The RSPCA’s Guide to Horse Racing
Horse racing is a traditional sport that involves a contest of speed or stamina between two or more horses, often with humans riding on their backs. It is one of the world’s oldest sports, and it has evolved from a primitive contest to an extravagant spectacle with huge fields of runners, sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment, and immense sums of money. But the basic tenet remains the same: The horse that crosses the finish line first is the winner.
The RSPCA supports the development of a national system to identify and record each racehorse’s life history, including its time on the track. This will help to minimise injury and enable us to provide appropriate alternative roles for them when they retire from racing. It will also enable the industry to adopt responsible breeding practices, reduce the number of horses bred, and provide a better quality of life for those that do make it to the track.
There are a wide variety of races held around the world, from flat races to jumps. Some are open to all breeds and ages, while others have restricted entry. The most prestigious races, such as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Melbourne Cup, Epsom Derby, and Dubai World Cup, are open to horses of the highest quality that meet specific criteria. These criteria may include the horse’s pedigree, its age and sex, its trainer and jockey, or its previous performance in other races.
To be eligible to participate in a horse race, the horse must be registered with the racing authority and must have a sire and dam that are both purebred members of the same breed. In addition, the horse must be in good health to compete. To ensure this, veterinarians perform a series of tests on each horse before the race starts. The most common of these tests are a full blood count, chest x-rays, and an electrocardiogram.
Before the start of a horse race, horses are paraded and cantered to their starting stalls. A team of handlers and a designated race starter are responsible for loading them into the stalls at a specified time to ensure the race can begin on schedule. This process is strictly regulated and adhered to by all involved in the sport.
There are many risks to participating in a horse race, both for the horse and its jockey. For example, a horse can lose its footing while jumping and fall, which can result in serious injuries. It is also possible for a jockey to fall off during a race, leading to both horses being injured or killed. In addition, the horse may be trampled by other horses in the event of a fall. These dangers are why the RSPCA supports a ban on jumps racing.
