| When it comes to horse racing, jockeys play a major | | | | each horse, gain the horses trust and be able to |
| role. Most people think of gambling when it comes to | | | | keep them calm. It can even be very dangerous at |
| horse racing, but you're not only betting on the | | | | times for the jockey. Most common injuries that |
| horse, you're also betting on the jockey. It takes a | | | | jockeys suffer from are bone fractures, arthritis, |
| lot of skill and hard work to become a jockey. | | | | trampling, paralysis, and some injuries can even result |
| Training and riding usually starts at a very young age. | | | | in death. |
| Horse racing can be a dangerous sport so it is | | | | While horse racing can be dangerous for the jockey, |
| essential that the horses and jockeys receive the | | | | the horses are at far more risk than the jockey. If |
| proper training. | | | | they are being raced to much the speed can put too |
| A common misconception is that to ride you have to | | | | much stress on their bones, and this can lead to |
| be short. This is not true, there is no regulation on | | | | tragic accidents on the track. A small stumble can |
| height limits. But there is however a weight limit. Most | | | | also lead to serious injuries, and maybe even death. |
| of them stay around 100 - 115 lbs. This leads to | | | | Unfortunately when a career ending injury occurs, |
| major eating disorders in jockeys. The reasoning | | | | such as broken legs, often the horses are put down |
| behind the weight limit is so all the horses run with | | | | due to there not being enough homes for retired |
| the same load. For instance the Kentucky Derby's | | | | race horses. Fortunately, there have been more |
| weight limit is 126 lbs, if a jockey is under weight | | | | charities and organizations popping up in the more |
| they will put lead slabs in the saddle to keep the | | | | recent years who focus on making this a safer sport |
| weight even among the horses. Usually it takes a | | | | for the jockeys and horses. |
| smaller, shorter frame to be that thin, so it can be | | | | Understanding what goes on behind the scenes is |
| misleading. Currently the tallest jockey is 5'10'' and | | | | important when you are a fan of any sport. |
| rides in the UK. | | | | Protecting the rights and safety of the players, and |
| Each jockey must have a riding license in the state | | | | in some cases the animals, should be top priority, |
| that they race in. Although training starts early in life | | | | especially when you are a fan of the sport. Because |
| they must wait until they are 16 to get the license. | | | | without them the sport wouldn't exist. So next time |
| Many people think that to be a jockey you just have | | | | you place your bet on a horse race, you will be able |
| to be small but it is much more intense. You must be | | | | to appreciate the hard work that goes into the sport |
| an excellent rider, have a passion for horses and | | | | that makes it all possible. |
| intense determination. They must be able to read | | | | |