A horse race is a sporting event in which jockeys (riders) compete with each other in order to win a race. Horses are bred and trained for racing, and the sport has become a global industry with major events like the Dubai World Cup and Breeders’ Cup attracting top horses and fans from around the world. A growing awareness of the cruel side of horse racing is pushing for improvements in animal welfare and training practices, but it is still a dangerous sport for the horses. Many people choose to boycott racing and bet on other sports, recognizing that their money helps to prop up an exploitative system.

The most common type of horse race is a flat track, in which horses run on a level surface, such as dirt or turf. A horse’s speed and endurance are tested, with the winning racer determined by the total number of laps completed in a given time. This type of race can be very challenging for the horse, as it requires them to sprint all out at a furious pace. Horses often develop maladies as a result of this, including ulcers and heart attacks. Injuries to fetlocks and tendons, which can be exacerbated by exercise and hot weather, are also common.

Thoroughbred races are the most popular horse races, and feature horses of varying ages and abilities competing against each other. They are usually ranked based on their performance in the previous race. A popular handicapping ranking is the Beyer, which assigns a number to each runner and takes into account factors like final time and track conditions.

Another type of horse race is a steeplechase, in which horses carry much more weight than they would in a standard race and are thus disadvantaged in the competition. This type of race is very fast and requires a great deal of agility from the horse, as they must jump over obstacles while carrying a considerable amount of weight. It is very dangerous for both the horse and the jockey, and can lead to fatal injuries.

In a steeplechase, horses’ heartbeats can increase up to tenfold during the race, from a normal 25 beats per minute to a debilitating 250 beats. This can cause exhaustion, which often leads to sudden collapse and death. Injuries to the neck, back, and legs are also common, as are sprains and fractures.

The most extreme and controversial form of horse racing is the Suicide Race, held twice a year in Obihiro on Japan’s remote Hokkaido island. It involves draft horses that weigh more than twice as much as a typical thoroughbred, pulling sleds along a 200-metre sand track with two hills. The horses wear traditional racing silks and are controlled by jockeys from their sleds after exiting a wide stall from a starting gate. It is billed as “Cowboys and Indians in the Wild West,” but is actually a terrifying spectacle for both the horses and spectators. After the race, the horses are slaughtered for meat and other products.