Horse racing is a sport that captivates millions of fans around the world. From the ceremonial pageantry of major races to the thrill of betting, there is much about horse race that attracts people to the track. But a closer look at the industry and its many abuses reveal a more troubling side: The physical toll that the sport takes on horses.
For example, would-be racehorses are torn from their mothers and herds at the age of one and then “broken,” an industry term for making them pliable and submissive. These young animals are then sent to racetracks, where they are put under intense physical and mental strain. As they run at breakneck speeds, horses’ developing bones and ligaments are subjected to tremendous stress that can leave them injured for weeks or even months. Moreover, the use of performance-enhancing drugs can compound the injury and fatigue that horses endure.
Those injuries can often prove fatal, especially when a horse is forced to continue racing in spite of the advice of veterinarians that it should rest and recover from its ailments. Then, there are the not-so-infrequent cases of equine cruelty, such as the treatment of Nehro by trainer Steve Asmussen that was documented on undercover video footage. Asmussen, who was charged with animal cruelty in the case, was forced to retire Nehro from racing after he suffered a serious injury and had to be euthanized.
The veterinary profession has also been at odds with the racing industry over the question of whether horses should be treated with drugs. Nevertheless, the use of drugs in horse racing is common, and many veterinarians believe that it is in the best interests of the horses to do so. Nonetheless, the use of medication to treat pain and inflammation is controversial, because the medications can have adverse side effects for some horses.
In addition, the practice of doping horses can cause serious health problems for humans who work in close proximity to these horses during a race. In light of the growing concerns over the safety and health of racing horses, a number of national racing organizations are trying to improve racing conditions by requiring veterinary inspections before races, improving track surfaces, enhancing equine care and ensuring that race-day medications are used only as permitted.
There are a variety of races that are held throughout the year. Typically, the most prestigious races are called “conditions races” and offer the highest purses. In these races, horses are assigned a weight to carry to ensure that all horses compete equally.
Other types of races include allowance and starter allowance races, which are intended for horses that have broken their maidens but are not quite ready to take on stakes-level competition. These races may be based on a number of factors, including how long it has been since the horse won a race, its age and its ability.
Another type of race is a steeplechase, which requires the contestants to jump over a series of obstacles on the course. A jockey is required to ride the horse to assist them in navigating the obstacle courses.