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For those unfamiliar with racing, the outrider serves important functions on the track. Besides leading the horses through the post parade, the outrider watches the horses warming up on the track looking for any obvious problems or lameness. If he/she spots a problem they radio the track veterinarian so the horse can be checked for a possible "scratch" ie, horse removed from the race. Additionally the outrider follows the race along the outer fence and watches for any trouble during the race. If a jockey takes a spill the outrider again radios for the ambulance and is charged with rounding up the loose horse who may present a danger to the other riders and horses. It may look ceremonial in the post parade but it is not.