Leading by Example - by Eric Mitchell

re: Leading by Example - by Eric Mitchell

Deltalady — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 06:47:11 GMT

Wow, Eric! You got your wish!

www.bloodhorse.com/.../owners-pledge-no-race-day-meds-for-juveniles

40 owners announced today they will race their 2 yr olds free of Lasix!

This is great news, however, I hope the owners' trainers read the memo and won't sabotage this effort by failing to adjust their training methods to accommodate this going "cold turkey". In Europe, horses in training are not held days on end in their stalls, which is very deleterious to horses' feet. I'm sure there are other adjustments American trainers will have to make, and I hope it is made clear that "failure is not an option" in making this experiment work.

re: Leading by Example - by Eric Mitchell

Pat Lee — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:47:18 GMT

Don't forget that the people who benefit from a lasix ban are the big breeders like Mr. Casner . . . I think the ultimate goal is to "purify" the breed as the Germans do . . . no stallions can be bred who have ever used lasix, and we move on from there (e.g., only Grade I winners allowed to breed). All the little guys will be forced out. Lasix is salutory for racehorses--80-90% of horses bleed. It is a necessary drug...not a bad drug, all of which have basically been banned already.

re: Leading by Example - by Eric Mitchell

judgebork — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:27:00 GMT

The official Notice Of Hearing relating to Monday's Subcommittee On Health hearing at Unionville High School in Kennett Square, PA is very clear in stating "Witnesses will be announced and are by invitation only" This condition presents a perfect script for taking only favorable testimony from previously selected (and screened) witnesses and then selecting certain sound bites and presenting them later as fact. A typical government action taken in matters that should, in reality, be a search for truth. Truth, along with honor and integrity are being removed from our American Culture. The closer one gets to The Beltway, the faster the rate of decline increases.

I have not reached a final conclusion on race day Lasix, but I am leaning toward no race day medication. With that in mind I still do not want the Pro Lasix supporters silenced. The industry screams for a resolution to this problem but it should only come from science and not emotion or self serving individuals. The conditions placed on Monday's hearing are a clear indication that government will not support such a resolution. For those advocates of Federal Regulation of Horse Racing, you will not realize what has happened until it is too late.

re: Leading by Example - by Eric Mitchell

Mac Macus — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:35:45 GMT

I love this sport.

My bank account is not the kind that allows breeding/owning race horses. (They don't call it 'The Sport of Kings' for no reason)

I share my love of the sport with my non-race fan friends when opportunity arises. If a big race is televised, I try and provide back stories on the horses, jockeys, trainers involved.

A female friend of mine actually cried when I once explained 'The 70 year old trainer of the #4 horse has been in the game for forty years and this is his first 'big' horse. The horse lost, she cried.

Another friend once stated he didn't think it 'right' that the riders would 'whip' the horses to make them run faster. I explained (to his satisfaction at least) the concept of the 'whip'. (more of a communication device between rider and horse...no pain/damage...prey animal response...blah, blah, blah.)

I have turned many people on to thoroughbred racing, by simply pointing out that 'over hundreds of years these animals have been bred and inbred with the goal of producing magnificent creatures of speed, stamina, heart and courage...I recount the stories of Secretariat, Man O'War, Native Dancer etc...I point to the sire success of A.P. Indy and Storm Cat.

After one such 'history lesson' a non-racing friend observed, "If the goal of the thoroughbred industry, is through selective breeding, to produce a superior animal and showcase those skills on the race track, then why would they allow drugs to be used to either allow a horse to race or to enhance a horse's performance?!"

"Wouldn't that be something 'horse people' would abhor?" "Wouldn't that be counter to the whole concept of the thoroughbred?"

I have no answer for that.

As long as 'doping' is allowed there will be a taint upon our beloved sport.

Until a national regulatory body is established, no significant strides will be possible on this issue.

The general public feels that the racing industry is actually filled with people more than willing to try to 'make a buck' at the expense of horses, rather than with people who love horses.

God Bless Mr. Casner and his stand against doping, he is a true gentleman in the Sport of Kings.

re: Leading by Example - by Eric Mitchell

Lise from Maine — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:16:08 GMT

Hi!

Using medications, other than their use for medical reasons, should not be allowed.

It appears to be cheating in order to have a chance to win.

The horse racing industry needs to assure the public that everyone is playing evenly without adding some assistance such as medications for horses who do not have a medical problem.

Furthermore, some of the horses have adverse reactions, for ex., Life at Ten.

It is unfair to the horses first of all, the jockeys who ride them, the fans, and also the betting fans.

Thank you!

Lise from Maine