Day: February 10, 2025
The Dangers of a Horse Race
A horse race is a form of close competition where the winner is determined by the fastest time. This type of competition is typically held at a track or on a race course where horses are forced to compete at breakneck speeds in order to win the race. While this type of racing can be quite exciting for spectators it is extremely hard on the horses. Horses do not reach their full musculoskeletal maturity until they are about six years old, but they are often thrust into intensive training at the age of 18 months and then raced at two. This can cause serious injury to the horses and leads to a lot of suffering. Spectators at a horse race are often encouraged to cheer on a particular horse, and this can be very stressful on the animals. This type of pressure can make them feel like they are in a cage, and it can also lead to behavioral issues. This is particularly true when a person yells and shouts at the horse, as this can make it feel like it is under attack. Horses can also develop a fear of running at breakneck speeds, which can make them act spooky or nervous. As the sport of horse racing grew in popularity, people began breeding them specifically to be fast. During this time, hot-blooded European horses were crossbred with native cold-blooded breeds to improve their speed and stamina. This type of horse became known as the “breed for speed” or Hobbies, and it was used by knights to win battles. Later on, this style of horse was used to carry heavy armor. Eventually, the knights no longer needed to transport so much weight and speed became more important than stamina. This led to the creation of shorter races, and horses were bred to run them quickly. Horses are often forced to run at very high speeds in very close proximity to other horses, which can cause injuries and even death. The most common injuries are laminitis, a painful and disfiguring condition in the feet; colic, a terrifying abdominal disorder; respiratory problems; neurological conditions; and parasitic infestations. Sadly, many horses die at the track. Some are euthanized due to illness or injury, while others are slaughtered for meat. A number of animal rights activists are concerned about the horse welfare issues in thoroughbred racing. One of the biggest issues is that of naturalness, which has a large influence on breeding regulations and the treatment of racehorses. This study aims to explore how key industry and animal advocacy informants conceptualise naturalness within the context of some common racing practices that may impact the animals’ welfare. The study involves semi-structured interviews and photo elicitation. The findings suggest that animal advocates and the industry have a different interpretation of naturalness, which can impact how they perceive some racing practices. This may have implications for how the animals are bred and trained in the future.
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