The Conceptualisation of Naturalness in Horse Racing Practices
Horse races are a sport steeped in tradition, with iconic events like the Kentucky Derby with its famous “Run for the Roses” drawing in millions of spectators and generating billions of dollars. But they’re also a sport that continues to evolve, shaped by modern technological advances and increased awareness of animal welfare. It’s a delicate balance between preserving those traditions and embracing change that will define horse racing’s future.
In addition to its enduring popularity, horse racing is often associated with prestige and wealth, and many stables devote considerable resources to ensuring their horses are at peak physical condition for race day. Moreover, horse races are often a source of national pride and celebration, with events like Australia’s Melbourne Cup or the Japanese Japan Cup drawing crowds in record numbers.
One of the most significant factors influencing the future of horse racing is how society perceives its relationship with the natural world. The concept of what is “natural” has specific significance in the horse racing context, guiding breeding regulations and influencing horse training, handling and racing practices. This article explores how key industry and animal advocacy informants based in the US, Australia and UK conceptualise naturalness within the context of common racing practices that potentially impact horses’ welfare.
To answer this question, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 informants using both verbal and photo-elicitation methods. Several themes emerged from the analysis of the interview data. The most prominent theme was that horses should be trained and handled in ways that are as natural as possible. However, several key issues are also highlighted including the importance of maintaining a healthy work-to-rest ratio for horses, the importance of establishing a positive relationship between trainers and jockeys, and the need to incorporate new technologies into racing.
Horse races are run over distances ranging from 440 yards (400 m) to over four miles (6.4 km). The speed of the leaders at each stage of the race determines the type of race – sprints are a test of acceleration, while long-distance races are a test of endurance.
In a handicap race, the racing secretary assigns weights designed to equalize the chances of each entrant to win the race. This is done by comparing each horse’s winning performances and its previous race results to the overall performance of all other entrants. Runners are then awarded prizes based on their place in the race and the total amount of money wagered by the winners. This system is known as parimutuel wagering. In addition, a runner may receive additional prizes depending on the number of wins and losses, the length of the race, the track conditions and other variables.
Horse races are a sport steeped in tradition, with iconic events like the Kentucky Derby with its famous “Run for the Roses” drawing in millions of spectators and generating billions of dollars. But they’re also a sport that continues to evolve, shaped by modern technological advances and increased awareness of animal welfare. It’s a delicate balance between preserving those traditions and embracing change that will define horse racing’s future. In addition to its enduring popularity, horse racing is often associated with prestige and wealth, and many stables devote considerable resources to ensuring their horses are at peak physical condition for race day. Moreover, horse races are often a source of national pride and celebration, with events like Australia’s Melbourne Cup or the Japanese Japan Cup drawing crowds in record numbers. One of the most significant factors influencing the future of horse racing is how society perceives its relationship with the natural world. The concept of what is “natural” has specific significance in the horse racing context, guiding breeding regulations and influencing horse training, handling and racing practices. This article explores how key industry and animal advocacy informants based in the US, Australia and UK conceptualise naturalness within the context of common racing practices that potentially impact horses’ welfare. To answer this question, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 informants using both verbal and photo-elicitation methods. Several themes emerged from the analysis of the interview data. The most prominent theme was that horses should be trained and handled in ways that are as natural as possible. However, several key issues are also highlighted including the importance of maintaining a healthy work-to-rest ratio for horses, the importance of establishing a positive relationship between trainers and jockeys, and the need to incorporate new technologies into racing. Horse races are run over distances ranging from 440 yards (400 m) to over four miles (6.4 km). The speed of the leaders at each stage of the race determines the type of race – sprints are a test of acceleration, while long-distance races are a test of endurance. In a handicap race, the racing secretary assigns weights designed to equalize the chances of each entrant to win the race. This is done by comparing each horse’s winning performances and its previous race results to the overall performance of all other entrants. Runners are then awarded prizes based on their place in the race and the total amount of money wagered by the winners. This system is known as parimutuel wagering. In addition, a runner may receive additional prizes depending on the number of wins and losses, the length of the race, the track conditions and other variables.