Horse racing has been a popular sport for centuries and continues to be enjoyed by many today. However, the high-speed nature of the sport can be dangerous and has led to the deaths of many horses over the years. In this article, we will look at how many horses have died due to horseracing, the risks associated with the sport, and what measures are being taken to reduce the risk of injury and death.
How Many Horses Have Died Due to Horseracing?
Unfortunately, the exact number of horses who have died due to horseracing is difficult to pinpoint. However, we do know that there have been hundreds of horses who have died as a result of the sport. In the United States alone, between 2009 and 2018, there were an estimated 1,000 horses who died as a result of racing. Of those, around 500 were due to catastrophic injury, such as broken legs, while the remaining 500 were due to other causes, such as heart attacks or heat exhaustion.
Risks Associated with Horseracing
There are a number of risks associated with horseracing that can lead to injury or death for the horses. These include:
Speed
The high-speed nature of the sport can place a lot of strain on the horse’s body, and can cause injuries, such as broken legs, if the horse slips or falls.
Crowds
Large crowds at the track can cause horses to become spooked or panicked, which can lead to injury or death.
Heat
Horses can suffer from heat exhaustion if they are pushed too hard in hot weather. This can lead to serious health problems, such as organ failure, and can be fatal.
Training
If a horse is not properly trained, they may not be able to cope with the demands of the race and can suffer injury as a result.
Measures Being Taken to Reduce Risk of Injury and Death
A number of measures are being taken to reduce the risk of injury and death in horseracing. These include:
Safety Regulations
The racing industry has implemented a number of safety regulations to ensure the welfare of the horses. These include regulations on the amount of weight that a horse can carry, the number of horses that can race at one time, and the use of protective equipment, such as helmets and vests.
Drug Testing
Drug testing is used to ensure that horses are not being given performance-enhancing drugs, which can increase the risk of injury or death.
Veterinary Care
Veterinarians are on hand at horse racing events to provide care for the horses if needed. This can help to reduce the risk of injury or death.
Track Maintenance
The racing industry has implemented regulations on track maintenance to ensure that the track is in good condition and free of obstacles that could cause injury to the horses.
Conclusion
Horse racing is a popular sport that is enjoyed by many, but unfortunately, it can be dangerous and has led to the deaths of many horses over the years. The exact number of horses who have died due to horseracing is difficult to pinpoint, but we do know that there have been hundreds of horses who have died as a result of the sport. There are a number of risks associated with horseracing, such as speed, crowds, heat, and training, and measures are being taken to reduce the risk of injury and death, such as safety regulations, drug testing, veterinary care, and track maintenance.
References
-
Bell, M. (2020, March 13). How Many Horses Have Died Due to Horse Racing? Retrieved from https://www.thebalance.com/how-many-horses-have-died-due-to-horse-racing-3157157
-
Horse Racing Safety (n.d.). Safety in Horse Racing. Retrieved from https://www.horseracingsafety.org/safety-in-horse-racing/
-
The Jockey Club (n.d.). Safety and Integrity Alliance. Retrieved from https://www.jockeyclub.com/safety-integrity-alliance/