A horse race is a form of competitive contest in which horses are put into a starting gate or in a straight line behind a barrier and pushed forward to start their run. This is different from an auto race or other forms of motorsport in which the cars are driven at full speed and compete for position. Usually, the winner is decided by who crosses the finishing line first. However, if the finish is too close for the stewards to decide, a photo finish will be used. In this case, the stewards will study photographs of the race and determine who crossed the finish line first.
When the word horse race is used in a political context, it often refers to a contest between two candidates in which mudslinging and attack ads overshadow policy issues. This kind of coverage is referred to as horse race journalism by many journalism scholars and critics.
Those who oppose the horse race say that it is a waste of time and money. They argue that a more effective way of choosing a top executive is to provide several skilled executives with the opportunity to vie for the role in a series of challenging assignments, stretch roles and other development opportunities. This approach gives talented employees a clear view of the path to the company’s highest ranks, and it signals that the board and management have faith in the organization’s people and its leadership development processes.
The horse racing industry is plagued by cruelty, including abusive training practices for young horses, drug use and the transport of horses to slaughterhouses. The humane movement has made significant improvements in the lives of racehorses, but it is essential that more be done.
To ensure the health of horses, trainers frequently administer cocktails of legal and illegal drugs that mask pain, prevent injuries and increase performance. Many horses die during races due to the condition known as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, and some collapse on the track after suffering breakdowns. The humane movement encourages everyone to boycott racing and to make their voices heard by calling for an end to this exploitative business model.
The term horse race is also used to refer to the contest between two horses that is a major feature of an event such as a rodeo. Typically, these events involve the riding of horses by amateur and professional cowboys who have a high degree of skill. This is a dangerous sport and riders must undergo a rigorous medical exam before being allowed to compete. If a rider is injured, he or she must retire from competition and may not participate in another rodeo until the injury has healed. A horse’s heartbeat can increase tenfold during a race to an excess of 250 beats per minute, and this can lead to death or exhaustion.