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[Joan Deutsch]

Has anyone heard of this at horse shows?


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/28/us/ponys-death-draws-notice-to-drugs-in-show-ring.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

[4HMom]

There is a reason that most the big show grounds have sharps containers in the stalling area including Monroe.

[kriss10]

The last place I boarded was a big show facility (big facility, not so many big shows any more) and there were sharps containers at the end of several aisles. It is absolutely ridiculous the amount of drugs given to horses in the name of a ribbon. And it is even worse when there is money involved, which there is at even the lower levels if you are paying a trainer. People don't like to lose, and will win at any cost. It is, after all, just an animal if it dies right? Just use, abuse it, toss it out at the auction, and buy a new one. No big deal, stat the process over again... People make me sick.

[Joan Deutsch]

The United States Equestrian Federation responds, saying this is a challenging case that points to their limitations.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/12/28/us/28equestrian-letter.html?ref=us

[kriss10]

They need to ban all drug use and suspend anyone caught or suspected of giving any horse any drug. A horse should not be competing if he needs daily doses of banamine, or any pain killer, or calming agent. I, personally, am not even a fan of joint injections, but I feel that is a bit of a gray area. I know my neice has a 12 year old gelding that she jumps, and the horse already has arthritis so bad that he reaquires regular injections and will probably retire now that she has a new horse. At 12, he is all used up. It is a shame.

Edited to say - drug use should be banned at shows - period. I certainly understand the therapeutic use of pain relievers and agree that they should be used under the direction of a vet for short period of time. But they should never be used so you can show a horse that is in pain.

[horsepeople2001]

I don't think any of us can say we have never used any pain meds on our horses, but for legit reasons and then they didn't get worked on top of the pain meds they got time off till they healed up. I won't work any animal that has a limp or is in pain of any kind if I know it period. If it is a permanent thing then they either get put down or can be pasture pets depending on the severity of the issue. I won't breed any horse in pain either that just adds to the dumb factor.

[Real time]

That just goes to show why I don't show or have any desire to. I had no idea there is so much excessive drug use in the industry. Not any better than horseracing it seems.

A few times in the past when I've had a horse for lease, the majority of the people who have inquired wanted the horse for jumping or pony club + jumping. Wouldn't that be convenient - you jump the leased horse until you ruin it, and then return it back to the owner and move on to the next one.

I can count on one hand the number of times I've given one of my horses pain meds. (Twice for colic and once for an abscess) They were always prescribed by my vet. It is too bad vets will hand over drugs to clients knowing they will be misused. However, if they don't the client will just move on to a different vet.

[4HMom]

As a horseshow mom, my first thought on reading this is for the kids riding these heavily sedated horses and ponies. Not just riding them in flat classes but jumping them!