An animal rights group is calling for a ban on steeplechase racing because of the increasing number of animals being put down.
In the past three weeks, three horses have died in races which required them to jump over hurdles - bringing the total killed to seven so far this season.
Mandy Carter from SAFE says a horse was euthanised on Sunday after it fractured its hind leg during a steeplechase in Te Aroha.
"It's about making a profit, if those animals are no longer profitable for them, then they're obviously going to get rid of them."
New South Wales has already banned jump-racing.
"The lives and welfare of the horses are what is really at stake in jump-racing: an industry where profit and prestige outweigh the safety of the animals," says Ms Carter.
It comes two months after three horses had to be put down on one day at an Ellerslie Racecourse steeplechase event.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing general manager Matthew Hall says the seven fatalities this season is worrying, and NZ Racing will be taking action to further ensure safety in the sport.
"We're committed to the jumps racing industry, but we're also committed to making it as safe as possible.
"We'll look at the design of obstacles, the track conditions making it more dangerous and ensuring jockeys don't race on tired horses."
He says they will also assess the qualification process that allows horses to compete.
The latest horse death at Te Aroha happened on the flat, he says, so was not actually jumping related.
Over the past two seasons Mr Hall says there has been a low rate of horse fatalities. But as with all horse sports there is inherent risk, and they are doing everything they can to mitigate it.
"There's always going to be risk and we can't eliminate it entirely, but we'll certainly be doing a full review of this season."
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