Horse racing has entranced spectators for centuries. The spectacle of jockeys riding steeds around race courses at speeds of more than 30 miles per hour thrills fans and draws wagers from all over the world. However, the sport of horse racing is not without its dark side. Whether suffering horrific accidents at the track or in training, being shipped to slaughterhouses or dying of natural causes, horses pay a heavy price for this multibillion-dollar industry.
Aside from the risk of injury, most race horses are forced to perform at extreme levels of exertion for long periods of time. This puts incredible stress on the animals, which can lead to serious medical conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage, exercise-induced laminitis and equine metabolic syndrome. In addition, horses may be subjected to cocktails of legal and illegal drugs intended to mask injuries and enhance performance.
One of the most important skills a racehorse must learn is how to change leads on command. The legs on one side of the body extend farther when running than the other, so a runner normally runs in his right lead on straightaways and his left lead rounding the turns. A runner who fails to switch his lead will tire more quickly and won’t be as effective at channeling his energy throughout the entire race.
During the preparation for a race, many horses will go through routine jogs and gallops in the early hours of the morning. A trainer will gradually increase the speed and intensity of these workouts, preparing the horse for the demands of the race. After the workouts, a veterinarian will examine the horse to make sure there are no injuries. The veterinarian will also check the heart, lungs and respiratory system to ensure that the horse is ready to compete.
Once the veterinary examinations have been completed, the race secretary will publish the entry list for the day’s races. Each race will have a specific category, such as allowance, claiming or stakes. Authorized owners can “put in a claim” for a horse at a specified price prior to the race. If the horse wins, the original owner receives the prize money plus the claiming price.
A claiming race is open to horses that have not won a certain number of races or haven’t won a race worth a particular amount of prize money. These races are a great way to discover whether the horse has the potential to become a competitive racehorse.
Proponents of the horse race approach argue that an overt contest for the top job will motivate employees to strive harder and develop into candidates for senior roles in the future. However, critics point out that this type of succession planning can be a waste of time, especially if the company’s culture and organizational structure are not conducive to a horse race. The board should carefully consider the company’s leadership development processes and decide whether an overt contest for the top job is the best path to success.