The case for clean racing; hay, oats, water

Horse racing is a tradition-rich sport celebrating horses’ remarkable athleticism and unbreakable bond with their human partners. For centuries, these magnificent animals have showcased their speed, strength, and heart on racetracks worldwide. However, to truly honor these values and protect the well-being of the horses, we must return to basics: racing with horses fueled only by hay, oats, and water – or, by natural means only.

The use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) tarnishes the spirit of fair competition and jeopardizes the very lives of the horses we cherish.

In recent years, the use of performance-enhancing substances in horse racing has become a growing concern. While some argue that these substances are necessary to keep horses competitive, they can harm the animals’ health and undermine the integrity of the sport. By advocating for a natural approach, we prioritize the horses’ welfare over just winning and ensure that only their natural abilities are the driving force behind their success on the track.

Unfair Advantage and Integrity

Imagine two racehorses, both born with exceptional potential and trained by skilled horsemen. One horse is raised on a diet of pure hay, oats, and water, while the other is given a cocktail of performance-enhancing substances. When they meet on the track, is it a fair competition? Is the playing field level when one horse’s natural abilities are artificially enhanced? These disparities cut to the core of fairness in sports.

The use of PEDs not only creates an unfair advantage but also undermines the integrity of the competition. When horses no longer compete solely on their natural merits, the very essence of horse racing is compromised. High-profile doping scandals, such as in 2020, when “More than two dozen trainers, veterinarians and others in horse racing were charged in a widespread doping scheme that ‘amounted to nothing less than abuse,’” illustrate the corrosive impact of PEDs on the integrity of racing.

The use of PEDs is categorically unfair, unethical, and detrimental to racing. It robs naturally talented horses of their rightful place in the winner’s circle, deceives the betting public, and erodes confidence in the fairness of the sport. All those who value genuine competition – owners, trainers, drivers, fans, and regulators – should unite in condemning this practice.

Horse Welfare is A Non-Negotiable Priority

The use of PEDs in horse racing not only creates an uneven playing field but also poses significant risks to the health and well-being of the horses. These substances can cause a range of dangerous side effects, from behavioral changes to life-threatening medical conditions.

For instance, an increase in testosterone or its synthetic alternatives can lead to aggressive and “stallion-like” behavior in otherwise well-trained and tamed mares (Source). This unpredictable and potentially dangerous behavior compromises the safety of the horses and their handlers.

Moreover, many PEDs are designed to increase blood volume, forcing a horse’s heart to work much harder than normal. Studies have shown that these drugs can cause a horse’s heart to process up to 65% more blood volume, even when the animal is at rest (Source). This excessive strain on the cardiovascular system can have long-term detrimental effects on the horse’s health. The full scope of these effects is unknown, as the damage may only manifest years after the horse’s racing career ends.

Perhaps most alarmingly, some PEDs are used to mask pain, allowing horses to race with existing injuries. This practice significantly increases the risk of catastrophic breakdowns on the track. As one expert contends, “even legal, therapeutic drugs that serve merely as pain medicine actually pose the greatest risk to the horse” (Source).

The potential side effects of PEDs are not limited to pain masking and increased blood volume. A study on the use of fluphenazine decanoate, a drug used to improve performance, revealed “unpredictable, severe, and possibly life-threatening effects” in racehorses, including neurological issues, respiratory failure, and acute renal failure (Source).

Furthermore, sympathomimetic drugs, which stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and are prohibited in racing, have been shown to cause anxiety, aggression, and an increased risk of cardiovascular events in horses. Similarly, sympatholytic drugs, which block the effects of the sympathetic nervous system, can lead to decreased performance and potential respiratory issues. These substances are dangerous to the horse and the horseman handling the animal (Source).

By prioritizing the health and well-being of the horses and ensuring that all competitors are racing on their natural merits alone, we can restore integrity to the sport and protect the horses from unnecessary harm.

The Fundamental Injustice of Doping in Horse Racing

In human sports, athletes who choose to use performance-enhancing drugs are knowingly taking risks with their health and accepting the consequences of their actions. But in horse racing, the horses have no say in the matter. They are at the mercy of their trainers and owners, who decide to administer PEDs without the horse’s consent or understanding.

This lack of autonomy makes doping in horse racing a fundamentally different ethical issue than in human sports. It’s not a level playing field when one competitor is forced to compete with artificially enhanced abilities while the other relies on natural talent and training. The horse being doped is an unwitting participant in a dangerous experiment, subjected to potential health risks and stripped of its right to fair competition.

Moreover, the horse cannot speak up for itself or advocate for its own welfare. It falls to us, the humans entrusted with their care, to ensure that these magnificent animals are not exploited or endangered for the sake of winning. We are morally obligated to protect their health, safety, and right to compete fairly.

Doping in horse racing is not just a matter of breaking rules or gaining an unfair advantage. It’s a betrayal of our trust and responsibility to these horses. They give their all on the track, pushing themselves to the limit for our entertainment and profit. The least we can do in return is to ensure they compete with integrity, free from the risks and injustice of performance-enhancing substances.

Preserving the Sport’s Integrity

Horse racing celebrates speed, endurance, and the connection between horse and handler. Introducing artificial enhancers corrupts this celebration, turning it into a contest of chemistry rather than natural ability and training. Those who argue for the use of drugs often claim it’s about maximizing performance and protecting investments. But at what cost? The true nature of the sport is lost, replaced by a hollow victory dependent on syringes and pills.

The real competitive edge should lie in ethical training, proper care, and natural nutrition. PEDs don’t create better horses—they create compromised athletes whose short-term gains are overshadowed by long-term detriments.

It’s Time to Return to Natural Racing

Advocating for hay, oats, and water-only diets in horse racing will preserve the dignity and health of our horses and the integrity of the sport. Clean racing ensures every victory is earned through hard work, dedication, and natural talent. Let’s commit to a future where the true spirit of horse racing is honored, and every race is a testament to pure athleticism and ethical sportsmanship.

For the integrity of the sport, the welfare of our horses, and the fairness owed to every participant, let’s champion clean racing and make it the standard for the future.

But what about Lasix?

Stay tuned for part 2 of this article, where I will be discussing the pros and cons of using Lasix in horse racing.

by Dan Kazmaier, Presiding Judge 

(to contact Dan Kazmaier, click here)