The Beauty and Spirit of the Horse Race
From ancient chariot races to the grandeur of today’s major events, horse racing has long held a special place in popular culture. Whether for the fashion, the wagering, or the time-honored traditions, this sport continues to attract millions of fans who come together around the world to celebrate the beauty and spirit of the horses themselves. Animal welfare is becoming an increasingly important issue for the industry, with many authorities implementing stricter regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of the horses.
The sport has developed from a primitive contest of speed and stamina between two horses into an enormous spectacle involving large fields of runners, sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment, and immense sums of money. But the basic concept remains unchanged: the horse that crosses the finish line first wins.
While the sport has undergone tremendous improvements over the centuries, the cruelty inherent in the industry continues to erode its popularity. As the world becomes more aware of the dark side of horse racing, growing numbers of people choose not to attend or support the event.
Many racing officials have begun to address these issues by instituting improved track conditions and by increasing the number of veterinarians on duty at each race. They have also increased the amount of money paid to winners, and are working to improve the conditions of stables and kennels. But the most important improvement is the attention to the health and welfare of the animals themselves, which has been a major focus of advocacy groups like PETA.
During the 18th century, standardized races became the norm in Europe. The King’s Plates were a set of races for six-year-olds carrying 168 pounds in four-mile heats, with a horse having to win two of the races to be adjudged the winner. In addition, dash racing was introduced, with each race reduced to one heat.
A horse’s pedigree is an essential component of its eligibility for a race. To be bred to race, a horse must have a sire and dam who are purebred members of the same breed. The pedigree determines the horse’s class, and is one of the factors that determines its winning chances in a race.
The use of whips, tongue-ties and spurs is not only illegal, but also causes severe pain and long-term distress to the horses that are subjected to them. Despite this, these devices are still used in an effort to coax the best performance out of each animal. An electric shock device known as a jigger is another piece of equipment that is still frequently used, although it is a clear violation of animal welfare laws.
Injuries and breakdowns are common, as is the death of some horses due to exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). Some horses are treated with cocktails of legal and illegal drugs designed to mask injuries and enhance performance.