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Horse races, whether of chariots or horses carrying riders on bare backs, have been popular forms of public entertainment for centuries. Modern rules and governance of racing vary from nation to nation, but the sport is almost universally regarded as being a dangerous activity for both the participants and spectators.

The first recorded horse race occurred in the ancient Greek Olympic Games of 700-40 bce, and organized chariot and mounted racing continued into prehistory. The earliest form of organized horse races, however, are believed to have been four-hitch chariot races of light scythes. The sport has since evolved into an international sport characterized by thoroughbred racing, with the fastest horses winning the highest prizes.

One of the most important aspects of horse racing is the training of the animals involved. Horses must be well conditioned to handle the stress of competition and the exertion of running on a hard track at high speeds. As such, most trainers spend time preparing their horses with extensive work on the racetrack, in the paddock, and on the road. This extensive work focuses on a number of key areas, including endurance, strength, and the ability to run at high speed over long distances.

During the actual race, horses are led into the starting gates, which are usually electrically operated. Once they are all safely positioned, the starter will give his command, and the race is off. As they accelerate, the horses jockeys must keep them on a straight course and avoid any jumps, which could throw them off their stride and slow down their speed. In addition, a patrol judge and stewards watch the race for any rule violations and check that all horses cross the finish line at the same time.

The prize money awarded to the winners of a race varies from country to country, but is often quite large. In fact, the purse at Yonkers, a New York track, is one of the largest in the world. These enormous sums of money are intended to attract investors who come in with “both fists full,” says Joe Faraldo, president of the Standardbred Owners Association of New York. Racing proponents defend this massive infusion of capital as an effective way to stimulate a multibillion-dollar industry, from the breeders who supply the horses to the trainers who prepare them and the farmers who grow the carrots.

Many corporate leaders embrace the horse race approach to succession planning, arguing that it offers a valuable process for selecting the best candidate from among several highly skilled executives. In the right hands, it can help create a culture of leadership development, in which future stars are spotted early and nurtured in a series of critical roles through which they gain the competencies and seasoning necessary for the top job. But the strategy is not without its critics, who argue that it can result in a protracted succession horse race that saps a company of business momentum and can even lead to the failure of the firm.

Gambling is the staking of something of value on an activity that involves a significant element of chance in the hope of realizing a profit. It has existed in virtually every society since prerecorded history and is incorporated into local customs and rites of passage. Most adults and many adolescents engage in some form of gambling. The vast majority of gamblers do so without problem, but for a small number of individuals gambling becomes an addictive behavior causing substantial distress and impairment. Pathological gambling is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) as a psychiatric disorder.

Gambling is a social activity and can be fun for most people. However, it can also cause harm if not used within certain parameters. Harm may be experienced from gambling in different ways: physical, psychological, family, financial and community. Harmful gambling is often a hidden addiction and is difficult to recognize because it is not as visible as alcohol or drug abuse. Moreover, cultural influences may make it hard to seek help because some communities view gambling as an acceptable pastime, making it difficult to recognize that the activity has gone wrong.

A person who has a gambling disorder experiences an intense urge to gamble and cannot control their impulses to gamble, despite the negative effects on their lives. They have difficulty separating their emotional and financial lives from gambling, and they lie to conceal their involvement with gambling. They are preoccupied with gambling and ruminate over past experiences, handicapping or planning their next venture, and finding ways to get money to gamble. They also feel distressed when they lose, and they may return to gambling in an attempt to recover their losses (“chasing”).

The origins of the disorder are largely unknown. Some have speculated that the emergence of modern capitalism and its emphasis on the bottom line of profits is a contributing factor. Others point to the Depression of the 1930s and economic turmoil of the 1970s as catalysts. The Civil Rights Act and the women’s liberation movement also may have contributed to an increase in the prevalence of gambling in the United States.

Research has shown that some people are genetically predisposed to thrill-seeking behaviors and impulsivity. Furthermore, studies of brain function reveal differences in the processing of reward information and in the ability to control impulses. These factors may explain why some people are more likely to develop a gambling problem.

The first step to getting help for someone with a gambling problem is to establish a clear definition of what constitutes harmful gambling. From there, it is important to understand the risk factors that can lead to a gambling disorder. These include frequency of gambling exposure, social and familial influence, biological and psychological factors, and availability of gambling resources. The next step is to create prevention and treatment programs based on the evidence of the disorder. This is a complex endeavor that requires collaboration and partnership between the scientific community, government agencies, and private organizations.