Horse racing is a popular sport that has a rich history that spans across the globe. Although some people may not be able to understand the appeal of horse racing, it has made an impact in our society and culture for generations. The sport has evolved significantly over time, but the basics remain the same. In addition to the obvious, such as betting options and high speeds, there is another side to the sport that many people are unaware of. The sport is filled with injuries, drug use, and gruesome breakdowns. Behind the romanticized facade of Thoroughbred races is a world of abuse, drug use, and slaughter.
The first recorded horse race was in 700 to 40 B.C., and it quickly spread to the neighboring countries of Greece, China, India, and Persia. The sport eventually dominated the world, and it was widely practiced in Europe by the mid-18th century. During this period, the sport was heavily influenced by gambling and became a widespread form of entertainment. As the sport grew, rules were created to ensure fair play and the safety of horses.
In order to win, a horse must outrun its opponents. The sport has a high rate of injury, and one study found that one thoroughbred dies every day during a race. A horse may suffer from a multitude of injuries, from broken bones to lacerations and muscle tears. Many of these injuries result in death or permanent disability.
According to an article in The New Yorker, a horse that is forced to run so fast is often “encouraged” to continue going hard by being whipped or with cocktails of legal and illegal drugs, including sedatives, steroids, and diuretics, which are designed to mask pain and increase performance. Horses can also sustain a gruesome injury called exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, in which blood leaks from the lungs.
Despite these serious issues, the industry is making efforts to improve animal welfare. In 2011, a report commissioned by the Jockey Club revealed that horse racing is losing revenue, race days, and fans due to growing awareness of cruelty within the sport. Animal rights groups are continuing to pressure the industry, with PETA exposing a range of abuses, including drug use and abusive training practices for young horses.
The flying leap that Ken Real Bird makes sound so simple is actually a dangerous, chaotic dance of riders and horses from six teams trying to do the same thing at the same time in the same space. It is also not a natural behavior for horses. Their unnatural and confined environment inhibits their natural instincts, leading to emotional and psychological suffering. Symptoms include cribbing, biting on gates, contracting their neck muscles, and self-harm. According to an expert, these symptoms can lead to severe injuries, like a condylar fracture, which can be fatal. Jennifer Sully, an organizer with Horseracing Wrongs, organizes anti-horse race demonstrations most weekends at Laurel and Pimlico in Maryland.