Living Research Paper

Jenna Ford

Professor Francis

ENC 1102

12 December 2010

Racehorse Killing Drugs

            The race horse is a magnificent animal and athlete that runs its heart out in every race. But what goes on behind the scenes? Was the horse given drugs to win its race? The use of illegal and sometimes legal drugs in horse racing can have dangerous consequences for the safety and welfare of horses. We should consider these consequences because the drugs can have effects such as, ulcers, liver failure, reproductive issues and withdrawals. All of which are extremely hazardous to a horse’s health.

            In Thoroughbred racing, drug testing has been done since 1903. According to Thomas Tobin, race horse testing has been around the longest and is the most sensitive testing in the world. “Today, racehorse testing is by far the longest established, broadest in scope and most sensitive drug testing performed on earth” (Tobin 2). The reason for drug testing is to ensure that the race horses are not winning because of certain drugs. What makes a certain drug illegal is the amount of the drug in the horse’s blood. When drug testing is performed, a tube of blood is taken from the horse and then tested for drugs such as Phenylbutazone. Phenylbutazone, also known as Bute, is an anti-inflammatory drug that is used to reduce pain. The long-term use of any drug on a race horse can have adverse effects on the horse’s body.

            For example, Bute is known to be found in horse barns all over America. It is often used to reduce swelling and to relieve pain. In the horse racing world, Bute is abused and causes health problems for the horse. When used long-term, Bute can cause painful stomach ulcers which can cause the horse to stop eating altogether. Phenylbutazone can also cause liver failure which will lead to death in the horse. Bute can be helpful but when abused it can cause the horse serious pain and health problems the rest of its life.

            Anabolic Steroids are used in horse racing to build muscle mass, increase red blood cell count, and to increase stamina. However, Anabolic Steroids cause drastic health issues for the horses subjected to the injections. According to muscleenhancers.com, aggression increases in the horses receiving the steroids as well as reproductive issues. In stallions, diminished sperm production occurred. Steroids in young horses can mean even worse problems. The young horses may stop growing and never become fertile. Martin Simensen, DVM, believes that steroids should never be used in younger horses. “I am very strongly opposed to the use of anabolic steroids in a young horse” (muscleenhancers 2). The life of talented race horses after their racing career is over is breeding. If these horses are subjected to steroids how are they supposed to produce offspring?

            Yet another cruel practice is performed on race horses called “milkshaking”. According to Brent Schrotenboer, only certain things can be given to a horse before a race. “Generally, in the hours before a race, only food, water and Lasix- a diuretic- can be administered to a horse” (Schrotenboer 2). “Milkshaking” is a process where a tube is fed through the horse’s nostril and into its stomach. A baking soda mixture, including sugar or other drugs, is pumped through the tube into the horse’s stomach. “Milkshaking” a horse causes fatigue to be delayed therefore increasing stamina. “Milkshaking” is an illegal process that officials are trying to crack down on. This process is a risk to the safety of the race horse. If a horse was subjected to “milkshaking”, it would run longer than it normally would otherwise. This increases the risk of other possible injuries to the horse. Every trainer knows that race horses are expensive and very valuable. Why risk the safety of their prize race horse by “milkshaking”?

            Britt Reinertson, ex-trainer of thoroughbred race horses, claims that some drugs are okay to use as long as they are used within legal limits:

“I had good experiences with drugs such as Bute, and Lasix. Bute and Lasix are anti-inflammatory drugs. Legal drugs used properly are beneficial and like all drugs if used improperly they can be dangerous. Yes, there were abuses with illegal drugs. The organizations I was involved with chose not to use illegal drugs because of the testing process done on all thoroughbred race horses, and it’s a risk for the animal’s welfare.”

Lastly, a process known as withdrawals occurs in race horses. This process is painful to watch due to the pain the horse is in. The horse begins to shake and cannot move. Withdrawals are where the drug the horse was so used to having just stopped being administered. The horse goes through this phase while the drugs are leaving its system completely. Reinertson says she once experienced a horse from another organization going through withdrawals from an illegal drug. “I once experienced a horse going through withdrawals from an illegal substance which caused the horse to shake at the back of his stall. It was very unpleasant to watch but there was nothing I could do.” According to Reinertson, withdrawals can last up to fourteen days.

In conclusion, the horse racing world is not just the lucky horse and jockey parading around the winners circle. Instead the horse racing world is a place of questions and dishonesty. Did the horse that won win on raw talent? Chances are that the horse was subjected to the legal amount of a drug to give it that winning edge. These four legged athletes are given drugs all the time and at what cost? The horse’s health or in quite a few cases, its life. Giving race horses drugs to win a race is an awful thing. The only time where giving a horse drugs is okay is if the horse is sick and actually needs the drugs to survive. So next time you watch the Kentucky Derby and you see the winning horse pound his way across the finish line, ask yourself this: “Did the horse really win? Or did the drug win for him?”