Horse racing is a sport in which horses compete over long distances while under the control of a jockey and sometimes a trainer. The game is played around the world and has a rich history in many cultures. During the course of the race, bettors place wagers on the winner and loser. The winning bettors are awarded all the money wagered on the horse, less a percentage taken out by the track. The word “horse race” also refers to a contest among several candidates for the top leadership position at a company. Companies that use this leadership selection approach often claim that it is more effective than traditional methods.
While the sport is popular with fans, horse racing is not without controversy. It is criticized by some for its inhumane treatment of the animals, as well as its doping and overbreeding. In addition, there are concerns about safety issues. Nevertheless, others see it as the pinnacle of athletic achievement for these equine athletes and believe that it should be allowed to continue.
When horses are bred to race, they have to be trained to run at a high speed in order to compete with other horses. This can be a physically and mentally demanding process. Injuries and breakdowns are common, especially in early career. Some horses suffer from a condition known as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, in which they bleed from their lungs. The injuries are exacerbated by the fact that horses are forced to sprint, often under the threat of whips.
The horses in the races are usually fed a cocktail of legal and illegal drugs designed to mask their injuries, as well as enhance their performance. The most dangerous of these drugs is phenylbutazone, which can cause severe side effects, including death. The drugs are administered through syringes that are attached to a collar worn by the horses, which are sometimes whipped.
After the races, the horses are usually sent to slaughter. A few are given a chance to be “bailed” by private rescues, but the majority are shipped to Mexico and Canada where they are slaughtered for meat. Those that are not sold for slaughter are put into euthanasia clinics where they are gassed, electrocuted, or shot to death. Thousands of ex-racehorses are killed each year in this manner.
The first step in improving the lives of these animals is establishing an adequately funded industry-sponsored wraparound aftercare solution. Until that happens, it will be impossible to stop the hemorrhaging of former racehorses into the slaughter pipeline. Without a solution, the next Eight Belles, Medina Spirit, Keepthename, Creative Plan, or Laoban will end up in the same horrific place as these horses. It is time for the horse racing industry to take a stand.