Jockeys have long been recognised as athletes who must maintain a specific weight in order to ensure their optimal performance in horse racing, to say nothing of meeting certain requirements put in place by trainers. In the quest to achieve the ideal weight, various methods have been employed, with one technique that has gained attention being the use of saunas.

The British Horseracing Authority’s released a statement regarding saunas in racing has brought this practice to the forefront, sparking discussions about its historical context, current relevance and potential implications.

The reality is that there is a necessity for jockeys to be light, with the less weight being carried by the horse aiding it to finish the race quicker. It is obviously better for the horse’s health to have a lighter person on its back, too. The less weight their is, the easier a horse will find it to run quicker and take on jumps.

If a jockey is too heavy, therefore, then they need to find a way of dropping enough weight to be able to take part in the event that they’re signed up to do. Sometimes they will know this with a few days to go, whilst on others it might require a more immediate solution.

Historical Perspective Of Sweat & The Saddle

The tradition of weight management among jockeys dates back decades. Historically, jockeys have experimented with a range of methods to shed pounds before races. Saunas emerged as a strategy to rapidly lose water weight, allowing jockeys to meet weight requirements, but potentially compromising their well-being in doing so. This approach often involved rigorous dehydration practices, posing risks to jockeys’ health and performance. It was seen by the British Horseracing Authority as an impractical way for a jockey to get their weight down for a race.

Back in 2017, the Chief Medical Advisor to the BHA, Dr Jerry Hill, said that fears over the removal of saunas from racecourses was groundless, but that it would be good for their use to be stopped at some point in the future. He said,

“By the time I retire, which will not be soon, I would like the saunas at racecourses to have become redundant because jockeys are no longer having to make the weight in a short period of time, but instead have the tools at their disposal to make the weight most of the time without having to crash their weight. I would love it if, one day, the racecourses came to me and said, ‘Take these saunas out because no one’s using them’.”

Even back then, jockeys were against the notion of removing the saunas from their weight-loss routine. A jump jockey speaking on the issue said,

“In an ideal world, it would be marvellous not to have any saunas whatsoever. He wants to put a Wattbike on the racecourses, so that you put your sweatsuit on and lose weight on a bike. That sounds brilliant, I’d love to do all that but when you’ve been riding out all morning…”

For someone who is exhausted, needing to hit their weight in the afternoon, saunas are a significantly more attractive proposition than an exercise bike.

Saunas In Racing Were A Controversial Trend

The use of saunas for weight loss gained popularity in the horse racing world, sparking debates about the ethics and safety of the practice. The British Horseracing Authority’s statement, which addressed saunas and their impact on jockeys’ health and well-being, reflects the ongoing concerns about the practice.

The BHA’s effort to regulate and monitor saunas signifies a shift towards a more responsible approach to weight management in the sport. At the same time that Dr Hall was advocating a more sensible approach to weight loss, posters were having to be put up advising jockeys not to force themselves to be sick after eating.

That is the weight loss world in which saunas existed. With that in mind, it is hardly surprising that jockeys didn’t mind the idea of making themselves dehydrated in order to reach the necessary weight to take part in a race. This notion of ‘flipping,’ as forcing themselves to be sick was known, was not good because of the different effects it had on the body.

Enforced dehydration isn’t much better, of course. Whilst jockeys might see it as a short-term issue that they’re suffering just whilst going through the process of reducing their weight, the reality is that the long-term effects could be serious.

Balancing Health & Performance

Contemporary jockeys face a changing landscape when it comes to weight management. The past focus on rapid weight loss has given way to a more holistic approach that emphasises overall health and fitness. Whilst saunas are the things that the jockeys want to turn to in order to get their weight down, some are instead increasingly turning to nutritionists, trainers and exercise routines to achieve and maintain their desired weight. This shift aligns with broader trends in sports and fitness, emphasising sustainable and health-centric methods over extreme practices.

The practice of using saunas to manage weight raises questions about the delicate balance between performance and well-being. Whilst temporary weight loss can help jockeys meet race requirements, it’s crucial to consider the potential risks involved. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances resulting from excessive sauna use can negatively impact performance, concentration and overall health. Jockeys, trainers, and racing authorities must work together to strike a balance that puts both performance and the long-term health of the athletes at the forefront of thinking.

The Role Of Racing Authorities

The British Horseracing Authority’s stance on saunas highlights the growing responsibility of racing authorities to safeguard jockeys’ health and well-being. Implementing guidelines and regulations that monitor weight management practices, including discussions around sauna use, is an essential step towards ensuring the longevity and fairness of the sport. By addressing the potential risks associated with saunas, racing authorities demonstrate their commitment to the jockeys’ safety and the integrity of horse racing. The problem is that not all jockeys see things that way.

Part of the disappointment from the point of view of the BHA is that the organisation entered into discussion with the Professional Jockeys’ Association around the issue in good faith. The discussions were based on expert medical advice, based on evidence, with the PJA offering its full support to the discussions.

