The Synthetic Horse Track Gains in Popularity
At one time a track was a track when it came to horse racing. Today, as with everything else, technology is definitely providing some changes. The next time you place a bet online for an upcoming race or head down to your local track, you may be surprised to find that the horses are not racing on actual dirt at all. This is because an increasing number of tracks are being laid with artificial track rather than real dirt. This trend has come under increased interest following the tragic injury that Barbaro suffered not that long ago.
Artificial horse track choices may seem as though they are a completely new element to the concept of horse racing, but in fact, artificial tracks have actually been used in Europe for several years. Since that time the trend has begun to consistently become more popular in the United States. Many artificial tracks are comprised of a synthetic mixture that is made up polypropylene fibers that have been coated with wax as well as fine sand and recycled rubber.
So, does it make a difference whether the horse track is ‘real’ or synthetic? According to some experts, it could. Synthetic tracks do offer some advantages including easier drainage and the ability for horses to race regardless of weather conditions. Tracks that are comprised of clay or dirt often have a slight inward tilt. As a result, when it has been raining there are often spots on the track that are somewhat thicker than the rest of the track. This can make the overall surface of the track uneven and could present safety hazards. Ultimately, synthetic tracks are considered to be safer and less of a risk than real dirt or clay tracks, especially for animals that can sometimes be worth a fortune.
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admin @ November 12, 2008