Horse races are thrilling events that have been a part of our culture and history for centuries. But the truth is, this sport is anything but fair for the horses who are forced to participate in it. Horse racing is a cruel form of gambling that puts the lives of these beautiful animals at risk. It is time that we call for reforms to improve the treatment of racehorses.
The earliest recorded horse race was a wager between two noblemen in 1752. Since then, organized horse racing has spread to countries around the world. In North America, the sport was established by Colonel Richard Nicolls during the British occupation of New Amsterdam (now known as New York City). Nicolls laid out a 2-mile course and offered a silver cup to the winner. He also created the first stables and began breeding racehorses to be fast.
Today, thoroughbreds are often bred for racing before they are even one year old. These young horses are forced to compete on hard, abrasive tracks at high speeds in unnatural conditions that cause many injuries. As a result, one in every 22 races results in an injury that prevents a horse from finishing, and three horses die every day because of catastrophic injuries at the track.
In addition to these physical ailments, the confined nature of life as a racehorse causes emotional and psychological trauma. In a hearing before the New York State Senate, equine veterinarian Kraig Kulikowski likened keeping 1,000-pound juveniles locked up for 23 hours per day in 12-by-12-foot stalls to locking a child up in a closet. Because they are not able to express their natural instincts, these horses often exhibit compulsive behavior, including biting and self-mutilation.
Many horses are subjected to cocktails of legal and illegal drugs that mask their pain and enhance their performance. As a result, many racehorses suffer from a deadly condition called exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, or bleeding from the lungs. This is caused by the stress of competition, and exacerbated by the tight spaces on the track. In order to avoid this condition, horses are given a cocktail of medications that can include anti-inflammatories and laxatives, as well as steroids and diuretics such as Lasix or Salix.
Despite these dangers, most horse races are won by the fastest horses on the racetrack. But this doesn’t always mean that betting to win is a smart idea. It is important to know how the odds of winning are calculated in order to make an informed decision about whether or not to place a bet.
When placing a bet, a punter must consider several factors, such as the number of runners and their relative speed. In addition, the punter must be familiar with track terms, such as: