A horse race is a sport in which humans perch on the backs of thoroughbred horses, and they compel them to run around a course with varying distances and obstacles, jumping every hurdle (if present). The winner is the first one across the finish line. The race is a timed event, and the top three finishers receive a specific amount of prize money.
The sport is hugely popular with spectators and gamblers, and it has become a global industry, with competitions such as the Dubai World Cup and the Breeders’ Cup attracting fans from all over the world. Despite this popularity, the racing industry is plagued with problems including drug abuse, injuries and even the occasional fixing of races. Sadly, many horses are victims of this multibillion-dollar business, and most of their careers end with an unfortunate trip to the slaughterhouse.
On the track, horses are whipped to push them past their physical limits. Their heart rates can increase to an excessive 250 beats a minute, which causes them to collapse or die. They are also often injured in training or during races. These injuries can be devastating, causing pulmonary hemorrhage, fractured bones and severed ligaments. Despite these risks, trainers push their horses to win. They know that a signature win will bring in huge profits from wagers, and they also know that breeding them for a long career as fillies or mares can make them very wealthy.
These sensitive animals deserve better than the cruelty they endure. If more people boycotted horse races, it would put pressure on the industry to reform and treat horses as willing athletes instead of disposable commodities. Instead of putting a wager on a horse race, people should choose a sport like soccer where the players are willing participants rather than mistreated animals.
A horse’s career can last for several years, and owners can earn millions of dollars for a signature victory. However, once a horse stops winning, it’s not uncommon for it to be retired, injected with illegal performance-enhancing drugs and shipped off to the slaughterhouse. A few lucky ones may find homes as equestrian companions, but most will be killed or end up in the trough of an abattoir.
Those who support the horse race argue that an overt competition for the top job will motivate strong executives to work harder and ensure the best candidate gets the job. This, in turn, will boost the company’s competitiveness and growth. However, critics say that the practice can be destructive, particularly when it comes to succession planning. A horse race can dissuade a talented senior leader from aligning with an unsuccessful candidate, and it can limit the number of capable executives that the board has in reserve to fill critical roles. Moreover, if the top candidate is not the best fit for the organization, the horse race process can have lasting repercussions for the firm’s culture and performance.