Keep Safety in Perspective

re: Keep Safety in Perspective

Harmon Walker 1V — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:09:42 GMT

Not one track has failed accreditation. It is farcical.

re: Keep Safety in Perspective

Karen LaMarra — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:50:45 GMT

Unfortunately, A lot of what happens or doesn't happen will come down to money. Who will have to pay for what? The state vets on staff now are overworked. Who will perform the additional inspections and reporting? Everyone is complaining there isn't enough money to go around now. Who will pay those extra persons needed to make sure the new safety regulations are implemented? I am all in favor of doing whatever needs to be done to make the sport safer for humans and horses. And I am in favor of doing what is needed to improve the sport's perception in the eyes of the public. But before we promise a lot of changes to the system, do we know who is going to "hoof" the bills??

re: Keep Safety in Perspective

JM — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:04:06 GMT

Sorry, but the accredidation process doesn't do nearly enough to protect the horses.

This is a voluntary program.

Tracks are still not required to perform race day exams (Pinnacle).

So called track vets still do not do enough to protect horses. When a horse consistantly crosses the wire 20 - 30 lengths back, the owners should be forced to stop racing the horse. Horses are still being drugged and forced to run. Nerved horses are still allowed to race. Lame horses are still used to fill a card.

How exactly has accredidation fixed anything? And no, I don't want to hear about how this voluntary plan is a starting point. Cleaning up this industry requires much more than this. It requires hard and fast decisions for ALL tracks.

1) No more raceday drugs, period.

2) Mandatory race day exams (performed by an independent vet?).

3) Permanent suspensions for trainers, owners and horses for drugging infractions.

4) Mandatory injury and death reporting regardless of whether such an event took place during training or racing.

5) Forced retirement (not slaughter) for horses no longer willing, able or sound enough to race.

6) Full disclosure to betters regarding medications used as well as listing all veterinary procedures performed on each horse.

THIS would be a starting point.

re: Keep Safety in Perspective

Convene — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:03:15 GMT

Thanks Tom for taking the time to do that observation - and to write your blog entry. I think the issue of equine (and human) safety is one of the most important of all but, as you say, it does have to be kept in perspective. I think the inevitability of some injuries is amply illustrated by the recent news about Kona Gold. He survived his whole racing career - but was injured in his own paddock. St. Liam comes to mind as well. Horses seem to be geniuses in finding ways to hurt themselves, all too often fatally, no matter how much due care is exercised by the humans in their lives. If we keep on researching track surfaces and get rid of those darn meds (I still believe Lasix, Bute and breakdowns go hand in hand) and do diligent studies on every aspect of equine care and management, we can keep injuries to a minumum - but nothing, not even "banning" racing or other equine pursuits, will ever eliminate all injuries. I'm looking forward to reading the article. Thanks again for taking the time.

re: Keep Safety in Perspective

Rachel A. (for real) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:11:13 GMT

I respect the hard workers in the racing industry, very much.

Until horses don't run race day on pain killers, and "on demand" diuretics, the pre race vet "exam" doesn't really mean much.

Again, no disrespect to the average hard working Joe.

re: Keep Safety in Perspective

aspradling — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:04:50 GMT

I can't wait for the article Tom.

There is a reason the college and pro sports, ie NFL or NBA, review rules every year to try and create more competitive/exciting game play and focus on keeping/making the sport safer.