Seeing a horse race is a quintessential Kentucky experience. Feeling the earth shake as a mass of thundering hooves goes barreling down the stretch is one of the most exciting and memorable experiences. Horse racing is a highly sophisticated sport, requiring both speed and stamina. It is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and the betting opportunities are considerable. While the thrill of a horse race is a tremendous draw for many, some people find the treatment of horses to be questionable.
A horse race is a competition between two or more horses for the right to cross an imaginary finish line on the track at the end of a set distance. The first, second and third place winners are awarded prize money. Most races are contested over a mile or more, but some shorter distances are also popular. The earliest horse races were match contests between two or at most three horses, but pressure from the public eventually produced events with larger fields of runners. As dash, or one-heat, racing became the rule, a rider’s skill and judgment became vital to gaining a victory.
The racers wear special clothes, including padded breeches that cover the hips and thighs. They also use specialized saddles and bridles that fit the horse’s head. The riders hold on to the horses by holding a halter or bridle with the left hand, and use the right hand to steer and adjust the horse’s pace as needed.
While a horse is in motion, the stewards and patrol judges, aided by a video camera that records the finish, watch for any rules violations. The stewards and patrol judges also inspect the horses to make sure they are healthy and sound.
The sport of horse racing is regulated by the Jockey Club and the American Horse Racing Association. In addition, individual tracks have their own rules and regulations. A horse race is a timed event and is scored to determine the winner. The horses are rated for their speed, endurance and ability to jump hurdles if present. Depending on the type of race, horses may be categorized as a maiden, allowance or claiming race. The last category, a claiming race, is designed to allow horses that are not fast enough for higher-level races to compete with each other.
While the glamour of Thoroughbred horse races entices spectators to don their finest attire and sip mint juleps, behind that façade is a world of injuries, drug abuse, gruesome breakdowns and slaughter. Horses cannot say no in the way that a human athlete can, so they are forced to compete, often for their very lives. That’s why serious reform is urgently needed.