A horse race is a competition of horses in which bettors place wagers on the winner. Historically, this sport has been popular as a form of entertainment and for its potential to yield substantial sums of money. The basic concept has remained unchanged over the centuries. It remains a contest of speed and stamina between two or more horses. In modern times, it involves large fields of runners, sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment, and massive sums of money. It has a long history of being a popular diversion of the leisure class, and it has morphed into an enormous public-entertainment business.
It is also a contest that can lead to serious injury and even death. One study found that about three thoroughbreds die every day because of catastrophic injuries sustained in races. This is despite the fact that horse racing is governed by strict rules to protect animal safety and welfare. In addition, horses must be conditioned to handle the stress of competing in fast-paced races over hard surfaces and at high speeds.
Thoroughbreds, which can weigh up to twelve hundred pounds, have delicate ankles that are prone to injury. A bad landing can damage the hock or fracture one of the sesamoid bones. These are two small bones that are located above and behind the fetlock joint and are essential to the horse’s ability to walk, trot, and gallop. Injuries to the feet can result in lameness and, in severe cases, a broken leg.
Another major source of injury is the pressure placed on the horse during a race. Many horses are pushed beyond their limits, and it is not uncommon for them to bleed from the lungs during a race. This condition is known as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. The bleeding may be caused by the pounding of the horses’ hooves against the track and from the force exerted by jockeys as they whip them to keep them running at top speed. It is estimated that a horse in 22 races will suffer an injury that prevents it from finishing a race.
A common complaint among horse-racing fans is that the sport is too violent for horses. This is a valid concern, especially in light of the number of deaths that have occurred on the track. However, there are steps that could be taken to make the sport less dangerous for horses. These include a zero-tolerance drug policy, turf (grass) tracks only, a ban on whipping, and competitive racing for horses no later than their third birthdays.
In the days before modern electronic betting, bettors looked at a horse’s coat in the walking ring to determine whether it was ready for the race. A bright coat rippling with sweat and muscled excitement was believed to signal that the horse was ready to run. Bettors who watched horse races in the old days usually cheered a specific horse by its name, such as Seabiscuit. In modern times, people are more likely to cheer a particular racer by his or her number.