What is Horse Racing?
Horse racing is a sport based on the use of horses to compete against each other. A horse race is usually run over a set distance, and the winner of each race receives a prize money, depending on the type of race and the conditions of the track. It is an international sport with races occurring in many countries.
It is also a very controversial sport, in that many people see it as cruel. This is because horse racing requires the use of animals and involves many harsh practices. The sport has been criticized by animal rights activists for its treatment of its athletes. It is claimed that the horses are drugged and whipped, that they are raced too young, and that they are often broken down by injuries and even slaughtered once they can no longer compete. The activists also claim that the sport is not as genteel as it is presented to be, with spectators wearing fancy outfits and sipping mint juleps while the animals are forced to sprint through the dirt in front of them.
The first horse races were match contests between two or more horses, but pressure by the public eventually produced open events with larger fields of runners. Rules developed to determine eligibility for horses based on age, sex and time of year, and races of different lengths were established. Some of these races were limited to males, some to fillies, and others were open to any horse. A rider’s skill and judgment became increasingly vital for gaining the winning edge in these events.
During a horse race, the horses are given injections of Lasix on the morning of the race. The medication is noted on the racing form with a boldface “L.” Its purpose is to prevent pulmonary bleeding, which hard running causes in many horses and leaves them with epic amounts of urine (twenty or thirty pounds worth). Lasix can be fatal to horses that are dehydrated.
In the United States, the popularity of horse races has diminished greatly in recent years, due to the growing awareness that the sport is not as genteel and pure as it is presented to be. This has fueled calls for reform and has caused many owners to reconsider their participation in the sport. The industry has begun to make some improvements, and new technology has been introduced to help horses be safer on the tracks. However, there is much more to do if horse racing is to be restored to its former glory. A successful transition to a more humane sport will require that all stakeholders work together to bring about the necessary changes. Until then, the sport remains on a precipice of collapse.