Horse race is a sport in which horses are ridden and compete against each other on a course that may be dirt, turf, or an enclosed track. This is a popular spectator event and also a major source of gambling. Many different rules, regulations, and traditions govern the sport. The sport has evolved over time to adapt to new technological advances and changes in society, but it still retains much of its old culture. Horse races have been held throughout history and in various civilizations, including Ancient Greece, Rome, Babylon, and Syria. The sport is often a key element of myth and legend, such as the contest between Odin’s steeds on Hrungnir in Norse mythology.
In recent years, horse racing has benefited from a number of technological advances that improve safety and accuracy. The use of thermal imaging cameras can detect overheating post-race, MRI scanners and X-rays can pick up a variety of minor or major health issues, and 3D printing produces casts, splints, and prosthetics for injured or ailing horses.
The advent of electronic data collection and analysis also helps to improve horse racing. These tools enable trainers to study a horse’s performance in a race and predict its chances of winning. This technology allows trainers to make adjustments to a horse’s training routine to increase its chances of winning a race.
However, horse racing is not immune to the temptations of illegal drugs and doping. While the sport is dominated by well-meaning, hardworking professionals, there are those who seek to gain an advantage at all costs. Doping has become a major problem in the sport, as is evidenced by the presence of doping agents in most horse races. Trainers are tempted to give their horses illegal substances to improve their performance, such as a diuretic called Lasix. The drug is administered to most thoroughbreds prior to the start of a race, and its function is to prevent pulmonary bleeding that occurs during hard running.
A common injury in horse racing is a fracture of the sesamoid bones, which are two small bones located at the back of the ankle joint. These fractures are usually treated with surgery, and they can be caused by a variety of injuries. These include a simple fracture (along a single line), abaxial fractures (the side of the bone away from the joint), or a basilar fracture, which occurs through the bottom of the bone.
A study published in 2017 analyzed more than 108,000 articles about horse races from print and online news outlets in the United States. The research found that journalists who framed elections as horse races rather than policy contests harm voters, candidates, and the news industry itself. The study was conducted by Sean Jeremy Westwood, an associate professor of government at Dartmouth College, Solomon Messing, a senior engineering manager at Twitter, and Yphtach Lelkes, an associate professor of communication at the University of Pennsylvania. The research was published in the journal Communication.