There are literally hundreds of books and websites devoted to horse race handicapping (betting on winning horses), each one offering their own opinion as to which factors should be prioritized for analysis. While luck largely determines your profits or losses (particularly with beginning pickers), knowledgeable handicappers employ several indicators when making selections that help inform their selection process – some examples being:

Movement of a horse is crucial to its racehorse’s success; one with long strides will typically cover more ground with each step than one with shorter legs, as they can cover more territory per step. Furthermore, speed is also an important consideration; too slow may not win many races while too fast can become dangerous to other competitors.

An essential factor is maintaining weight. If a horse becomes too skinny, its athletic potential won’t be fully realized; to prevent this from happening it must be fed a well-balanced diet and have strong heart and lung capacity allowing it to finish strong in each race and make money for its owner.

Over time, horse racing has undergone technological developments that have improved safety of participants while remaining true to its historic roots. Thermal imaging cameras can detect heat stress post-race for horses; MRI scanners can identify injuries and conditions; x-rays are useful in checking skeletal anomalies; 3D printing provides casts, splints, or prosthetics for injured horses; thermal cameras also detect heat stress post-race.

Thoroughbred horse racing may present itself as romanticized; however, behind its idyllic facade lies an unsavory underworld of drug abuse, gruesome breakdowns, and slaughter. PETA has exposed abusive training practices for young horses, illegal whip use, and the sad fate of many American horses being shipped overseas for slaughterhouse slaughtering. These issues have had an impactful financial effect upon industry bottom lines but also led to improvements that make racing safer for horses.