There are a ton of BNT’s/NNT’s who do whatever it takes to satisfy the unreasonable expectations of their clients that their horses should be “guaranteed performers” because “$X” was spent to purchase and train them. If you think that “$X” money coming into the barn each month from this type of client doesn’t cloud the judgement of many trainers, you are mistaken. They are all too ready to serve the former clients of trainers who would prefer to educate rather than medicate, and there are a ton of clients who don’t really care about a trainer’s prior reputation or record and instead accept the endorsement of previously “satisfied” customers with whom they are socially or otherwise acquainted. And since the training profession is completely without regulation, prospective clients normally have NO way to check out a trainer’s credentials beyond showring achievements, making these even more valuable to obtain by any means. Suspended trainers are only prohibited from showing, and are well able to make a living from sales, lessons, and developing new prospects during their “vacation time.”
These are the realities of the system, and no amount of justification for using LEGAL medications for the well-being of the horse will ever change the motivations for using other medications that are illegal for those who are willing to do so. The penalties aren’t swift, are unevenly applied, and aren’t widely enough publicized to do much harm to an individual’s business prospects or reputation; witness the many excuses that have beeh held up as justification for illegal drug use, and the reluctance to even consider training methods or moderate show schedules that don’t include resorting to the medicine chest.
either way, to each his own…I like the jumpers more anyway!