A horse race is a close competition between horses. It is usually measured by the time it takes them to run a set distance. The races are usually held at horse racing tracks, where the starting gate is operated electrically. Stewards and patrol judges, aided by a motion-picture camera called a “paparazzi,” supervise the race. Runners must be checked for proper weight, and rule violations are examined by the judge and a steward who checks on veterinary work after the race. The winner is determined by whichever horse crosses the finish line first.
The horse race is a sport that has been around for hundreds of years. It is still a popular activity for millions of people. Some people like to watch the horse race while others enjoy betting on it. Regardless of how you watch the horse race, it is always a fun and exciting experience.
Horse racing has changed dramatically in recent decades as a result of technological advances in the industry. Many of these advances have made the game safer for both horses and jockeys. The latest technologies are used to diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses, and are also improving racehorses’ overall well-being.
Despite these advancements, the industry is still riddled with corruption and cruelty. Thousands of racehorses die each year, most from horrible, slow-speed injuries. The rest are drugged, whipped, abused and pushed to their limits. They are social animals, yet spend the majority of their work lives confined in a stall. Those who are not killed on the track end up in slaughterhouses where they often face a violent and horrific death.
In the United States, horse racing is regulated by the federal Animal Welfare Act. There are also state laws that address the treatment of horses. These laws are designed to protect the health and safety of all racing participants, including horses and jockeys. The earliest horse races were match contests between two, or at most three, horses. Public demand, however, eventually produced open events with larger fields of runners. The first standardized races were six-year-olds carrying 168 pounds in four-mile (6.4-kilometer) heats, with winning horses having to win two of the heats.
Racing has to change its underlying business model and put the best interests of the horses at the forefront of its operations if it is to survive in a society, culture and justice system that increasingly recognizes all living creatures as having fundamental rights, not the least of which is survival.
Until that happens, juicing will continue to be a serious problem in the horse racing world. In addition to addressing the issue of drugs and doping, horse racing needs to invest in a fully funded, industry-sponsored wraparound aftercare solution for all racehorses who leave the track. Until then, there will be no way to prevent a great number of horses from suffering a horrendous fate. That includes Eight Belles, Medina Spirit, Keepthename and Creative Plan, and countless other equine athletes who have lost their chances at a brighter future.
