Performance Enhancing Drugs

It is very difficult for labs to detect all the illegal drugs used in the racing industry.  In the article, Horse racing: America's Most Dangerous Game?, the author, Walt Bogdanich states, Trainers who illegally inject horses full of painkillers so they can race are rarely fined or suspended.  The pain medication can mask existing injuries, so the horses pass their pre-race inspection and run faster than otherwise would.  Other horses are injected with performance enhancing substances- ranging from cobra venom to blood doping agents that cannot be detected by labs"  Another factor involved is the inconsistencies of the rules that vary from state to state.  Drugs that are legal in some states may be illegal in others.  Therefore, allowing the owners and trainers to chose their races in which they are legal and dispense these dangerous drugs without any consequences.  In one of the biggest drug scandals recently involved Dubai ruler, Sheik Mohammed, eleven horses were tested positive for steroids.  The trainer, Mahmood Al Zarooni said, "I deeply regret what has happened. I have made a catastrophic error.  Because the horses involved were not racing at the time, I did not realise that what I was doing was in breach of the rules of racing."  The case is under investigation and these horses have been banned from racing.  A clear example of how the flagrant use of drugging has now become a global epidemic.

http://www.npr.org/2012/05/10/152363564/horse-racing-americas-most-dangerous-game

In a recent article published in The Pittsburgh Post Gazette titled, Horse racing has Grim Underside, the author Bill Towland discusses the injuries, the use of illegal drugs to mask these injuries and the alarming number of deaths that are on the rise in the sport of horse racing.  He states, 'Between 700 and 800 racehorses are injured and die every year,with a national average of about two breakdowns for every 1000 starts."  It is difficult for veterinarians to diagnose certain injuries such as strained tendons and hairline fractures, which can worsen causing serious and potentially fatal injuries.  In an interview with a former Churchill Downs public relations director, he states, "There are trainers pumping horses full of illegal drugs every day. Which so much money on the line, people will do anything to mask injuries or make their horse run faster."
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sectionfront/life/horse-racing-has-grimunderside-437

The man Behind the Stall Doors

Luis Garcia, a groom, was my last phone interview in regards to human and horse relationships.  It was quite apparent that it is difficult for him to separate his emotions and forming a strong bond with these animals due to the nature of his job and the amount of time he spends with these animals.  "Part of my job description is to get to know these animals personalities, their likes and dislikes, habits and develop ways to soothe and keep horse calm before a race. He admits that he is the exception.  There are many grooms that mistreat their horses due to lack of patience and respect for the animal.  "Many race horses are treated like machines and they merely go through the motions of grooming and caring for them.  It is heartbreaking when a horse is claimed or sent to the slaughter house because they are no longer an asset.  It never is easy, you just have to accept it as part of the business in the racing industry."

The Trainer

My next interview was with Joe Geiss, a race horse trainer fo 15 years.  Basically, he shared the same views as owner Bill Harris.  He felt that the human and horse relationship in horse racing is treated like a business.  The horse is well cared for and treated like an athlete however, their lives are scheduled and there is not much time due to travel and training to develop a strong bond.  He believes he runs a "clean barn", meaning there is no drugging to improve performance or mask injuries.  He states, “Illegal drugging runs rampart in the horse industry due to the inability of drug tests to detect certain drugs.”  His love and respect for horses has led him to his profession as a trainer, however, he avoids getting too attached to his horses because many things can happen it is a dangerous sport in which he has little control of the fate of a race horse.

  

Horse Racing as Entertainment and Business

My next course of action was to delve into the world of horse racing and further examine the human and horse relationships involved in the media.  The first phone interview was with Bill Harris, a race horse owner for over 25 years.  He has had success in winning the prestigious Breeder's Cup and is proud to have two world record holders. When asked if he considers his race horses to be loyal pets or assets/commodities, he replied, "Although I have the utmost respect and love for these animals, in order to survive in this tough business one cannot get emotionally attached.  It would tear you apart both emotionally and financially.  It is a business."  However, he adds that he is very concerned for what is best for the horse and that they deserve to be humanely treated at all costs. He strongly opposes the use of any type of performance enhancing drugs.  He admits it is a common practice in the horse racing industry to use these drugs to mask injuries which can be harmful to the health of the horse.

A Glance at Horses and Advertising

Cute right? Yes this advertisement indeed touched my heart and does tell a well produced story of the relationships between horses and humans.  In this case this Clydesdale's first owner. This commercial was released during Super Bowl 13 and gained a great amount of popularity since then.  Right after the 1930 prohibition repeal  Anheuser Busch has used these Budweiser Clydesdale horses as a symbolic marketing that has continued to flourish today. But since when do horses drink beer?

The Motion Picture Industry

Horses have been a huge contribution to the film industry starting in 1878 when Edward Muybridge first experimented with motion pictures by taking a  rapid series of photos which displayed a horse  galloping. This experiment not only was the start of motion picture, but it also proved the physiology of a horses gallop. Muybridge and his experiment proved that horses appear to leave all hooves at one point in their gallop. It is amazing to think that an animal was the main contributing actor to establish this industry so long ago.  But did this event spark the use and abuse of animals in film? 

Bizzare Findings Regarding Horse Tripping

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/07/horse_tripping_video_fuels_deb.html


Above is a link to an interesting story that involves the corruption behind the practices of horse tripping. I am glad my J412 teacher showed me this link, because it shows how unjust our society has become when using horses as entertainment. This story by Eugene Weekly tells the story of a recent arrest of a SHARK  (SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness)Volunteer at a rodeo where horse tripping is practiced. This article involves the horse tripping video I previously posted yesterday. How can Horse Tripping be stopped if law enforcement is on the "horse Tripper's" side?