When it comes to creating greater competition among race horses and making outcomes more predictable, particularly at the lower levels of racing, many tracks handicap a horse by requiring it to carry extra weight to slow it down and help level the field. The race secretary at the host track reviews the field, assesses each horse’s capabilities, and decides how much extra weight it must carry as a handicap. The stronger and faster a horse is, the more weight it carries, with many tracks capping the total at one hundred thirty pounds. The additional weight carried is called an impost and includes the combined weight of the jockey and saddle, plus any extra needed to reach the assigned mark. Lead weights carried in pocketed saddle pads are typically used to add the difference. The race secretary weighs a horse’s size, age, and racing history, among other factors, when setting the handicap.