5 Myths About Horse Racing That You Must Know

Published on: 22 February 2020 Last Updated on: 26 February 2020
Horse Racing

Horse racing is one of the most popular sports around the world and has a huge following from England to Dubai and everywhere in between. But, there are a lot of assumptions made about the sport, so let’s set them straight. Here are the biggest myths people believe about the sport of horse racing.

5 Myths About Horse Racing:

1. Any Old Horse Can Win or Run in a Race

Old Horse

Thoroughbred horse racing is just that, exclusive to thoroughbred horses. These horses have a lineage traced back to one of three stallions and only then are eligible to compete. Not only are races limited to thoroughbreds, but the training required to turn a horse into a winner is second to none, being broken in at around 18-months-old, making these horses the only ones capable of running 1 ¼ mile in two minutes. So, next time you’re placing free bets at the races, you can be assured that it’s in their blood to race.

2. Whipping Hurts Horses

Whips are no longer used in the sport. A soft paddle called a ‘persuader’ is used to lengthen a horse’s stride and has been proven not to cause harm or pain to the animals.

People have used a persuader on a person to prove they are inflicting pain, but the skin of a 1,000 pounds racehorse can withstand more than the average human. The role of the paddle is to remind the horse to stay focused during the long track and not to lose focus throughout the race.

3. Horses Have no Value Once Retired

It is a common misconception that racehorses are sent to the abattoir (slaughterhouse) once they have seen their racing career through. But, again, this is not the case. Retired racehorses are very valuable and are often rehomed for breeding, for pleasure or equestrian use, as they are very athletic and can be trained to be riding horses and opposed to competitors.

4. Horses Do Not Enjoy Racing

Thoroughbreds are raised to race, it is in their blood to compete.

Horses that race weighs an average of 1,000 pounds, I’m sure you can imagine how impossible it would be for a jockey of around 55kg to force an animal of this size to run while on it back. It is not unheard of for a horse to decide they aren’t in the mood during a race; one horse, in particular, decided he didn’t want to jump while competing and planted his feet firmly on the track, refusing to continue; there wasn’t much the jockey could do about it.

Horses cannot be made to run in races due to their dominance of power against their jockeys and so when they do run it is through choice and enjoyment; they are doing what they know.

5. Horses are Mistreated

On average, horse races are sold for around $65,000. Not only are they an investment but they are how some people make a living and choose to spend their time (training, owning, breeding). Simply on that alone, it is hard to believe that they would be poorly cared for.

It is not uncommon for owners to fork out a fortune to transport and provide the best for their horses, often being referred to as living like kings due to their exercise and treatment is unparalleled to any other owned animal.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Pet Supplements

Pet Supplements: Which Ones are the Best for Your Pet?

The term pet is a general one that essentially can mean anything from the standard pets such as dogs, cats, and bunnies, to even spiders and scorpions for that matter! However, we will stick to the domesticated dogs and cats for the better part of this list and cater to the general audience. Pet Supplements: Which Ones are the Best for Your Pet: Fish Oil: We know that fish oil is good for us, given that it’s an active deterrent against atherosclerosis and heart disease, but it can also be good for both dogs and cats as well. However, the reason why they are effective supplements for our pets is quite different from the reasons that make fish oil good for human beings. In spite of there being several claims for other benefits, the most significant and proven improvement is seen in a pets’ skin and fur. Coats become healthier and pets suffering from skin allergies may experience improvements when taking fish oil supplements. Elk Antler Velvet: Depending on the age and physical condition of the dog, elk antler velvet supplements can be useful for a variety of reasons. They have been associated with strengthening the canine immune system and might even provide protection against kidney damage. In particular, older dogs have been seen to move with less discomfort when supplemented with elk antler velvet supplements. They are, however, not meant for cats. Probiotics: Before we explain what probiotics can mean for dogs and cats in general, it is first necessary to understand what probiotics are. Quite simply put, probiotic supplements are capsules full of helpful bacteria that reside in the gut and help us to digest food better. Depending on the species of animal in question, the bacteria species will also vary. In the case of dogs and cats, probiotic supplements produce some of the best results seen in pets. That being said, just because a product has lactobacillus and probiotics written on the label, it doesn’t automatically mean it will do wonders for your pet. If you are planning to buy online, just go through the user reviews first to know if the product is the right one for your pet and worth your money. Bacterial strains are quite easy to get wrong, so unless monitored with strict quality control measures, one strain is easy to mistake for another, which could actually make your pet very sick, if not worse. CBD Supplements: Finally, we have the newest trend, which is CBD supplements in all their recent glory. While they do have the possibility to bring a number of benefits to both feline and canine physiologies, there is not enough evidence yet to suggest they really work. However, approved pet CBD supplements can make your pet calmer and may help with bringing down inflammations due to their natural anti-inflammatory nature. While giving your pet supplement for the first time, do not mix and match. See what effect it has on your pet first before being sure of its safety. Read Also: How Your Pet Will Change Your Life 8 High-Need Animal Shelter Donations Can Dogs Make The Anti-Social Kids Socialize Better? Celebrities And Their Pets: 5 Reasons Why They Love To Take Pictures With Them

READ MOREDetails
Squid and Octopus

Are There any Differences Between Squid and Octopus?

