When the phrase horse race is used in a political context, it often refers to a close, tight competition. But the term has a long history and many possible meanings.
Horse racing, like any other competitive sport, involves practice. Just as an athlete will train hard to improve his or her performance, a horse must learn to channel its energy effectively and to change leads on command. The latter requires training a horse to use both sides of its body in equal measure, especially around the turns. It must learn to run in a circle and to pace itself throughout the race, preventing exhaustion. It must also learn to concentrate on the task at hand, even while interacting with other runners and preparing to enter the starting gate.
In the early years of modern horse racing, horses lined up in a straight line or in a crowded enclosure, and the gate would open or someone waved a flag to start the race. But in 1939, Clay Puett introduced the electric starting gate at Lansdowne Park in Vancouver, Canada. Now, horses are led into a stall-like gate that is made up of front and rear gates. The stall doors remain closed until the race begins and are opened by a button hit by a starter when all the horses are in the gate. Once a runner is in the gate, the start button is hit, and the race is on.
It might seem strange that a wildly popular, highly regulated form of gambling would need to depend on government subsidies to keep it alive. But proponents of the industry argue that it stimulates a multibillion-dollar equine economy, from breeders to trainers to farmers who grow carrots and hay. It also generates billions in taxes that support the state and pay for those purses.
Companies employing a horse race to select a new CEO should understand that this type of selection process may not be the best for them or their leadership culture. While the technique can produce a good leader, it can also cause problems deeper within an organization. For example, a successful candidate might alienate other senior-level executives who had aligned themselves with an unsuccessful contender.
A horse that is confined to an unnatural environment and forced to compete against other horses for food, water and shelter might suffer mental or emotional stress. This can manifest itself in abnormal behavior, including biting and cribbing, which are not uncommon in some racehorses, according to animal-behavior expert Dr. Nicholas Dodman of Tufts University. Those suffering from this behavior often display symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
Aside from the financial benefits, horse racing can be an exciting and exhilarating sport to watch. But if you’re a fan of the sport, it’s important to take precautions to protect yourself and your personal information. Here are some tips to help you enjoy the game safely and responsibly: