A horse race is a competitive event in which horses, either ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies, compete against each other to the finish line. There are many different types of races, ranging from flat courses to steeplechases. Each type of race requires a different set of skills and equipment to be successful.
Throughout history, there has been a great deal of controversy in the sport. Some of the controversy has revolved around drugs, while others have centered on the sport’s rules and regulations. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether or not horse racing should be banned, a growing body of research suggests that it should be subjected to closer scrutiny by journalists and regulators.
Modern horse racing dates back to the 12th century, when English knights returning from the Crusades bred swift Arab horses with their own mares. This resulting thoroughbreds had both speed and endurance, making them ideal for wagering by the nobility. In England, the sport grew rapidly and became popular among the common people as well. A variety of betting systems developed, including match races, in which two or more horses would run against each other and the winner was determined by a wager. A record of all such agreements was kept by disinterested third parties, who called themselves keepers of the match book.
By the mid-18th century, organized racing in North America was developing, and eligibility rules were being established based on age, sex, birthplace, and previous performance. Horses were also being trained to run over a wider range of courses, such as turf and dirt. These changes made the sport more accessible to ordinary Americans, and the demand for better and faster horses increased.
Despite improvements in medical treatment, death at the track remains a frequent occurrence. The stress of running on a hard surface at high speeds can lead to heart failure and other cardiovascular problems in animals that are mostly still in their adolescence. Other causes of death include pulmonary hemorrhage, broken necks and spines, severed limbs, and head trauma from collisions with other horses or the track itself.
Even when the weather is clear and conditions are safe, racehorses remain vulnerable to injury. A small amount of jarring contact with a rock or other object can cause them to lose their footing and fall from the sulky, or pull up and lose their balance. Injuries may be minor, such as a cut on the shin or a sore shin, or major, like a torn suspensory ligament. The latter can cause the horse to break down during a race, leaving its body covered in blood and with a shattered leg dangling by skin.