The Dangers of a Horse Race
A horse race is a contest of speed between horses that are either ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies driven by drivers. This sport has a long history and is practiced in many countries. It is a popular spectator sport and has been the subject of countless films, including Seabiscuit and Man o’ War. The sport has its critics, however, who argue that racing is unethical and cruel to horses.
One of the major issues with horse races is that they often cause severe injuries to the animals. Studies have shown that one horse in 22 races will suffer an injury that prevents it from finishing the race. The majority of these injuries are caused by the exertion and impact of running at high speeds over a hard surface. Injuries are also caused by the use of whips and electric shock devices, and by a lack of exercise or inappropriate training. In addition, horses are often confined in tight spaces for long periods of time. The combination of these factors can lead to a variety of serious health problems, including lung disease, colic and exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.
The lungs are particularly sensitive to high-speed impacts, and it is common for horses to bleed from them during races. This is known as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, or EIPH, and it can be fatal to the animal. It is a frequent cause of death in Thoroughbred horses. It is estimated that 3 thoroughbreds die every day from injuries sustained during races. To reduce the risk of this happening, many trainers give their horses a drug called Lasix or Salix, which is a diuretic with performance-enhancing qualities.
In addition to attempting to reduce the risks of EIPH, trainers have also developed methods to increase the speed at which their horses run. For example, they may teach their runner to change leads during the race, so that it runs on its right lead in the straightaways and its left lead around the turns. This can help a runner to save energy and finish faster.
The most important thing that a trainer can do for a racehorse is to ensure that the animal is properly trained and fit before each race. A trainer will usually begin a runner with a light work, which involves taking the horse out at a low pace for a short distance. As the horse builds up fitness, the trainer will gradually increase the intensity of the work. Finally, the runner will be asked to “work” or breeze, which means that it will be asked to run at a faster pace for a longer period of time. This will determine whether the runner has the ability to run at the level required for the race. The most successful horses are those that are “in the money” (finish in the top four) and earn a percentage of the total purse.