Some horses that have been racing well and are still middle-aged suddenly lose all form and race dreadfully. Some of them never regain their good form and are beaten thereafter. When this happens, it is usually because of hidden health problems.

There also are horses that are well bred and look good but who never seem to race up to their potential. Hidden problems may also be to blame in some of these cases while quite often the other reason is that the horses have not adjusted themselves to the environment they face after arrival Hong Kong.

How well horse races basically depend on three factors: its quality, its fitness and preparation, and its health.

If horses develop internal health problems or are injured, they usually are in pain. Often the intensity of the pain increases with the severity of exercise. Pain reduces the horse's desire to race, and some ailments restrict its physical movement.

Common causes of pain that reduce performance of horses are:

• joint disease
  
• tendon and ligament injuries
  
• bone injuries
  
• foot problems
  
• back and pelvic conditions
  
• stomach ulcers.

Understanding how injuries, ailments and other circumstances can affect horse performances is an important part of race analysis. Such understanding can help you avoid losing bets on horses that are not ready or able to win.