A horse race is a form of gambling in which gamblers bet on the winner of a particular race. A bet on the winning horse is called a “place” bet, and a bet on a particular position is known as a “show.” There are many different types of horse races, including harness racing, thoroughbred racing, steeplechases and parimutuel betting. Unlike most forms of gambling, horse races are not legal in all states. Despite this, horse races are one of the most popular forms of gambling in the United States.
Most people are aware that horse racing is cruel to the animals. They may not know that horses used for racing are often born with crippling defects and suffer from a variety of ailments and injuries. One of the most common causes of death in the sport is heart failure from overexertion, as well as hemorrhaging of the lungs and broken legs. Moreover, they are bred for speed at the expense of their bone mass and general health, and they are pushed beyond their natural abilities during races. It is also quite common for them to develop debilitating medical conditions, such as gastric ulcers, ringbone and bleeding lungs.
The stifling heat, pounding on the track and the tight reins cause the horse’s heartbeat to increase by up to 250 beats per minute, which can lead to collapse and death. Furthermore, a horse’s ribcage can break open as a result of the stress and physical exhaustion of the race. As a result of growing awareness, some racetracks have taken steps to improve the lives of horses. These improvements include limiting the number of times a horse can be struck during a race and introducing financial penalties (loss of riding fees) for jockeys who strike their mounts.
A steward, a supervisor of racing officials and a trained animal rights activist, is usually present to monitor the activities on the race course. Stewards are required to inspect the horse’s veterinary records and are trained to assess injuries and illnesses on the course. They may call on veterinarians or racetrack personnel to examine the animal if necessary.
Lastly, the sulking and whimpering of a horse in the stable after a bad race is a telltale sign that it is injured or unwell. Sadly, few horses who are not fit for the track are retired to pastures, as owners prefer to sell them to slaughterhouses in Canada, Mexico and Japan where they can be turned into dog food or glue.
If you enjoy betting on horse races, please reconsider. Instead, put your money on a football game or other sport that treats its participants as willing athletes rather than as slaves. Moreover, you can do your part to help abolish the industry by boycotting it. Spectators who sit around sipping mint juleps are contributing to the financial ruin of this exploitative system.