New Column from Beyer

[tiggerv]

Latest article from Andrew Beyer. Apologies if this was already posted.

"Yet despite the evidence that the U.S. medication policy has been a failure, horsemen have regularly resisted most efforts to curb the use of medications. American racing is addicted to drugs, and American horses will never again be fueled by hay, oats and water alone. But until the industry faces the medication issue seriously, all of its efforts to address equine safety will be misguided."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...051102197.html

[sumitas]

We have come face to face with the enemy. And it is us.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by sumitas

We have come face to face with the enemy. And it is us.

I agree with Beyer's article...meds and breeding are the main problems and changing breeding practices directly is impossible (although the argument that going to poly everywhere would impact breeding is interesting). The whip is more cosmetic but I think it could also be examined. While I seriously doubt that anything could have prevented the tragic breakdown of Eight Belles, perhaps the fallout...especially from INSIDE the racing industry might finally produce some meaningful changes...??

[zippyneedsawin]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

I agree with Beyer's article...meds and breeding are the main problems and changing breeding practices directly is impossible (although the argument that going to poly everywhere would impact breeding is interesting). The whip is more cosmetic but I think it could also be examined. While I seriously doubt that anything could have prevented the tragic breakdown of Eight Belles, perhaps the fallout...especially from INSIDE the racing industry might finally produce some meaningful changes...??

Yes, the stallions would object.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by zippyneedsawin

Yes, the stallions would object.

LOL Zippy, although they might enjoy longer, more meaningful relationships rather than "wham, bam, thank you Mam"...LOL!

[Better Than Honour]

He is 100% correct. It would only be fitting if Dutrow were to win the Triple Crown in a tarnished error of horse racing. Just like Bonds being the HR leader.

Lesson: The trainers with the best veterinarian are the winners.

[sumitas]

The racing establishment. Horse racing people as a whole for allowing this to happen. I wish I could do more too.

[cmorioles]

One of his best recently. I'd vote him racing commissioner in a second if there was such and thing.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

One of his best recently. I'd vote him racing commissioner in a second if there was such and thing.

Co-chair with Crist... we might actually make some progress in this game if that actually happened

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I'd love to hear responses from people who disagree with you on this one, meaning the hiring of a media type who might not have ever owned or trained a horse, in addition to never having worked in racetrack management, or for an auction company, or for a gate/maintenance crew, or as a vet.

He has, however, bet on horses.

I agree. A good column, but a racing commissioner, I think not.

[johnny pinwheel]

[quote=tiggerv]Latest article from Andrew Beyer. Apologies if this was already posted.

"Yet despite the evidence that the U.S. medication policy has been a failure, horsemen have regularly resisted most efforts to curb the use of medications. American racing is addicted to drugs, and American horses will never again be fueled by hay, oats and water alone. But until the industry faces the medication issue seriously, all of its efforts to address equine safety will be misguided."

QUOTE] he is right on and it goes way beyond horses. the whole damn nation is hooked on "meds". unfortunatley 3 years ago i came down with a chronic illness with no cure(menieres disease-chronic vertigo,deafness and balance loss). they had me on 6 to 8 different pills a day. probably only 2 of them did **** for me. since theres no cure, i feel like some kind of test market ginea pig. the drug companies are making a fortune whether this crap is good for people or the horses. race day meds should be a definite no-no. if a horse has to be doped up to run it probably should not be racing. but this whole drug and anything for the bottom line is a big problem for the whole society. it goes way, way beyond horse racing. capitalism is great, but greed and hypocrosy rule the country right now. instead of doing the right thing, its all about money,short cuts and doing the easiest thing. as long as theres a profit to be made. look for more horses to be carted off unless things change. and i don't care if they run them on down pillows!

[freddymo]

[quote=johnny pinwheel]

Originally Posted by tiggerv

Latest article from Andrew Beyer. Apologies if this was already posted.

"Yet despite the evidence that the U.S. medication policy has been a failure, horsemen have regularly resisted most efforts to curb the use of medications. American racing is addicted to drugs, and American horses will never again be fueled by hay, oats and water alone. But until the industry faces the medication issue seriously, all of its efforts to address equine safety will be misguided."

QUOTE] he is right on and it goes way beyond horses. the whole damn nation is hooked on "meds". unfortunatley 3 years ago i came down with a chronic illness with no cure(menieres disease-chronic vertigo,deafness and balance loss). they had me on 6 to 8 different pills a day. probably only 2 of them did **** for me. since theres no cure, i feel like some kind of test market ginea pig. the drug companies are making a fortune whether this crap is good for people or the horses. race day meds should be a definite no-no. if a horse has to be doped up to run it probably should not be racing. but this whole drug and anything for the bottom line is a big problem for the whole society. it goes way, way beyond horse racing. capitalism is great, but greed and hypocrosy rule the country right now. instead of doing the right thing, its all about money,short cuts and doing the easiest thing. as long as theres a profit to be made. look for more horses to be carted off unless things change. and i don't care if they run them on down pillows!

Do you have any of those pills left?