Horse betting has become a popular past-time hobby for many people. The thrill of the race, the suspense of a bet, and the rush of seeing your chosen horse win make horse racing an exhilarating experience. Plus, besides just cheering on horses in a physical arena, people can now do so from the comfort of their homes.
Technology has already made it easier to access live streams and watch races in more high definition than ever before. With all this excitement, more people have been drawn to betting on horses both online and off. Better yet, extra bets provided for free mean better winning possibilities for everyone.
But there is much more to horse racing than all the colourful flags, grandstands, and lush green tracks just appearing out of thin air. In reality, a lot goes into maintaining these tracks to ensure that every race runs relatively smoothly. This is everything from routine mowing and fertilization to organizing safety protocols for humans and animals alike!
So, how are racehorse tracks maintained? Let’s explore what it takes to keep racetrack conditions at their best. We’ll look at everything from watering, grooming, and the turf to the fences and the starting gate. So, keep reading to learn more. Let’s get started!
Watering
The first thing we will look at is watering. One of the most important things to do to maintain a horse racing track is to water it regularly. Doing this helps keep the track from getting too hard and dry, which can cause injuries to the horses.
The track is usually watered in the morning, so it has time to dry out before the races begin. Most of the watering is done through an automated system, and on average, hundreds of gallons of water are used via sprinklers and pumps to keep the course in good working condition.
There are also instruments that tell you the track’s moisture and how much evaporation has occurred during the day. This way, when the track is watered, everything is more accurate, and there is a science as to how much water to use instead of just guessing.
Grooming
Another important thing to do to maintain a horse racing track is to groom it regularly. Regular grooming helps keep the dirt loose and free of clumps that could cause the horses to trip. The track is usually groomed with a machine with brushes or rollers that loosen up the dirt.
Ground penetrating radar tests are also done by using a mechanical hoof tester, also known as a biomechanical surface tester). This test checks how hard the racetrack’s surface will be for the horse’s legs, and samples will be taken to analyse the sand, silt, and clay content.
The Turf
The turf on a horse racing track must also be kept in good condition to prevent injuries to the horses. The turf is mowed regularly, at least twice weekly, and any dead patches are replaced with new sod. The turf is also fertilized and sprayed for weeds regularly.
Usually, the crew will walk the course daily to check for weeds and any signs of disease. When the turf is overused, it can become dry and dusty, so the track must also have off-seasons. During breaks, seeding and fertilizing will replace any grass that gets damaged.
The Fences
Another thing that needs to be maintained is the fences around the horse racing track, and this is to keep the horses safe. The fences are checked regularly for any loose boards or gaps that could allow a horse to get out onto the track, and any loose boards or gaps are repaired as soon as possible.
The Starting Gates
Lastly, we have the starting gate, the final thing that needs to be maintained. This is maintained to ensure that the races start safely. The gates are checked regularly for any damage or wear and tear that could cause them to malfunction. Any damaged or worn parts are repaired or replaced as necessary.
So, there you have it! That’s everything you need to know about how horse race tracks are maintained. Horses need to run on the best-kept tracks in the world, and all this affects their performance. Racetracks need to be watered twice per week to help keep the dirt from getting too hard and dry; they also need to be groomed to keep the dirt loose and free from clumps. The turf also needs to be maintained, as well as the fences and the starting gate.
