A horse race is a competition in which humans on horseback try to outrun each other over a distance. The term is also used for a political contest or an election.
Horse racing has become more scientific and technological in recent years, with horses now subjected to the utmost in security measures both on and off the track. Thermal imaging cameras can detect when a horse is overheating post-race, while MRI scanners and X-rays help spot minor injuries and other problems. Injuries can be treated with splints and casts that are 3D printed by special machines.
Modern technology has also improved the safety of horses, with stewards now using the latest in telemetric equipment to track a horse’s every move. Several innovations have been made in the treatment of injured or ailing horses, with MRI scanners being used to detect lameness and other problems while blood tests are now routinely used to check for a range of substances that may be harmful to horses.
The earliest written manual on the care, feeding, and training of horses dates from about 1500 bc in Asia Minor. The chariot races described in the Iliad by Homer are said to have been held around 740 bc, and the steeplechase was first mentioned by the Greek author Xenophon in 5th century bc.
In a horse race, large mature horses are preferred for their strength and stamina. In Thoroughbred racing, a race is governed by a set of rules, including a minimum age for the horses and weights to be carried. There are many different types of horse races, from open stakes to handicap races in which a fixed amount of money is awarded to the winner.
A horse is prepared for a race by its trainer, who will develop a regimen that will suit the individual characteristics of the animal. This might involve running the horse long and short, over a variety of speeds, on different surfaces, or with different turns, depending on the condition of the ground and the type of race. The trainer will then select the best horse to run in the race, taking into account its previous performance and its abilities in training.
Before the race begins, the stewards and patrol judges check the horses in the paddock, which is where they are saddled. The jockeys then lead the horse to its starting gate, which is electrically operated at most tracks.
Once the race has begun, the stewards and patrol judges watch from a number of vantage points as the horses race. The stewards will then announce the order of finish.
A substitute race is a race that is scheduled for a specific date and time, but that is not included in the race schedule because there are not enough entries to fill the field. Substitute races are usually a short distance and over a single turn. These are not to be confused with races that are scheduled for a certain number of hours ahead of time, known as overnight or early races.