Horseracing is one of the world’s most popular sporting events. There are many different types of races for all kinds of horses, but they all share one common trait: cruelty. There’s a lot that you don’t know about horse racing. Prepare to find out!
The Life Of A Racehorse
Normal horses aren't ridden until they are four years old, but racehorses are trained at ridden in races at as young as one year. A horse’s bones aren't fully developed when they are only yearlings, so often racehorses suffer from devastating leg injuries because they aren't fully grown.
Most racehorses are retired at age seven, but many are put to sleep or sent to slaughterhouses and glue factories before then. Thoroughbreds are expensive to keep, and owners that are only concerned about winning money often get rid of horses after their racing season or winning streak is over.
Most racehorses are retired at age seven, but many are put to sleep or sent to slaughterhouses and glue factories before then. Thoroughbreds are expensive to keep, and owners that are only concerned about winning money often get rid of horses after their racing season or winning streak is over.
The Sacrifices Made For Winning
In the horseracing world, winning is everything. Don’t let the owners fool you: the only reason they do it is for the prize money. Most owners will do anything to get their horses to win, even if it involves cheating.
Illegal drugs such as “lasix” and “bute” will numb pain, so horses will take these pills before racing. Whenever they get injured, they won’t feel the pain, so they will keep running. It is because of this that many injuries become worse than they should be. And that’s not all: racehorses take countless amounts of unhealthy steroids to multiply their strength and speed, which is isn’t allowed in racing.
Illegal drugs such as “lasix” and “bute” will numb pain, so horses will take these pills before racing. Whenever they get injured, they won’t feel the pain, so they will keep running. It is because of this that many injuries become worse than they should be. And that’s not all: racehorses take countless amounts of unhealthy steroids to multiply their strength and speed, which is isn’t allowed in racing.
In It To Win It
Horseracing by numbers: Each year, over 800 horses die from racing. Another 3,566 develop injuries so severe that they can’t continue racing.
In You Go: Some horses will get sick or injured weeks before a race. Owners usually push the horses into racing, even if they don’t feel healthy.The Sad Truth: Horses that fail to win often face death, and sadly, only the lucky few are retired to become riding horses.
In You Go: Some horses will get sick or injured weeks before a race. Owners usually push the horses into racing, even if they don’t feel healthy.The Sad Truth: Horses that fail to win often face death, and sadly, only the lucky few are retired to become riding horses.
Naming A Racehorse
The deadline for naming your racehorse is the February before it turns two years old. If your thoroughbred doesn’t have a name by then, you’ll be charged a late fee!
The owner will send in a list of their top six favorite horse names. The Jockey Club will decide which one the horse will use. Each name cannot be more than 18 characters long, including spaces and punctuation. Your names must be original: if you pick a name that is already in use or that sounds too much like a name of an excising racehorse, you must wait five years until that horse has retired to use the name.
The owner will send in a list of their top six favorite horse names. The Jockey Club will decide which one the horse will use. Each name cannot be more than 18 characters long, including spaces and punctuation. Your names must be original: if you pick a name that is already in use or that sounds too much like a name of an excising racehorse, you must wait five years until that horse has retired to use the name.
The Racehorse Diet
Most horses eat a haynet or two of hay each day, along with some feed mix, grain, or other energy-rich cereal. Racehorses, however, are forced to gain weight at an unnatural pace and are fed beet pulp to make their bodies even larger. Alfalfa, which is more rich in nutrients than hay, is fed as well. Don’t forget the energy-releasing minerals and vitamins!
This information is taken from the article Behind the Scenes: Horseracing in the Autumn 2011 issue.