Time for Rehab?
Bobby Trussell, co-owner of Walmac farm, has a nice opinion piece at Bloodhorse that I just saw today (it’s been up for about a week).
The piece, entitled Culture Change, highlights changes in the racing culture as it pertains to frequency of racing. One thing he rightfully highlights is the outrageous use of legal drugs.
It is my belief that our horses are over-medicated to the point that they are seriously weakened. Over the last 30 years, horses have received more and more medication and have raced less and less. The drugs not only don’t work; they are counter-productive. Just look at other countries where they medicate less and race more. All drugs are toxic and our 2- and 3-year-old horses receive dozens of drugs in a given month. My average vet bill here is more than $800 per month.
The trainers are letting the vets run the game. The real problem is not illegal drugs, but the legal ones that they train and race on. Salix and Bute are given out like candy. These drugs have major side effects; just ask the humans who take them. Salix, which is used for works as well as races by many trainers, is a diuretic that depletes minerals and dehydrates a horse. Bute causes ulcers, a common ailment on the backstretch. Horses need more time to recover from their drug “hangover” after a race.
I suppose it’s not surprising given the incredible over use of legal drugs in our culture by humans. I’d love to see a general percentage of what commercials in prime time are for medications (both prescriptions and over the counter). At some point we all have to pay the piper, whether it’s the liver failure that awaits statin takers or the weakening of the bred which is already upon us.
He also goes on to point out issues with shoeing and win percentage conscious trainers as other contributing factors.
Also, check out Valerie’s post about the fire sale at West Point Thoroughbreds. I read the move as the partnerships realizing that they can make a nice profit on their very talented assets, not so much that they we would be being purchased for breeding. Am I being naive? I hope not!!
Posted by dana on Oct 03 2007
Filed Under: Drugs, West Point Thoroughbreds, You Tell 'em!, 2007, Breeding
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This is all very true information, which occurs on the backside every day. Have you ever seen what goes into a feed bucket every day? Enough to make even Barry Bonds choke!
Horses train on bute and are weaned off of it within a specific window prior to race time. Some tracks allow a perscribed bute dosage on race day as well. (WO) Basically, bute being the ultimate pain killer. The interesting part is that bute is very old school. In today’s world, these medications are more sophisticated and will continue to be.
The stewards and tracks are and will be a step behind on this. Vets are controlling the horse direction. I touch on this here Cobra Venom and here The Money Circle.
Ugh, sadly I’m not surprised… particularly, and again, thinking of how meds are over used by humans. Do you think it’s the same sort of thing that drug manufacturers are giving vets “incentives” to push their meds?
Who even makes cobra venom?
Labs, one to note: Miami Serpentarium Lab
Andrew Beyer, wrote a good article back in July on this in relation to the Patrick Biancone incident.
Interesting Beyer article, I missed that one. Man, it’s so ridiculous how little accountability there is. Over whipping is another issue where nothing is done… I STILL can’t believe that Javier Castellano was never reprimanded for his ride on Indian Flare.
At least Biancone got a suspension, would have been nice if it would have started immediately.
i train horses on the southern california circuit. sadly overmedication is the rule rather than the exception. horsemanship was valued 20 years ago and more but today many of the high profile trainers depend on veterinarians to make all their decisions. i can,t just blame trainers or vets because many owners make unreasonable demands of the trainers and force their actions with little concern for the welfare of the horses. i wish that we could enforce a zero tolerance policy towards drugs. the sport would be a lot better and many horses might live a few more years.
Thanks for the comment John, it’s interesting to you get your point of view… it’s also interesting to know what the root of the decisions to rely so heavily on vets.
I share your hope for zero tolerance, at the very least we’re seeing more commentary and growing support for it.