A horse race is a sporting event in which horses compete in order to win a prize. Horses are trained to run fast and jump hurdles or a finish line fence while jockeys ride them and try to guide them into the winning position. In addition, there are a number of rules that govern how horse races are run. Whether you are watching horse races on television or attending one in person, there is a lot to take in.
Most horse races are run on a flat surface, but some include steeplechases or jump races (or both). In order for a horse to be eligible to race in any event, it must have a pedigree that shows that its sire and dam are purebred individuals of the same breed as the race. The horses are also required to wear a race-day hat and be wearing the correct shoes for the type of race they will be participating in. In addition, the horse must have a jockey who is licensed to race that particular breed of horse and must be in good health.
Before a race, a trainer will plan out the schedule for his or her horse for a specific period of time. This is known as a condition book and it provides a framework for the training regimen for that specific horse over that period. Many trainers will have multiple horses competing in different races during this period to ensure that all of the horses get a chance to have success.
These plans are often subject to change at a moment’s notice due to things like weather, track conditions and unforeseen circumstances. When races do not fill or extra races are added to the schedule, it is often necessary for trainers to be flexible with their plans. This can be frustrating for owners who have made travel arrangements in anticipation of a particular race day and for the trainers who are hoping their horses will be well suited to the event.
In the earliest horse races, only a few horses were entered and the owners provided the purse. Then as demand grew for more public racing, more races were created. Eligibility rules were established based on age, sex, gender and birthplace, as well as the experience of the horses and the qualifications of riders. These agreements were recorded by disinterested third parties, who came to be known as keepers of the match books.
In modern times, nearly all thoroughbreds receive a race-day injection of Lasix, a diuretic that is marked on the race form. This is intended to prevent pulmonary bleeding, which hard running causes in a small percentage of the animals. The drug also helps them to unload epic amounts of urine, twenty or thirty pounds worth at a time. This is a big part of the reason why a horse can look so dehydrated after finishing a race. Horses, especially those that are racing on oval tracks, give their lower legs a pounding that can strain ligaments, tendons and joints. To reduce this stress, horses often are shod with special shoes designed to absorb the impact.