A horse race is a competition in which horses, driven by jockeys, run around tracks made of dirt or other materials at high speeds. The entrants, called runners, are often assigned weights to ensure fairness. Weights may be based on the age, sex, birthplace, or previous performances of a horse. A horse may also have a specific veterinary condition that affects its ability to race, such as an inflamed or bruised suspensory ligament. The most dangerous type of race is the steeplechase, which involves jumping over a variety of obstacles.
The history of horse racing dates back to contests over natural terrain, in which church steeples served as landmarks. The Greek author Xenophon described it as early as the fifth century B.C. The sport became a favorite pastime of cavalry officers. The demand for more public races eventually produced open events with larger fields of entrants. Rules were developed based on the pedigree, age, sex, and birthplace of a horse as well as its training. A horse with a good pedigree and training is said to have a good chance of winning.
Many of the most prestigious flat races are referred to as handicap races. In these, all entrants are allocated the same weight for fairness, but allowances are made based on a horse’s age and sex. A horse with a good pedigree but poor training is said to be a “claimer.”
In addition to the weights given to horses, their performance can be influenced by their position in the field, the quality of the track, and whether it is a grass or dirt race. Horses are also influenced by their sex, age, training, and jockey.
A jockey’s skill and judgment are vital to a horse’s success in a race. He or she must coax a horse to move forward by applying pressure with the whip, using it sparingly. A jockey with a light touch is known as a “hand rider.”
In the wild, horses live in herds and spend most of their time grazing, which is an important part of their overall health. When they are forced to run on hard surfaces, they are often injured. One study found that one horse in 22 races suffers a serious injury that keeps it from competing. Another report estimates that 3 thoroughbreds die every day from injuries sustained at the racetrack. The problem is compounded by the fact that most racehorses are pushed beyond their limits and given cocktails of legal and illegal drugs to mask their pain, speed up recovery, and enhance their performance. Many of these drugs have been shown to cause bleeding from the lungs, a condition known as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). The results are often horrific and many horses end their careers in slaughterhouses. A few have been saved by the efforts of dedicated animal rights activists and horse lovers. However, it is unlikely that the industry will ever evolve to put the welfare of the horse as its top priority.