Horse racing is an ancient sport that has captivated civilizations around the world. It is a sport where a jockey, who sits astride a racehorse, attempts to guide it over a set distance while overcoming obstacles and other competitors.

The sport is incredibly popular and has been widely adopted in different cultures, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Besides allowing bettors to place wagers, it also provides an opportunity for participants to showcase their riding skills and physical endurance. The sport also serves as a form of entertainment and an outlet for the public to relax and unwind. The sport is governed by a series of rules that dictate the way horses are conditioned and trained, as well as how they compete in races. It is important to note that despite being a popular sport, horse racing is not without its share of controversy. The sport has been criticised by animal welfare groups for the treatment of horses, and even the stewards are often in the spotlight for their decisions during a race.

In order to win a horse race, the horse and rider must reach the finish line before any other competing horse and riders. If the horses are unable to be separated, the winner will be determined by a photo finish. This involves a team of stewards or officials carefully examining a photograph of the finish line to determine which horse broke the plane first. In rare cases where the winner cannot be determined, the dead heat rule applies and the top two finishers will receive equal prize money.

Regardless of the outcome of a race, all horse races are a risky endeavor for the animals involved. Many horses are pushed past their limits and suffer catastrophic injuries during or after the race. In addition, a number of horses will experience exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, which causes them to bleed from their lungs. This can result in death.

It is possible to prevent the majority of these deaths by implementing basic safety protocols. However, the industry must decide if it really cares about its horses and take some complicated, expensive, and untraditional steps to protect them. This would involve a profound ideological reckoning on the macro business and industry level as well as within the minds of its horsemen and women.

Until then, we will continue to witness the tragic, painful, and oftentimes violent deaths of the most majestic of all creatures — the horse. It’s time to stop taking the lives of these animals for granted and demand a change.