-2B program come from Latin American countries, often returning year after year. They often build long-term relationships with trainers and stables because the work is steady, the community tight-knit, and the experience respected.

These workers live near the tracks or in on-site dormitories. They handle the early-morning routines, care for the horses as if they were their own, and often develop deep connections with both the animals and their teams. Their work is hard—long hours, sometimes seven days a week—but it is valued by the industry.

Challenges still exist, of course. The temporary nature of the visa means workers have to return home after each season or risk overstaying their visa. Even small rule changes or delays in visa processing can disrupt their ability to work and support their families. For those who return each year, the process of renewing paperwork, getting approvals, and traveling back and forth adds expense and stress.

New Department of Homeland Security Rules: What’s Changing in 2025?

In response to long-standing concerns about delays and challenges in the H-2B visa process, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced new rules that take effect in January 2025. These rules bring some important changes:

• Faster Hiring: Once an employer files an extension of stay petition for an H-2B worker, the worker can start with the new employer right away, without waiting for the approval. This helps both workers and stables avoid gaps in employment.

• Better Protections: DHS wants to make it easier to report problems and make sure employers follow fair labor standards. This could help protect workers from abuse or unfair treatment.

• Streamlined Paperwork: New systems aim to speed up applications and reduce errors that cause long delays.

However, these new rules do not increase the annual cap. The limit of 66,000 visas remains the same, and so does the strict requirement that employers first look for American workers. As a result, these changes will make the journey smoother but not solve the root problem: not enough visas for all the jobs that need filling.

If you’re interested in reading the official announcement and details, you can view the Department of Homeland Security’s H-2B program information.

Industry Concerns and the Push for Reform

Horse-racing employers keep a close watch on every update to the H-2B rules. Many fear that further restrictions or more paperwork could lead to even bigger worker shortages. They worry that if they can’t find staff, race schedules will be cut, stables will close, and the entire business—from horse breeders to ticket sellers—will feel the pain.

That’s why some groups are pushing to reclassify horse-related support jobs under the H-2A agricultural visa, a different program usually used for farmworkers. The H-2A system has a higher annual cap and is often easier for employers to use. Some say that since many horse jobs take place on farms or in rural areas, this switch makes sense, especially during times when horses are not actively racing.

However, it’s not a simple solution. The H-2A program comes with its own set of rules and paperwork, and not all horse-racing jobs meet the strict definition of “agricultural work.”

The Numbers: A Snapshot of Industry Reliance

The facts speak for themselves:

• Essential Jobs: Almost all grooms, hot walkers, and exercise riders at U.S. racetracks are immigrant workers on H-2B temporary visas because U.S. citizens almost never apply for or stay in these jobs.
• Visa Shortage: There are only 66,000 H-2B visas available each year, split between the two halves of the year. Horse-racing employers often miss out when the number of applicants goes over the cap.
• Economic Reach: Over $26 billion is pumped into the U.S. economy each year just from the racing segment, directly tied to a steady supply of workers.
• Geographic Impact: States like Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Florida, and California are most at risk if labor shortages shut down parts of the industry.

Here’s a simple table summarizing the main facts:

The Bigger Picture: What Happens if the H-2B Program Changes?

If access to H-2B temporary visas is cut or made even harder, the effects will be felt not just at the track, but across the economy. Stables might close, smaller tracks could shut down permanently, and entire communities would feel the shock. Trainers and veterinarians could lose their jobs. Horses themselves could suffer from a lack of daily care. Local businesses—from restaurants to supply shops—would lose the steady business that comes from active racetracks.

Policy leaders, business owners, and even racing fans all have a stake in outcomes. As pointed out by VisaVerge.com, the horse-racing industry’s continued health relies on a guest worker policy that meets the real needs of businesses. While no system is perfect, the H-2B temporary visa program stands as a lifeline for keeping this tradition alive and supporting the livelihoods of thousands, both on and off the track.

Moving Forward: Finding Balance for the Future

The debate over immigrant workers in the horse-racing industry is not just about numbers—it’s about real people, jobs, and communities. It’s about horses who need daily care, small towns that rely on race days, and families—both American and immigrant—who depend on a paycheck.

Practical solutions might include revisiting visa caps, making it easier for employers and workers to use the program, and exploring new ways to fill jobs that Americans are not taking. Ongoing reforms show that government leaders are listening, but meeting the industry’s real needs will likely take more steps.

For now, the story remains the same: Without immigrant workers—brought in through programs like the H-2B temporary visa—the horse-racing industry would face huge problems. The stakes are high, and everyone with a tie to the track is watching, waiting, and hoping for a policy that works for all.

If you’re interested in the detailed process for employers or want to explore the rules and forms involved in the H-2B process, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services H-2B page provides up-to-date information, resources, and official forms.

In conclusion, the horse-racing industry’s stable operations, impressive economic contributions, and thousands of jobs rely heavily on immigrant workers brought in through the H-2B temporary visa program. Ongoing challenges, especially the yearly visa cap and U.S. labor market realities, show how crucial guest worker programs remain for keeping America’s racing tradition alive, healthy, and ready for another lap around the track.

Learn Today

H-2B Temporary Visa → A U.S. visa permitting employers to hire foreign workers for seasonal, non-agricultural jobs due to local labor shortages.
Groom → A worker responsible for daily care, cleaning, and feeding of racehorses at tracks and stables.
Hot Walker → An individual who cools down horses and walks them after exercise or competition to aid their recovery.
Visa Cap → The maximum number of visas, such as 66,000 for H-2B yearly, that can be issued each year by the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) → A U.S. federal agency overseeing immigration, border security, and the implementation of visa program regulations.

This Article in a Nutshell

Behind every horse race in the U.S., immigrant workers handle early mornings and tough jobs under the H-2B temporary visa. These roles keep the industry afloat. New 2025 DHS rules streamline hiring, but the unchanging 66,000 annual visa cap risks staff shortages, threatening race schedules and economic impacts nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com

Read more:

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• H-2B Visa Cap Hits Limit, Extra Visas Open for Applications
• H-2A, H-2B, and CW-1 Visa Processing Times as of March 1, 2025
• US Increases H-2B Visa Cap for 2025
• Maine H-2B Visa Shortage for Seasonal Workers