What is the point in horse racing?

Question

Do the horses get anything out of it?

Answer 1

Thoroughbreds have been selectively bred for close to 350 years now to RUN. I have to believe that most Thoroughbreds love to run and get some kick out of racing or they wouldn't do well. A horse that didn't enjoy the environment and didn't like to run would fail to perform at a level that would cause owners/breeders to keep him or her in the gene pool.

I have heard far too many trainers and jockeys make the observation that racehorses, especially the really classy ones, know when they've won a race to believe that the horses are just blindly running down the track because the jockey is beating on them. When you watch a stretch run where two horses are in close quarters duking it out for the lead and you see them pinning their ears back and digging deeper for more speed because they do not want to be passed, you have to believe that there's a fire inside them that makes them want to run and win.

Do the horses get anything out of it? When you watch some horses coming back after they've won a race, you have to believe that there is some enjoyment the horse gets, that they know that they've done well and are being praised for it. Most horses do like to please people and revel in attention and being made much of.

On a slightly different level, mares and uncastrated male horses get the chance to become breeding stock when they do well. I don't think they understand this when they are running, but it certainly is a benefit the best ones get.

I think the bottom line for the individual horse is that when he or she runs well and wins (or comes close), the humans who are caretakers reward the horse with praise, petting, special treats and other attention, and most horses love this. That's one of the really great things about horses-- they try so hard to please us most of the time, and they are willing to put so much effort into doing what we ask that it can be scary. They're big-hearted animals with all the "try" in the world.

Answer 2

How could you determine that with any precision? Ask a horse?

No, seriously, if you've ever seen horses run together you would see that most of the time they enjoy it. I have personally seen a horse "beaming" from the attention she gets when she wins. I personally saw Russell Baze ride Lost In The Fog and win by many lengths and it was obvious the horse was in heaven at the time. Of course, just as in human populations, there is always one with a bad personality that tries to buck anyone off its back/refuses to race/bites people. But ask anyone in this forum who owns a horse (I presently do not, although I used to) that horses and humans can develop a serious bond over time. I remember fondly many horses that I would prefer to be around than some people (like my back-stabbing ex-wife).

Answer 3

I think that there are horses that love to run, but if you are asking if horses actually get anything out of doing it, the answer is probably no. Horses are raced because humans have learned how to exploit the animals' natural defense against its enemies in the wild- namely, speed. We race horses for money, and because races are exciting to watch and participate in. Bur racing, as I'm sure you know, has a dark, ugly side. Right now, most horses are raced while they are still very physically immature, and this often leads to breakdowns and sometimes to tragedies (think Barbaro, Go For Wand, Ruffian, Union City, and a host of other famous horses that have broken down in major races) as well as great pain and suffering for the animals. There are cases where horses are not cared for properly- though this is usually rare at most tracks and farms because of the money involved. Sometimes, racing can also lead to human tragedies- there are cases of jockeys and exercise riders getting hurt and killed every year. Ron Turcotte, Secretariat's jockey, was paralyzed in a fall less than 3 years after he won the Triple Crown with that horse, and there are other cases like that one in the history of the sport. Hope that answers your question.

Answer 4

The point of horse racing is to see who has the fastest horse.

horses are noble creatures.

Do horses get anything out of it. Horses are animals and you cannot put human thinking and rationality behind.

Horses are natural runners who run in a herd mostly.

I guess my short answer of what horses get out of it is life as almost 100% of racehorses are planned. Therefore no horse racing no need for race horses.

Answer 5

Horses like to run, just as dogs do. But I am sure they don't have a concept of racing.
As for the point of racing, it is entertainment for people, People compete in races of all types (olympics) and people pay to watch, How about car racing, many different types from Drag racing to Indy 500, to 3 day long challange races.
And how about bicycle races, either on a track or on the road (tour De France) Barrel Races in Rodeo, Plane races in the desert. Racing is everywhere.

Answer 6

Horses are very intelligent. They are aware of being trained to be in top form and realize a competition. They understand if they win pride in doing so. Most owners and trainers reward their animals for doing well. It is sport not only to the people, but the horses as well.

Answer 7

Yes and no. Most of them get quality vet care and nutrition during their racing careers. After they retire though, many of them are sent to slaughter.

Some end up better than others.
Horses enjoy running, and you can sometimes see the wild ones racing each other in play. A horse who loves to run is going to enjoy racing more than one that doesn't.

Answer 8

I'm a jockey by trade here in Australia,and like me and the horse's ITS IN OUR BLOOD..

Answer 9

The same as as dogs. They instictively through breeding desire the run.

But the point (sports) escapes me also.
Like sport Yahoos who get excited and YELL 'We scored" I never see those guys on the play feild getting the poo kicked out of them!

Answer 10

no all the horse gets is whipped for nothing and a blanket of flowers that are probley fake