Horse racing has entranced spectators for centuries, from ancient chariot races to modern-day events. A day at the track is not just about betting on the winner, however; it’s also a celebration of equestrian culture and tradition steeped in time-honored customs that continue to captivate audiences around the world.

The term “horse race journalism” has a negative connotation – it’s all about the odds, and not the issues that the candidates are trying to address. In a recent study, researchers found that large-chain newspapers were more likely to frame elections like a horse race, which can contribute to the hyperbole and mudslinging that surrounds these nail-biting contests.

Amid the clamor for more thorough examinations of horses, trainers and veterinarians are introducing a new approach that’s intended to put more emphasis on preventing injuries before they occur. The new protocol involves using a portable digital ultrasound machine to assess the horse’s muscles, bones and tendons. This information can then be used to identify a problem before it becomes a serious injury, such as an injury to the ligaments that connect the horse’s shin to its foot.

As a result, there may be fewer horses injured in training and on race days. This approach is being embraced by the Jockey Club, the breed registry for thoroughbreds, as well as by other racetracks across the country. While it may not prevent every accident, it’s a step in the right direction and may lead to safer races in the future.

Regardless of the industry’s claims that its animals are “born to run and love to compete,” it is undeniable that horse racing is unnatural. In the wild, horses run in herds and as a pack, not as individuals or single competitors, and they have many other natural instincts that are compromised in a racetrack setting. Moreover, winning a race is an artificial construct that can have a devastating effect on a horse.

As the sport faces challenges, animal activists are stepping up their efforts to pressure racetracks and the horse racing integrity board to ban the use of Lasix, a diuretic that increases a horse’s urine output. The drug is commonly used in all forms of horse racing, even though it is known to be detrimental to the health and welfare of the animals. In addition to causing dehydration, it can lead to colic and laminitis, a painful, often fatal condition that affects the digestive tract. Animal welfare activists believe that the only way to end the use of Lasix is to ban its use altogether. But many in the industry are unwilling to go that far, arguing that self-regulation is the best way to keep horse racing safe and clean. It’s also important to note that horse racing is a multibillion dollar industry, and many people depend on the jobs associated with it. In light of this, it’s essential to consider the impact that any policy changes might have on the industry and its workers.