Drug Free Racing

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

Drugs don't equal cheating and believe it or not are given for the good of the horse.

I agree with you.
Most horses "run through the pain".
One of my fillies had a swollen hock. No big deal, no limp or favoring, but just to keep her moving forward, a little bute.
Drugs are part of the equation when used to help, not cheat.
When misused, the horse, or worse yet, the rider can get hurt.

[geeker2]

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

I agree with you.
Most horses "run through the pain".
One of my fillies had a swollen hock. No big deal, no limp or favoring, but just to keep her moving forward, a little bute.
Drugs are part of the equation when used to help, not cheat.
When misused, the horse, or worse yet, the rider can get hurt.

but isn't that exactly what we have now? a situation that us un-policable - everyone thinking the trainers is doing these things for the good of the horse, but in reality some abusing?

Doesn't drug free racing work in Europe?

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by geeker2

but isn't that exactly what we have now? a situation that us un-policable - everyone thinking the trainers is doing these things for the good of the horse, but in reality some abusing?

Doesn't drug free racing work in Europe?

I really don't know much about European racing.
But I can tell you that ace, bute, and other common "drugs" like lasix are part of the game here. Think mild tranquilizer for a jittery horse, ibuprophen whe mild pain (like human's take for a head-ache), and lasix to prevent cappilaries in the lungs from breaking during exertion.
Heavy drugs that would numb a horse's leg to the point where it can run in a race would be a big concern. The horse could break down, the jock could get hurt. So, to keep it short, if safety is the issue, I'd say it's better to be safe than sorry. Heavy pain killers and stimulants shouldn't be allowed.

[letswastemoney]

I agree with Geeker.

Too often the only reason put drugs in their horses is because everyone else is doing it and they don't want to lose an advantage. How do thousands of horses in Europe race without a problem with no lasix??? Yet every first time maiden in America immediately begins with lasix? I doubt every single maiden here is truly a bleeder. They just don't want to lose that 2 or 3 length advantage.

Having 1 or 2 races a day for clean horses is a great idea.

[geeker2]

Now all we need is a Champion

[Honu]

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

I agree with Geeker.

Too often the only reason put drugs in their horses is because everyone else is doing it and they don't want to lose an advantage. How do thousands of horses in Europe race without a problem with no lasix??? Yet every first time maiden in America immediately begins with lasix? I doubt every single maiden here is truly a bleeder. They just don't want to lose that 2 or 3 length advantage.

Having 1 or 2 races a day for clean horses is a great idea.

How do you know its not a problem ? Did you know that they train on Lasix across the pond ? I have been around too many horses from Europe with damaged lungs from bleeding in races , you think its humane to let the horses basically drown in their own blood ?
If running without Lasix is so good for the horses then how come when the Euro horses come over for the Breeders Cup and other big races they run on Lasix ?

[geeker2]

Does that mean you would support the status quo for racing ? The public has just heard of snake venom..what else is being used that the general public doesn't know about? Isn't Lasix a performance enhancing drug? Somemhow this industry has to come to grips with this problem because it isn't just going to disappear.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by geeker2

Does that mean you would support the status quo for racing ? The public has just heard of snake venom..what else is being used that the general public doesn't know about? Isn't Lasix a performance enhancing drug? Somemhow this industry has to come to grips with this problem because it isn't just going to disappear.

There is always someone that will try to beat the rules in any venture where money is on the line. Snake Venom is not legal to use just very hard to detect. So a horse could very well be treated with snake venom and still pass the test in your "drug free" race.

"Drugfree" racing is no more possible than drug free football or baseball. The fact that the industry has done a pitiful job in legislating and policing the issue should be the issue. For without the correct rules and stringent testing any race that is called "drugfree" would be a farce.

[Honu]

Originally Posted by geeker2

Does that mean you would support the status quo for racing ? The public has just heard of snake venom..what else is being used that the general public doesn't know about? Isn't Lasix a performance enhancing drug? Somemhow this industry has to come to grips with this problem because it isn't just going to disappear.

Lasix is given to reduce EIPE , so I guess not having the horse bleed while being asked for its life is performance enhancing , I personally think its health enhancing for the horse.
There is so much stuff that was used before people had access to information that it would blow your mind and this goes back to the days of limited testing , so if you think people can get away with stuff now how do you think it was back then.
I dont agree with what trainers do as far as injecting horses throats with mepevicane before a race because they have breathing problems ( alltho it does seem more humane than slitting their throats for a myectomy ) and I dont agree with blocking horses legs so they cant feel anything , but to be honest in my 13 years as a jockey I rode quit a few horses that were blocked and never had any breakdown including horses that were heal nerved.
But back to the point , everyone always brings up the fact that in Europe they dont use race day meds , but no one ever mentions that they do train on them , they just have to make sure they are clear by the time they run.
Have you ever seen a horse gush blood from its nostrils? Not a very pretty sight to see a horse in that much distress when it can be prevented by giving them a simple dieuretic.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by Honu

How do you know its not a problem ? Did you know that they train on Lasix across the pond ? I have been around too many horses from Europe with damaged lungs from bleeding in races , you think its humane to let the horses basically drown in their own blood ?
If running without Lasix is so good for the horses then how come when the Euro horses come over for the Breeders Cup and other big races they run on Lasix ?

In Australia, you can't race as a bleeder. No lasix allowed. You get about two chances to bleed, and then you are gone.

This takes care of a lot of problems. Just ban the horses from racing if they bleed.

No racing

No wins

No stud career

No worries

[Sightseek]

This is the follow-up of the recent published and questioned salix overages from the Keeneland meet. Oops, they tossed some of the split samples

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=39776

[dellinger63]

Originally Posted by Scurlogue Champ

In Australia, you can't race as a bleeder. No lasix allowed. You get about two chances to bleed, and then you are gone.

This takes care of a lot of problems. Just ban the horses from racing if they bleed.

No racing

No wins

No stud career

No worries

wonder if that policy helps the exportation of horse meat business

But the export of horsemeat from Australia has been going on since the 1970s, though only in a small way back then. The first major export was 7777 tonnes in 1981. The biggest ever year was 1986 when 9327 tonnes were shipped out, representing the slaughter of well over 30,000 horses. After that, although it fluctuated, there was a steady decline to 6000 tonnes in 1999, then it halved again to some 3000 tonnes in 2003, representing about 10,000 horses. But the price has steadily risen, due at least in part to the mad cow disease scares causing people to turn away from beef. The approximate export value per kilogram in 2004 was $3.30 compared with $2.70 in 1999.[2] This translates to a great deal more on the dinner table, over US$50/kg according to some sources.[3]

It is not we Australians who are eating our horses because it is illegal to eat horsemeat here. It is diners mainly in Europe who are indulging, plus some Japanese. The two abattoirs in Australia licensed to export horsemeat are in fact Belgian-owned. They are at Peterborough in South Australia (Metro Velda Pty Ltd) and Caboolture abattoir in Queensland (Meramist Pty Ltd).

[jwkniska]

Originally Posted by geeker2

Doesn't drug free racing work in Europe?

it works perfectly fine in Dubai.