Horse racing has been a part of human culture for thousands of years. It is practiced in all parts of the world and has been an integral part of many civilizations’ history. Its roots extend as far back as ancient Greece, Rome, Babylon, Syria and Egypt. Its earliest forms involved pulling two-wheeled carts or chariots pulled by one or more horses. It became a formal sport sometime before 1000 B.C.E.
A horse race is a competition that pits one horse against another in a controlled, often regulated environment. The participants are evaluated and ranked according to their performance and the winner is awarded a purse or prize money. The prize amount varies from race to race, with some races having a larger purse than others. The classification of a race also varies. A race is classified as a Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, or Grade 4. Grade 1 races are the highest-level races that have the largest purses. A Grade 2 race is a high-quality race with a smaller prize amount than a Grade 1. Grade 3 races are low-quality races with lower prize amounts than a Grade 2.
The most common breed of horse for racing is the Thoroughbred, which is larger and more muscular than other breeds. It is bred for speed and endurance. A typical race is less than a mile in length and lasts several minutes. The race is run at breakneck speeds and requires an enormous physical effort by the horse.
Injuries are common in the sport. Injuries are most likely to occur during training, but they can happen during a race as well. One study found that about one in every 22 Thoroughbred races suffered an injury that prevented the horse from finishing the race. Another study indicated that about three thoroughbreds died every day in North America from catastrophic injuries during races.
Despite the glamourous image of horse racing, horses are subjected to drug abuse, gruesome breakdowns and slaughter. The apex of their lives is on a racetrack where humans perched on their backs compel them to sprint, frequently in close quarters, at breakneck speeds. In nature, horses instinctively understand self-preservation and will only continue when their bodies are capable of doing so.
To push a horse past its limits and keep it running for a few more yards than one of the other horses is to gamble on its health. The sport is full of broken bones, shattered legs and ripped spines. Some die from cardiovascular collapse and other causes such as pulmonary hemorrhage. Some are so severely injured that their limbs are missing, and their skin is the only thing keeping the skeleton together. Despite some commendable recent steps, horse racing is not safe. It is time to acknowledge that and take action. Otherwise, it is doomed. The horses deserve better than this. It is not right to kill them for the sake of money. They deserve more than to live on a racetrack where they are constantly subjected to pain, drugs and the ultimate end—slaughter.