A horse race is a contest of speed or stamina between two or more horses that are either ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies and their drivers. It is one of the world’s oldest sports, and its basic concept has remained virtually unchanged over the centuries. As the sport developed from a diversion of the leisure class into a huge public-entertainment business, the number of runners and sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment increased, but the outcome remained the same: The winner is the horse that finishes first.
There is nothing quite like watching a horse race in person. The thunder of the Standardbred horses vying to pull their driver’s cart across the finish line in the fastest time can be awe-inspiring and exciting.
In recent years, though, the excitement of racing has been overshadowed by questions about animal welfare and the health of racehorses. A series of serious injuries to horses, including fatalities, has led many fans and some legislators to call for an end to the sport.
Despite these setbacks, some horse races are still held, and the sport remains an important part of American culture and an international spectacle. It is difficult to imagine a more popular or more enduring sport than horse racing.
For some people, however, the idea of a horse race is less appealing than ever. This is especially true for those who are concerned about the health and welfare of the equine athletes. A horse race is a dangerous and stressful environment for the animals, and the risk of injury or death is high.
The pounding of the hooves on the hard track can cause severe injury to even the best-trained horses. Many races result in at least some degree of bleeding, and one study found that three thoroughbreds die every day in North America from racing-related injuries. It is not uncommon for horses to lose a leg or face in the course of a race, and even a minor injury can be catastrophic if it occurs during the final stretch of a long, fast-paced sprint.
These days, most thoroughbreds are bred to win a few prestigious races and then retire to a life of breeding and stud service. This is a far cry from the glory days of Seabiscuit, who ran and won so many times that he outran Triple Crown winner War Admiral. Even so, these modern Thoroughbreds are very different animals compared to the sturdy workhorses of yesteryear. Their skeletal frames are thinner and more attenuated, and their legs are as slender as matchsticks. They need to be carefully tended and nourished if they are going to run a race at full speed. They also need to be injected with Lasix, a powerful diuretic that prevents the dangerous pulmonary bleeding that can occur during hard running.