During the pandemic, the BHA decided to close saunas at racetracks for health reasons, with the decision taken since then being to make that a permanent move. For a year, the BHA and PJA worked with others to take an evidence-based approach to the issue.

During these discussions, there was no point at which saunas were discussed as a seriously approach to weight loss. Yet the Professional Jockeys’ Association effectively went behind the back of the racing authority in calling for the reinstatement of saunas at racetracks. That, according to the BHA, not only say the PJA ‘reverse its public position’ but also moved to undermine ‘a huge body of work undertaken in a spirit of genuine goodwill.’

The BHA said, “It is simply false to present the return of saunas as a quick and easy fix for jockeys’ weight management, not least because that ignores the obvious significant practical and economic challenges posed by such a demand.”

What The Jockeys Think

As you have probably guessed, the jockeys themselves aren’t convinced by the alternative weight-loss methods being suggested by the British Horseracing Authority.

The PJA released a statement on the matter, saying that the removal of the saunas has ‘created physical and mental well-being issues for jockeys that far outweigh any perceived risk of dehydration by sauna use.’ After the decision was taken to remove the saunas, the BHA raised the minimum riding weights by two pounds for both flat and jump racing jockeys. A three pound allowance had been introduced during Covid to make up for the lack of saunas.

The Professional Jockeys’ Association is now saying that it should’ve ‘insisted on cast-iron guarantees from the BHA and others that the Covid weight allowance would remain in force before accepting the removal of saunas.’ The statement said, “The PJA is in no doubt, having consulted with senior psychologists, that the most urgent medical issue threatening the health of jockeys is that of the anxiety and stress associated with the need to make weight.

“Jockeys are using a range of inappropriate and more risky methods including very hot baths, use of sweat suits while driving, restricting fluid intake for long periods of time, or even flipping.”

The PJA has not, according to the British Horseracing Authority, done enough research to contradict what was said by the experts when they looked into the matter. They said,

“That expert advice was clear that acute dehydration immediately prior to competition could reach levels where it represents a safety risk to horses and jockeys. That expert advice was also significantly more extensive than the one study mentioned in the PJA statement.”

They are, they said, happy to look further into adjusting the weights that jockeys need to hit before getting into the saddle.

The Health Issues Of Dehydration From Sauna Use

The practice of using saunas for weight loss, particularly in the context of sports like horse racing, has raised significant concerns due to the potential health risks associated with dehydration. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, leading to an imbalance in electrolytes and impairing various bodily functions. In the case of jockeys using saunas to shed water weight rapidly, the risks of dehydration are pronounced and can have serious consequences for their health and performance. One of the primary risks of dehydration from sauna use is the disruption of electrolyte balance.

Electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium and chloride, play a crucial role in maintaining the body’s fluid balance, nerve function, muscle contraction and overall cellular health. Dehydration can lead to an excess loss of these essential minerals, causing imbalances that affect various bodily processes. This imbalance can result in muscle cramps, weakness and even more severe conditions like arrhythmias and seizures. Saunas cause the body to sweat profusely, leading to a rapid loss of fluids. As a result, blood volume decreases, which puts strain on the cardiovascular system.

This strain can lead to a drop in blood pressure, reduced oxygen delivery to tissues and an increased heart rate as the body attempts to compensate for the decreased blood volume. In extreme cases, severe dehydration can contribute to cardiovascular collapse, posing a serious threat to the jockey’s health. Dehydration can also affect cognitive function and mental clarity. As the body loses water, brain cells may shrink and cerebral blood flow may be reduced. This can lead to difficulties in concentration, memory, and decision-making, which are critical faculties for jockeys who need to make split-second judgments during races.

Cognitive impairment from dehydration can compromise their ability to react quickly and navigate the racecourse safely. Saunas elevate the body’s core temperature, leading to excessive sweating as a cooling mechanism. Dehydration impairs the body’s ability to regulate temperature effectively. This can result in an increased risk of heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke is particularly dangerous, as it can lead to organ damage and even be fatal if not promptly treated. Dehydration also significantly impacts physical performance. Muscles need adequate hydration to function optimally and a lack of fluids can lead to muscle cramps, fatigue and reduced strength.

Jockeys who are dehydrated may find it challenging to maintain their riding posture, balance and coordination during races, ultimately compromising their ability to compete at their best. Not only that, but repeated and severe dehydration can have lasting effects on the body. Chronic dehydration can contribute to kidney stones, urinary tract infections and other kidney-related issues. It can also impact joint health, as the lubricating properties of synovial fluid are compromised when the body lacks proper hydration, all of which can be extremely serious.

The jockeys might well think that these things are exaggerated, but they would be putting their long-term health at risk by repeatedly engaging in sauna use in order to make their weight. It is easy to be dismissive of these concerns with short-term thoughts in mind, but it is the responsibility of the BHA to discuss them with experts and respond accordingly. That is what the organisation has done, seemingly in consultation with the Professional Jockeys’ Association, only to find out that the PJA is approaching it with an entirely different thought process that seems to ignore any long-term risks to their members.