The horse race is a global sport with its origins dating back to the Greek Olympic Games in 700 to 40 B.C. From there, it spread to neighboring countries including China, Persia, and Arabia. Today, horse racing is considered to be one of the most popular and most prestigious sports worldwide. It is also a highly lucrative industry with millions of people participating in races around the world.
But what many people do not know about horse races is the dark side of the industry, which includes overbreeding, injuries and breakdowns, drug use, and slaughter. In addition, the equine industry often places a greater emphasis on profits than animal welfare. As a result, horses are forced to endure extreme physical stress and are subjected to psychological trauma. In some cases, these injuries can even lead to death.
In fact, it is not uncommon for horses to die during or after a race. The cause of death may be cardiovascular collapse, a ruptured spine, or a broken leg. Some horses are found to have bled from their lungs, which is commonly known as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Others have sustained severe injuries from collisions with other horses, the track, or their own jockeys.
Another common cause of death is a fatal heart attack, which can be caused by strenuous workouts, excessive weight carried on the body, and poor diet. In addition, horses with untreated or misdiagnosed illnesses and injuries can suffer from heart failure. Lastly, in order to achieve high speeds during races, horses are frequently overworked and pushed past their limits. Many are also given cocktails of legal and illegal drugs in order to mask injuries and boost performance.
As a result of this excessive stress, many horses will experience painful and deadly breakdowns. The most common breakdowns include limb injuries, fractured legs, and head and neck trauma. Many horses are also prone to an extremely dangerous condition called laminitis, which is characterized by debilitating inflammation of the hooves and an inability to stand up or move.
In addition to these dangerous conditions, many racehorses are bred and born too young. These immature animals are thrust into intensive training at 18 months and then raced before their bones and ligaments have fully developed. Furthermore, these young horses are typically conditioned to race at a much faster pace than they would normally run in a normal workout. Most racehorses are bet to win, placed or show. Place bets pay off if the horse comes in first or second while showing pays out if the horse finishes in either first, second or third. These bets put a lot of stress on an already fragile frame. In addition, most trainers use a system of whipping and kicking to get their horses to race. This can be very damaging to a young, inexperienced horse and causes injuries such as blisters and bruising. In addition, it can increase the risk of a serious injury such as a broken leg or heart attack.
