Horse races are a time-honored tradition steeped in elegance and spectacle. Its culture and traditions are a testament to human and equine spirit, drawing in fans for the fashion, the horses, and the thrill of betting. The sport is as much a competition as it is an art form, with an enduring legacy that includes royal occasions and modern-day horse-racing festivals.
The word horse race was once used to refer to any close contest, whether it be a political or sporting event. But these days, as the presidential election reaches its final stretch, the term seems to have shifted back into a narrow meaning, at least when it is applied to the current contest. With mudslinging, name calling and attack ads all vying for the public’s attention, the real issues at stake in this election can easily get lost in the fray.
One such issue is the prevalence of ‘horse race coverage,’ in which reporters focus on how well candidates are doing and whose lead is growing or shrinking rather than on addressing policy questions that might actually change the course of history. A new study shows that such coverage can have a profound effect on the behavior of voters and on the way they view political contests.
The study, published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology, finds that people who are exposed to ‘horse race coverage’ tend to rate political contests more negatively. They also view politicians as less trustworthy and believe they have a poor understanding of complex issues. The researchers believe this kind of strategic news coverage contributes to the public’s cynicism about politics, especially among young people.
While the financial rewards for winning a horse race can be enormous, many horses are forced to compete in dangerously high-pressure conditions that can cause them serious injury and even death. For instance, a common occurrence is for a horse to bleed from its lungs (exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage) while racing, which may require it to be taken out of the race or euthanized.
In addition, horses often race on tracks that are not properly maintained, leading to a number of safety hazards for both the horses and their jockeys. The study found that some track surfaces were more likely to cause injuries than others, and it also found that horses were more likely to become injured when they jumped over hurdles or fences that are too low or were built on unnaturally sloped ground.
Despite these risks, racing proponents argue that the industry stimulates a multibillion-dollar economy for breeders and trainers and helps farmers who grow hay and carrots. And they defend the practice, saying that state governments subsidize the business and that many other sports receive similar benefits. However, PETA maintains that these incentives encourage breeding practices that promote speed over durability and can leave horses more prone to injury and death. Moreover, the organization says that the industry is using cocktails of legal and illegal drugs that mask injuries and enhance performance.
