the galah Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Just watching American mainstream news and amongst the headlines was the reporting of the 23rd death of a thoroughbred at the track in just over 3 months. Horse racing apparently under siege from the anti racing brigade because of the unprecedented horse death numbers. The figures include those racing and those in training. Gives the sports detractors plenty of ammunition to fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Painkiller use a major -plus they hold meetings on many days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 I heard on the radio that the response has been a ban on some of the drugs previously allowed and whips can be used only "for safety" and not for just making the horse gallop faster. Can anyone confirm? Further details? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomass Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 (edited) US track bans race-day drugs, whips after 22nd horse death March 15, 2019 — 9.17am Leave a comment Los Angeles: Santa Anita Park suffered a 22nd horse fatality since December 22 on Thursday (US time), just one day after the main track was reopened for training. The horse suffered a severe injury and was euthanised. Princess Lili B broke both front legs at the conclusion of an 800-metre workout. A horse stands idle in a barn at Santa Anita Park.CREDIT:APIt was only the second day of training on the main track after Santa Anita suspended racing last week in response to the previous deaths. In a statement, the track's operator, the Stronach Group, said it was moving immediately to ban the use of race-day medications and jockey whips. Advertisement No definitive reason for the rash of horse fatalities has been identified. "What has happened at Santa Anita over the last few weeks is beyond heartbreaking. It is unacceptable to the public and, as people who deeply love horses, to everyone at The Stronach Group and Santa Anita," said Stronach Group chairman and president Belinda Stronach in the statement. Santa Anita was closed after a spate of horse deaths since late last year.CREDIT:AP "Today, I’m announcing The Stronach Group will take the unprecedented step of declaring a zero tolerance for race day medication at Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields. "We have arrived at a watershed moment. The Stronach Group has long been a strong advocate for the abolishment of race-day medication, but we will wait no longer for the industry to come together as one to institute these changes. "Nor will we wait for the legislation required to undertake this paradigm shift. We are taking a stand and fully recognise just how disruptive this might be. "Additionally, it is time to address the growing concern about use of the riding crop. A cushion crop should only be used as a corrective safety measure. "While we firmly believe our jockeys have not purposely been mistreating their mounts, it is time to make this change. "Ultimately, we recognise the owners and trainers of these horses have the final responsibility to assess their fitness for racing and training. Our goal is to make every resource available to aid them in that determination. We are all in this together to make the horse the first priority." After repeated inspections and dirt sampling, the rehiring of track consultant Dennis Moore and enhanced safety protocols, Santa Anita has been trying to move toward a resumption of racing on March 22. RELATED ARTICLE ANIMAL RIGHTS An industry could be riding to its doom Add to shortlist In all, 196 horses safely worked out at the track when it reopened on Wednesday (US time), according to a Santa Anita spokesman - 112 on the main track and 84 on the training track, a softer course where there has yet to be a fatal injury during the American winter/spring meet. Changes instituted by Santa Anita in response to the deaths included a requirement that trainers give 24-hour notice on workout requests so that veterinarians can review horses in advance and spot possible concerns. Santa Anita continued to conduct training workouts after the latest injury. The injuries, though, have many long-time horsemen voicing concerns. "It's mind-boggling to me," said trainer Art Sherman, who trained Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome. "I've never seen this as long as I've been around. In horse racing, you're always going to have accidents. "I don't know what to make of it. I'm at Los Alamitos, and we haven't had any problem at all. It's scary seeing all these breakdowns." Los Angeles Times Edited April 2, 2019 by Thomass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 (edited) Horrible, just horrible. I do have to wonder if modern training techniques have a part to play..? although why Santa Anita should bear the brunt of that, I can't imagine...but the tendency recently for a much lighter workload must have a bearing on the bone density of the horses in question. Edited April 2, 2019 by Freda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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