People are often confused with octopus and squid, for most of the individual they are classified as cephalopods. They might resemble with one another, however, there is a difference between the two and unique hunting methods got used to catching them. So, what is the major difference between squid and octopus? It is clearly stated below in this article. Are There Any Differences Between Squid and Octopus? Yes there exists the difference between the Squid and Octopus that you need to know. Squid vs octopus: In order to assist you to understand octopuses and squid better, here we have described some of the similarities as well as the difference when it comes to anatomy, habitat, size, biological classification, and hunting behavior. Biological classification- both octopuses and squid are cephalopods, that means they have head-footed and it has no real feet or head as the most prominent feature. They are both mollusks and invertebrates and they contain eight arms. Unlike other mollusks, they neither have a shell. Anatomy: The octopuses and squids are built similarly and this is how one can tell they are entirely different creatures just by the appearance. The octopus might have eight arms and a round head that radiate like spokes of any wheel. The squid also contains eight arms and a triangular head with extra long tentacles. The body is long and it contains a bony plate known as a pen which is a vestigial remnant of its shell. You will notice that the squid also has two fins over their head however the octopus has none fins. The dumbo octopus has an ear like a fin over their head that might resemble as a large floppy ear of the elephant. Both octopus and squids have a sucker over their arms and it has two extra tentacles that got equipped with a special sucker ring and hooks with teeth attached. Interestingly, they both have a squirt copper and ink in their blood. The copper helps in oxygen transportation within the animal’s bodies. Size: Most of the people believe that squids are smaller kind however the squid normally grow under 60 cm to 20 meters long. However, the smallest squid species is just an inch long. On the other hand, octopuses grow anywhere under 1 centimeter – 9 meters. Lifespan- another key difference both squid and octopuses have is life expectancy. Both the species have a decent lifespan if their size is considered. The lifespan of squid is between nine months to five years however the octopuses can live anywhere between one to three years. Habitat- The squid can be easily found out in several areas of sea, even from a darker depth of the ocean to shallower water. On the other hand, the octopuses prefer to live under the seafloor level whether it could be deep water or shallow waters. In fact, it is said that octopuses live in rubbish that can be easily sunk to the bottom of the floor. Hunting behavior: Due to the anatomical differences, the hunting techniques might vary. The squid has a habit of swimming over the open ocean in small groups and it can make use of their extra tentacles along with sucker rings in order to give them extra reach. It helps them to catch shrimp and fish then it can be easily eaten up. On the other hand, the octopus stays over the seafloor and it eats bottom crustaceans because the soft bodies will make them vulnerable. They pierce, grab and inject poison into the body of prey and it will paralyze it. This then dissolves as well as loosens the prey through the usage of saliva before ripping it into parts. The observation on the octopuses demonstrates that it is a solitary creature. They don’t like to live in groups thus prefer a lifestyle as “hermit”. The squid species are solitary and they travel the ocean. The way the squids, as well as octopuses, eat and catch is different. The squid usually hunts for fish through swimming crustaceans like shrimp and it catches them with its tentacles. The prey is then consumed using the structure that is beak-like known as radula to cut into prey at their mouth. Multiple rows radula has in form of “teeth” that would help squid in grinding the prey before ingesting it. Most of the squid will hunt in coordinate and group their movement so as to maximize all the catches. The octopuses are solitary hunters and they catch the prey over the ocean floor along with arms. They inject venom into the prey that paralyzes it. Digestive enzymes also introduce catch which softens for ingestion by octopuses. How do squid and octopuses move? The squid and octopus can swim in any of the direction and it can easily alter the course quickly. The squids make use of the fins that are located over their head that can be used to propel themselves when it swims. It can move at low speeds.  The fins can easily stabilize and steer the squid when they move slowly and it wraps the body all around when it has to move quickly. Most of the octopuses don’t any fins. Do the squid and octopuses live in schools? Since solitary animals like octopuses, they live alone as den and squids live in schools. The young squids become more solitary in the future. Additional information: Taste- octopuses have more taste receptors over their body as much as ten to a thousand times in comparison to humans. Touch- the octopuses are sensitive to touch however you cannot discriminate between the light and heavy objects. Sight- the squid and octopuses have excellent vision however they might be color blind. It has 360-degree vision range with eyes Smell- the squid and octopuses can register smell in pits that are located over the beneath eyes. How they protect themselves? Coloration- they can create or change color in intricate patterns on bodies so as to blend with surroundings Ink- the squid and octopus can expel copper ink that is dark. This can be used to confuse the predators thus giving off octopuses and squid time to escape This is all about the major difference between the octopuses and squids, you can know additional information on the internet. Read Also: Forever Young: Natural Ways To Live A Longer Life Best Deer Hunting Trail Camera Tips For Scouting Wildlife

