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Issue link: https://thehorse.epubxp.com/i/551477
24 TheHorse.com THE HORSE September 2015 Meanwhile, the Horse Protection Amendments Act of 2014 (S 2913) would have given lawmakers an alternative way to prevent soring. That proposed legisla- tion would have created one HIO to man- age horse shows where Tennessee Walk- ing Horses or other sport horses compete. That HIO would have been composed of equine veterinarians and industry experts who would develop and implement protocols, guidelines, testing policies, and inspection policies for the industry. Those industry experts would have been drawn from states most impacted by the Tennes- see Walking Horse industry. Finally, the bill would have required that testing used in Walking Horse inspections be done "through objective science-based methods and protocols" and preserve the oversight shared by the Walking Horse industry and the USDA. Both bills died in the 113th Congress. In the absence of a new bill, Walter Chism, acting executive director of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association (TWHBEA), says his organization is stepping up to prevent abuse connected to soring. "There is no legislation," says Chism."It failed to garner enough support to get a vote in either branch of Congress, and who knows if it will surface again." In the meantime, Chism says the Ten- nessee Walking Horse industry has begun implementing objective tests, including blood tests and X rays, as a part of its inspection protocols. "This year's world championship show solicited world-renowned (veterinarians) to begin testing above and beyond what is required by HPA, investing over $100,000 toward ensuring the welfare of our show horses," he says. Doping in Horse Racing John F. Wayne, chairman of the Or- ganization of Racing Investigators says horses competing at racetracks in the United States and elsewhere are vulner- able to other suspect training practices and sometimes receive unregulated substances, misbranded drugs, or medi- cations with allegedly invalid prescrip- tions. Sometimes injected by trainers, sometimes by veterinarians, he says the substances are almost always intended to enhance equine performance. However, he adds, they often put horses at risk or injury or even death. "We did a seizure and investigation and found a treasure trove of uncatego- rized and unlabeled medications," in one trainer's possession. And in March of the year four veteri- narians were charged with administering drugs to Thoroughbred racehorses within 24 hours of when the horses were entered to race at the Penn National Race Course in Grantville, Pennsylvania. While the veterinarians' cases remain pending, Wayne believes most own- ers and trainers do want to do the right thing. "I believe that 95% of the industry follows the rules, but we have to deal with the lawless minority," he says. He also believes that doping should draw the ire of equine advocates because investigating and prosecuting it benefits the horses involved. "The horse can't tell us if something is wrong, and it's our job is to make sure that we protect the horse," Wayne says. It's good for the racing industry, too, he says: "We need to build bridges between jurisdictions that are prosecuting and investigating these cases, because it's im- portant to keep integrity and honesty in racing in order to keep the public's trust." Carriage Horse Welfare While keeping the horse industry hon- est is key, Sarah Ralston, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVN, professor and Fulbright scholar The Equine Industry's Top WELFARE ISSUES Unregulated drugs intended to enhance equine athletes' performance can actually put horses at risk of injury or even death. CHARLES MANN Which of the following equine welfare issues are you most concerned about? 42% "Unwanted" Horses 24% Slaughter 16% Soring of Tennessee Walking Horses 10% Mustang and Feral Horse/Burro Overpopulation and Gathers 7% Other 1% Horse-drawn Carriages 1,238 TOTAL RESPONSES Make your response count at TheHorse.com/polls POLL TheHorse.com