Horse racing is a form of competitive equestrian riding involving horses as competitors on flat tracks over a distance of one or more miles, usually on a level surface such as asphalt or dirt tracks. Each race can be classified into sprints, route races and stayers depending on speed and endurance required to win; some events have specific rules governing them such as mandating runners be of certain age/breed combinations while other rules such as setting minimum weight requirements have also been put in place to ensure fair play of this sport.
Horseracing began in ancient Greece, when riders attached their horses to two-wheeled carts or chariots for a game of chance. Over time, this sport gained in popularity, leading men to race horses on an official basis. Today it’s an international pastime and there are numerous types of races available — American Thoroughbred races, Arabian horse racing and European flat racing are just three such examples — with jumps races also popular as a variation characterized by large obstacles over long distances.
Modern horse racing is governed by laws that set forth regulations regarding the care, training and use of horses. These laws aim to safeguard their health as well as the wellbeing of spectators and uphold the integrity of the sport. Furthermore, various organizations dedicated to horse racing’s promotion and development exist such as The Jockey Club, American Horse Council, National Thoroughbred Racing Association and International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
Horse racing is unquestionably a huge business, yet its success depends on the horses themselves and their performance in races. To achieve this goal, feed and breeders provide horses that they hope will perform well and compete well at races – with top competitors being awarded substantial prize money and recognition.
To increase their odds of victory, horses are administered legal and illegal drugs to mask injuries and enhance performance. Horses that have been overworked or injured may experience exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage which is made worse by heat and humidity; blood loss limits a horse’s capacity for competition and Lasix is given in racing form with a boldface L to offset this condition.
Trainers administer Lasix and other drugs to their horses, such as sedatives and painkillers, through random drug testing of horses. While attempts are made by the horse racing industry to monitor drug use responsibly, many horses still overexert themselves beyond their limits and end up suffering significant stress or injury that eventually results in auction or slaughterhouse sales – an unfortunate outcome for all parties involved, particularly for their horses themselves.