READ MOREDetails
anxious dog

Ways To Calm Your Anxious Dog

Humans experience anxiety in different situations. Some become nervous in a crowd, others when they are home alone. Did you know that dogs can be anxious, too? If their owner leaves abruptly or doesn’t consider the environment safe, you’ll notice a change in their behavior. How to recognize anxiety and calm your dog? That’s what we are trying to discover in this guide, so let’s check out what you can do if your pet is anxious! How Do I Know If My Dog Has Anxiety? Each dog has different ways of exhibiting anxiety. The most common symptoms include: Pacing around restlesslyBarking excessivelyDestructive behavior, such as destroying stuffPanting and droolingDefecating and urinating indoorsAggressive behaviorShiveringAppetite loss The common anxiety causes include separation from their owners and various fears. Age-related factors and medical conditions could also make your dog anxious. Tips For Calming Anxiety In Dogs Prevention is the best medicine, so it’s best to minimize the risk of anxiety episodes even happening. If you recognize a situation that makes your dog anxious, try to avoid it in the future. Here are some other tips that could assist in calming your dog down! 1. Exercise Your Dog More energy equals a bigger risk of becoming anxious. Let’s say you need to leave your pup home alone for several hours. It helps to take them out for a walk or an exercise session. You can bond while playing fetch and ensure your pet doesn’t have excessive energy when they return home. The chemical component is also important. For example, physical activity stimulates endorphin production. That offers stress relief and promotes a better mood. 2. Physical Contact If you notice your pup is going through an anxiety attack, the primary priority becomes soothing them. They see their owner as trustworthy, so use that to your advantage. You can try putting the pup in your lap, petting them, cuddling them, or whatever you know works. This should last for at least a few minutes until they calm down. 3. Time-Out It might not be possible to stop your dog’s anxiety attack. If you know that’s impossible, create a safe zone for those episodes. You need to explain to your pup that’s where they’ll feel secure during an anxiety attack. The “time-out” zone should secure isolation and promote calmness. You can dim the lights, play some slow music, and even use calming scents. Don’t forget that you should eliminate noise coming from the outside. Dog Anxiety: Treatment You have multiple approaches to treating anxiety in dogs. But it’s necessary to talk to a professional to identify the best method for your pup. They are capable of identifying the anxiety type, trigger, and cause. It’s even more important that vets can eliminate medical conditions as reasons why your dog is anxious. Here are the common approaches used to treat pup anxiety! Using CBD for Dog Anxiety People use cannabis strains and marijuana products with a high CBD content to treat anxiety, stress, pain, and other issues. Some pet owners report that pups could also benefit from CBD oil. It’s necessary to perform research to get confirmation, but sporadic data is encouraging. You should consult your vet about a suitable dose for your pup. The general rule is to apply from one to five milligrams of CBD per ten pounds of the dog’s weight. You should start slowly to see how your dog reacts and increase the dosage only if necessary. i. Can Pets Have Cannabis? Cannabis interacts with the inner endocannabinoid system. It exists in both humans and dogs, but pups have more receptors in the brain. That means marijuana might have a stronger effect on these animals, especially since they are generally lighter than humans. Pets can have cannabis, but caution is advised. Cannabis intoxication isn’t uncommon in dogs, especially due to exposure to edibles. In addition, your pup doesn’t know when they had enough marijuana treats. You need to be careful and observe your pup’s behavior closely. ii. Is Pet CBD Legal in the US? Cannabis products are legal on a federal level in the United States. The condition is the THC content shouldn’t be higher than 0.3%. As for the state laws, each territory has the right to apply specific legislation to marijuana use. For example, Florida cannabis laws only allow medical use of marijuana, although many other states also legalized using it for recreational purposes. Likewise, human laws don’t apply to animals, but you should check with a veterinarian before giving your dog CBD. Anxiety Medications For Dogs Vets will begin by recommending natural remedies, such as supplements, calming scents, and avoiding potential triggers. But if they diagnose your pup has an anxiety disorder, they could prescribe antidepressants and SSRIs. Benzodiazepine could also help, especially when the anxiety trigger is familiar (firecrackers, travels, etc.). Training and Counterconditioning You could try training your dog on how to respond to the anxiety trigger. Instead of exhibiting aggressive behavior, the goal is that they act more positively. For example, if they start feeling anxious, they lie down or come to you. An alternative could be removing the fear from the trigger. For example, if your dog is afraid of cars, begin by only asking them to get in for several days. The next step is going only around the block for weeks. As their tolerance level increases, you can take them on longer rides. Also Read: The Pros And Cons Of Adopting A Puppy Vs. An Older DogWhat To Look For And What To Avoid In Healthy Dog Treats5 Reasons Why Your Child Needs A Dog

READ MOREDetails