Horse races are a spectacle of high-stakes athleticism in which horses sprint around racetracks — often while being whipped into submission and bearing riders on their backs — in front of thousands of frenzied spectators. But behind the romanticized facade of this sport lies a world of injuries, drug abuse, gruesome breakdowns, and slaughter. In recent years, horse racing has made great strides in improving the lives of its horses. Advances in technology, such as thermal imaging cameras that can detect when a horse is overheating post-race, and MRI scanners, endoscopes, and 3D printing that can produce casts, splints, and prosthetics, have led to increased safety for the animals.
However, even with the best safety measures in place, horses still suffer tremendously during and after their races. They are forced to run, often at unnatural speeds, while being whipped, and are subjected to gruesome injuries such as bucked shins, quarter cracks, and the devastating bleedout (hemorrhage) from their lungs caused by the beating of their backs during the race. These injuries can be fatal, and many horses do not make it to the finish line.
While the industry is working hard to make racehorses safer, there are a number of steps that people can take to help put an end to animal cruelty in horse racing. Boycotting the sport is one way to show your support, as is donating money to organizations that advocate for improved conditions for racehorses.
Another way to help is to sign up for a horse rescue group in your area and volunteer to foster a retired racehorse. Most rescue groups have a network of volunteers who can provide food, water, and veterinary care for the rescued horses. Some of these volunteers can also assist with grooming, bathing, and exercising the horses.
Race horses are often forced to perform at high speed, causing their heart rates to increase to ten times their normal rate and resulting in exhaustion and collapse. Horses are also often subjected to dangerous jumps, including the notoriously tall fences in the Grand National, which puts enormous pressure on the slender front legs of the horses and makes them prone to debilitating and fatal injuries.
A rated race is a race that has been assigned a certain level of difficulty by the racing authority. The higher the level, the more difficult the race.
The ratings are determined by how quickly a horse runs a specific distance, such as a 6 furlong (3/4 mile) or 9 furlong (1 1/8 mile) race. The horse’s race record and experience are also taken into consideration when determining the rating.
A horse that earns the highest speed figure in its age group is said to have a good chance of winning a particular race. Often, this figure is the result of a good performance by the horse in its previous races.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.