Horse races are a major attraction at race tracks, where fans can watch horses compete in close quarters and cheer them on to victory. Many people enjoy the sport of horse racing, and some even make a living betting on horses. But the racing industry has its problems, from the horses’ safety and welfare to the fact that many races are rigged. It is time that the racing industry evolved to treat equine welfare as a top priority, rather than blowing off the concerns of animal rights advocates and the general public.
Horses race for a variety of reasons, but the biggest draw is money. Whether they bet daily or casually, people love the chance to win a jackpot. It can give them relief from the tight grip of poverty for a week, a month or, if they are lucky enough to bet on a long shot, perhaps a lifetime. In addition to money, horse racing also offers the thrill of competition and the challenge of outwitting other jockeys and trainers. The sport has been around for thousands of years, with archeological evidence of horse racing in Ancient Greece, Rome, Babylon, Syria and Arabia. It has always played an important role in society, being a part of the Olympic Games and a prominent feature of mythology and legend.
The first recorded horse race was held in France in 1651, the result of a wager between two noblemen. The sport was popular in America until the Civil War, when the emphasis shifted to speed over stamina. After the Civil War, Americans began embracing British-style racing that emphasized both speed and endurance.
While spectators enjoy the fancy outfits and sip mint juleps, behind the romanticized facade is a world of broken bones and gruesome breakdowns. Injuries are a frequent occurrence, and the horse’s skeletal system is often unprepared to handle the pressure of running on hard surfaces at high speeds. Horses are often subjected to abusive training methods, and they are routinely drugged to mask the odor of pain from their injuries.
The race procedure begins when the horses enter the paddock, the section of the track where they are saddled and instructed by their trainers. An official is present to verify their weight, and a steward may check for rule infractions. Saliva and urine samples may be taken from the horses to detect the use of prohibited substances. Afterward, the horses parade past the stewards in front of the grandstand and then enter the starting gate. If a horse balks, the steward may disqualify it from the race. Some horse owners will then send the balking horse back to its stable, while other horses are put up for auction to be slaughtered. The lives of Eight Belles, Medina Spirit, Keepthename and Creative Plan are just a few examples of the thousands of racing horses that have been cruelly killed.