The Dangers of Horse Racing
The thrill of feeling the ground shake as a mass of thundering hooves barrel down the stretch during a horse race is one of America’s quintessential experiences. The race is a test of a horse’s stamina and ability to overcome obstacles and cover distance, and if it is won, the first, second and third place finishers receive prize money. A race may be run on a flat track, a jump track or a steeplechase course (the latter with hurdles). A race is usually begun from a starting stall, although in some cases a race can begin under a flag if the starter decides to do so or if the stewards allow it.
Historically, the sport of horse racing has been highly competitive and the winning horses have been admired for their strength and beauty. Today, with the advent of new technology, advances in breeding and increased awareness of animal welfare, horse races must balance the traditional aspects of the sport with an effort to modernize.
A horse race can be a thrilling event to watch, but it also can be an exhausting experience for the animals involved. The horses must endure a lot of physical stress and exertion, including running at high speeds, jumping over obstacles and carrying a jockey. In addition, they must eat frequently and drink water to stay hydrated during a race. As a result, many horses become so exhausted that they lose weight and are not able to perform as well in future races. The physical demands of horse racing can cause a variety of injuries and illnesses, ranging from minor lacerations to severe colic.
In order to prevent this, horses are treated with a cocktail of legal and illegal drugs that can mask injury and enhance performance. The most common of these drugs are anabolic steroids, which are designed to help the horse build muscle mass, and Lasix, a diuretic that helps decrease exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. These substances can be ingested orally, topically or intravenously.
Horses must be trained properly to ensure that they are able to compete in the sport, and violations of the rules can lead to disqualification or further sanctions. Despite these regulations, many racehorses are not treated well, and some are even subjected to abuse or neglect. In an attempt to increase the number of wins and prize money, horse owners often put more pressure on their horses to win, which can result in them being pushed beyond their limits. Consequently, the majority of horses will bleed from their lungs after a race, a condition called exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.
While horse racing is an expensive and time-consuming activity for horse owners, it can bring in billions of dollars for the cities and states where they are held. In addition, it provides jobs for thousands of people and supports many rural economies in America. However, while the industry claims to generate billions of dollars in economic activity, it fails to mention that a large portion of this goes to corporate interests and not to the thousands of people who work at the racetracks and the thousands of horse farms.
