Horse races are exciting, but they can be dangerous for the horses. One study found that one thoroughbred dies every day on a racetrack, and another estimated that about 3 percent of all the horse races that are run in North America are stopped because of injuries.
In addition, the horses are forced to move at high speeds on a hard track that can cause them pain and discomfort. This can lead to fractures, ligament damage, and even death. This is why it is important for the horse to be healthy and fit before the horse race begins.
To prepare the horse for racing, the trainer will increase the speed of the horse during training, and the jockey will learn how to handle the horse in order to keep it safe from injury. The trainer will also ensure that the horse eats and drinks plenty of water before the race starts. The horses will be shod and may be given a special pain reliever to reduce the risk of injury during the race.
In the beginning, horse races were a form of entertainment for wealthy people and royalty. These events were regulated and limited to a certain number of participants, and rules were established regarding the age, sex, birthplace, and previous performance of the horses. Over time, the demand for more public racing led to larger fields and races for horses of all ages. By the mid-18th century, the sport had grown so popular that it became a national pastime.
Despite the fact that horse racing is often viewed as a sport, it is not always treated as such by the media. A study by Johanna Dunaway and Regina G. Lawrence of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication finds that horse race coverage in print newspapers is more prevalent during close elections and in the weeks leading up to them. The research focuses on stories about horse races published in the major newspapers between Sept. 1 and Election Day in 2004 and 2006.
The eleven horses lined up to start the race, with War of Will, that year’s Preakness winner, taking the early lead. The other contenders, including McKinzie and Mongolian Groom, were a few lengths back. As the pack accelerated, you could see the horses’ lower legs giving a terrible pounding against the dirt, straining tendons, ligaments, and joints. To prevent them from kicking each other, the jockeys put a shadow roll on their noses, which helps to make them less visible. This is important, because horses, being prey animals, do not like to be kicked. They may even try to kick themselves, so the jockeys have to be very careful.
