Drugs and hunter shows?

Gary Stuart · Well Schooled

Drugs and hunter shows?

kschmittendorf · Well Schooled

You might be able to check on the USEF website to find some information on testing. I am sure that most of the top level horses are on some form of anti inflammatory and/or pain meds, just like humans take naproxim sodium. They can't train and perform at that level without some assistance. It would be interesting to know what the official rules are but sadly I doubt there is much enforcement or punishment. I have read about quite a few race horse trainers that have been caught numerous times and pay a minimal fine and keep going. They are not sanctioned or have any criminal charges filed. And they should! It is animal abuse to mask pain so much that an animal will still continue to perform despite injury.

Gary Stuart · Well Schooled

I was thinking of some sort of calming agent for the hunters.

Horse-hearted · Advanced

Amazing stuff- it's called Quietex. I think you can only get it in the states though. It does not test positive, and focuses your horse and releives anxiety, as opposed to making them dopey.

spirithorse · Advanced

There are also flower herbal remedies that do not test positive.

SoftTouchTraining · Well Schooled

Massage works wonders as well. I use to have a quarter horse gelding when I was little that would get more nervous the closer it came to us going in the ring. One day my mom was standing next to us and started rubbing his neck and massaging him from poll to shoulder, after a few minutes he stopped wanting to dance and throw his head. By the time he went in the ring, he had a dopey expression on his face from being so relaxed, but it was one of the best performances he had done til then. So then before every class my mom would spend 5 minutes or so rubbing him and it seemed to totally calm him. I've been studing massage therapy for personal use on my horses and have started massaging all my horses before tacking them up at shows. They warm up better and just seem more relaxed and happier.

Laura F · Well Schooled

I've heard it's pretty standard to use Atrivet.

Barbara F · Grand Prix

I've heard about the Atrivet too. Imagine if it could be used at dressage shows. No more horses shying at the flower pots. ;)

deb · Well Schooled

Hi

Fear has far more to do with why horses run to the point of ruin... drugs are a small part... a horse will run farther and faster for fear-- they are flight animals... after 20+ years in the game I can tell you that while drugs help some... they are tested for... some people on some small tracks have gotten away with things due to family, or friends working in the test barn... but mostly where drugs are concerned the bigger names have their own machines to see what levels they can get away with, or use things that are not tested for... or use lasix which is simply used to mask other drugs and to make sure that the horse does not retain... lasix is allowed in Canada, this is supposedly for bleeders... but is not really as it does not work for this... as has been proven... the lasix program is a sham, but is how most people get buy the drug testing... this is known to the Racing Commisions which are corrupt as well. Horses will run farther and faster after having a harness bag put over their head, and either being whipped to a frenzy, or whiped and electrocuted, or just simply screamed and yelled at, a whip being slashed on a wall, and a cord being plugged in to the 110, and the other cut end used to put 'hydro' to the horse...!!!! So while the window dressing of drug abuse in horse racing is put out there, the real secret to making horses run that don't want to run is acutally abuse... plain and simple. While I DO NOT agree with drugs used in racing, I will say that abuse is far a worse thing in racing... I fought against both and even sued the Commission in the hopes of bringing about change... it got me nothing, just meant that I left the game for 10 years...

If horse racing were to be ended today I would be happy... but until it is I will race drug free, and abuse free... it is the only way I can afford to keep my two horses.

take care Deb