Why do horses run on dirt tracks?

Question

Olympic runners have a fraction of the weight a horse has to carry on their spindly legs, yet they are allowed to run on flat level smooth surfaces. Why? If olympians had to run on dirt, in the mud, and ruts and someone broke their leg, would they then be "euthanized"?

Answer 1

Horse Races in Australia and the UK are on well prepared green turf courses, its the only intelligent way. I think the US system is barbaric, why is it that you guys are the only people barbaric enough to allow this ?

Answer 2

If a person competing in the Olympics breaks a leg while running, then no expense is spared in efforts to save that person- and euthanasia is illegal in every state and in most foreign countries. Horses run on dirt tracks because that is what is available in most places where racing exists. There are, however, some turf tracks ( grass) at the same locations as the dirt tracks- but they are not necessarily any safer than dirt. (Mending Fences, the horse that broke down and was euthanized on Preakness Day, was running in a race on the turf at the time- he snapped his right foreleg, and the bones went right through the skin. It's difficult if not impossible to save a horse that has suffered this kind of injury, which is why he was destroyed. ) Euthanasia of animals is always legal, because it is believed that animals don't have the same kind of feelings, mindset, or belief that people do about death and dying. Horses do NOT race on rutted tracks- though running in the mud is a common thing, and some horses actually perform better in the mud than they would on a fast or dry track. But to compare Olympic runners with racehorses is nuts- they are like apples and oranges, and the rules for both are completely different.

Answer 3

I suspect that a hard surface would result in more injuries to horses.

Racehorses are bred only for racing. If they are unable to race or breed, they don't have any value to the owner. Also, if they are unable to stand, they could die a slow and painful death.

Humans can move on to other useful endeavors once unable to race (or play football, basketball, etc).

Answer 4

The ground absorbes more pressure, therefore, its better. Only a very few horses ever break their legs, so it is in no way inhumane. Have you ever seen how those horses are taken care of? They are always being watched and taken great care of, at most racetracks where the horses stay, it costs 50 dollars a day.

Answer 5

The softer the track the easier it is on the horses legs and ankles.

Deeper earth tracks will produce slower times than thinner hard tracks but owners and trainers prefer them for the safety of the horses.

Answer 6

Horses can't run safely on cement with shoes.  Poor things....they shouldn't even be used for our entertainment.

Answer 7

the concrete would crack their hoof

Answer 8

If horses ran on blacktop, they would ruin their pedicures.

Answer 9

Yes

Answer 10

Horses need a softer ground...it is easier on their legs.  when they dig deep that is what makes them go fast.  It would be really hard on their legs to pound down on something like a regular track because their is not much spring in that surface...while dirt lets their hoofs sink down a bit more.