What Happens Before a Horse Race?
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Horse races have entranced spectators for centuries. From ancient Olympic Games to today’s televised events, the thrill of feeling the earth shake beneath the thundering hooves of a 2,000-pound animal barreling down the stretch is a part of American culture. The sport is often associated with wagering, but a day at the track offers plenty more: food and drink, shopping, entertainment, and the opportunity to root for a winner.
Before the race starts, the horses participate in warmups, a series of light exercises to improve their physical condition and to learn how to work with jockeys or drivers. It’s also a time to practice their racing skills, allowing fans to observe how they perform and make educated guesses about what to expect when the starter’s gun fires.
The race begins with a short sprint to get the horses warmed up, and then they begin running over distances that range from about two miles to four miles. Longer races are referred to as “routes” in the United States, while they’re called “staying races” in Europe. Speed is crucial for winning sprint races, while endurance is required in longer ones.
A horse’s success or failure is determined by its performance in a variety of ways, including a test for drugs. It is a common practice for owners to give their horses illegal substances, known as “performance-enhancing drugs,” in order to gain an advantage over competitors. The problem is rampant, and random drug testing doesn’t catch every offending substance.
Once they aren’t winning races, many racehorses end up in slaughterhouses, where they are turned into glue and dog food or sold as meat in Canada, Mexico, and Japan, where it is a delicacy. Fortunately, there are some changes that could help to make the sport safer for these amazing animals. A zero-tolerance drug policy, turf (grass) tracks only, a ban on whipping, and competitive racing only after a horse’s third birthday are just a few things that would improve the lives of these animals immensely.