A horse race is a competition between two or more horses, typically in a set distance. It is the world’s oldest sport, and it was practiced in many ancient civilizations, including Ancient Greece, Rome, Babylon, Syria, and Arabia. It has been a central part of myth and legend as well, most famously the contest between the god Odin’s steeds Helgi and Hrungnir in Norse mythology. In modern times, it is primarily a spectator sport, but it also involves betting and has become a significant industry.
Historically, races were run over short distances of a quarter, half, or one mile, to showcase a horse’s speed and endurance. These early races were conducted by professional riders, known as jockeys, who often worked for the wealthy noblemen and aristocrats who owned the horses. They were ridden on barebacks, and their job was to get the horse around the course in as fast a time as possible, usually to impress prospective owners and encourage them to buy the horses.
In the United States, horse racing is regulated by the Jockey Club. Despite this, the exploitation of horses remains rampant. Many racehorses are bred for speed at the expense of bone mass and overall health, and they are pushed far beyond their natural abilities during races. This can cause serious injuries, such as bleeding lungs and fractured limbs. Moreover, horseracing has a high incidence of colic and other digestive issues. It is common for jockeys to be injured, as well; on average, two jockeys die and sixty are paralyzed each year.
While the public admires the spectacle of a horse race, the reality is that most of these animals live in a life of pain and suffering. They are often used until they are no longer profitable, then slaughtered and fed to glue and dog food factories. In the United States, an estimated 10,000 “unprofitable” and unwanted Thoroughbreds are trucked to Canada and Mexico each year to be killed for their meat.
The only way to end the suffering of these animals is to boycott horse racing. Instead, bet on sports in which the participants are willing athletes, not enslaved animals. If you must wager, do it on a football match or any other game that doesn’t involve horses who are forced to run for their lives. It is an utterly barbaric form of entertainment that deserves no public support or funding.