I was at a show at Chatt Hills this past weekend. I saw that USEF had drug testers there. How do you feel about this? Is it a huge irritation/inconvenience when your horse is selected or just part of the show?
Part of the show and not unexpected.
hugely in favor of it. Bottom line is that it protects horse welfare
It is part of showing. If you are selected the testers cannot interfere with the needs of the horse ( cooldown, after a performance) They will stay with the horse until it is settled and you or an agent will be part of the collection process.
You can read more about the testing process in the USEF web site
I’m always glad to see that my drug testing fee is actually being put to good use.
[QUOTE=MHM;7717052]
I’m always glad to see that my drug testing fee is actually being put to good use.[/QUOTE]
:lol: That’s exactly how I felt when our pony was pulled for testing last year. Would have been happier if they had come up to us 2 minutes earlier when he was peeing though.
[QUOTE=lcw579;7717064]
:lol: That’s exactly how I felt when our pony was pulled for testing last year. Would have been happier if they had come up to us 2 minutes earlier when he was peeing though.[/QUOTE]
Yes, I had one tech this summer who was still organizing her paperwork when the pony started to go the moment he went in the stall. I warned her, too! :lol:
There was another pony many years ago who out waited the tech because she insisted on staying inside the stall with him, even though I told her he would not go with her in there. The second she gave up and walked away, he got down to business. 
This was my first year doing USEF sanctioned shows and wouldn’t you know I got tested at my first one. I had no problem with it. the tester came up to me after I had just completed a class and told me I was randomly selected and asked if I had anything else to do that day. I did have one more class, luckily following the one I just did, so she said she would wait and we’d do it all after I was finished. They gave me time to cool off my horse and while we patiently waited for him to do his thing, after about 30 minutes he finally complied and we were done. They were really really nice and I felt bad as someone else had been selected and was being a total jerk about it. I figured its part of the show and I had nothing to hide so had no problem with them and of course they were flexible to allow me to finish showing and cool my horse off.
One of our trainer’s clients has a horse with narcolepsy…we know the drug testing staff pretty well! :lol: Seriously, it is just part of the A show process. The testers are usually nice, patient and professional.
I’m glad when I see them - it makes me feel like the $7 per show (or whatever it is) is actually getting used for something productive.
I’ve had horses tested several times, and the vet and tech have always been very patient, professional, and courteous. Nikki got tested once after the GP in Vermont and they were VERY patient trying to get a urine sample from her; she would start to pee, but as soon as they came in the stall, she would stop and pin her ears at them (a girl needs her privacy, I guess! She must have some crazy strong kegel muscles.). It took a while to get the sample, but they were super patient and willing to deal with her.
Honestly, I wish there were testers at all shows. Even the playing field. Been years since I showed, but when I did, we’d have testers at only a very few shows, and some years, I’d not see them at all. I don’t mind being selected, and they have always been accommodating, letting me cool out, following me to the wash rack, etc. I have not witnessed any bad behavior by exhibitors either.
I suppose it would be an inconvenience in the minds of those who cheat or overmedicate. Otherwise you sign on for it when you sign the entry blank. You pay for it too.
I remember when I was showing as a junior/recently aged out amateur, I got tested a number of times. Perhaps because I was showing in more interesting divisions than I am now? In any case, I welcome testers.
Separate note - in VT I noticed all of the barns had sharps containers. I was a bit surprised by this due to the 12 hour rule, and am guessing that rule is just not being enforced since I haven’t read about any hearings in the “naughty list” of the magazine.
No problem, happy to comply.
[QUOTE=Another Poster;7716936]
I was at a show at Chatt Hills this past weekend. I saw that USEF had drug testers there. How do you feel about this? Is it a huge irritation/inconvenience when your horse is selected or just part of the show?[/QUOTE]
IMO, The only people who would not welcome the drug testers are people who have something to hide. The testers have strict guidelines about when and where to get urine (and/or blood) so that their job does not interfere with the exhibitor’s plans to show the horse.
NB: Once a horse has been singled out for testing, the tester is not allowd to take his eyes off the horse, even of it means hanging around at the ring for another class (i.e. the under saddle, after the o/f classes).
If that is an inconvenience, then I say “have at it”. I show drug free and I want to make sure I am playing on a level field.
Doesn’t bother me…although in Canada I don’t believe they can or do pull blood, strictly urine collection and they only wait for a certain amount of time. Generally they just follow you back to your stall and wait for about an hour and if your horse decides to cooperate they’ll collect. I’m not sure why they don’t have someone certified to pull blood, wouldn’t bother me in the slightest, I’ve got nothing to hide! Seems though, that’s it the same people with nothing to hide, that get “stalked” each and every show :lol: Not sure why they just don’t go back to the automatic testing of 1st place or champion of each division?
Boston HJ… Not that you’re saying you’re not in favor, I realize, but I happen to be all for having sharps containers. They stop exhibitors, trainers, whoever, from injecting and then throwing dirty, used needle and syringe into the manure bin. I’ve seen with discouraging frequency said used syringes in the wrong places…
Good for the sanitation people, good for the environment.
[QUOTE=Another Poster;7716936]
I was at a show at Chatt Hills this past weekend. I saw that USEF had drug testers there. How do you feel about this? Is it a huge irritation/inconvenience when your horse is selected or just part of the show?[/QUOTE]
It is part of showing and I am not sure why anyone would find it to be an issue.
[QUOTE=BostonHJ;7718382]
Separate note - in VT I noticed all of the barns had sharps containers. I was a bit surprised by this due to the 12 hour rule, and am guessing that rule is just not being enforced since I haven’t read about any hearings in the “naughty list” of the magazine.[/QUOTE]
Due to the 12 hour rule?
You can still inject with stuff 12+ hours prior to competing and it’s not nefarious. Adequan, for example.
My horse was selected at the last show (and we are just long stirrup/low level competitors). It was no big deal. The vet was nice and everything went smoothly. I was glad to see the rules being enforced as I think it shows the welfare of the horses is being looked after.
My horse, however, refused to pee while the vet was in the stall. She kept looking at him, like what the hell are you doing here. They just did their blood samples and left after a no-pee hour.
I am completely for it and think that yes it is helpful. (esp when you get charged $7 every show/week for every horse you ride. Doesn’t sound like a lot but if show 2/3 weeks a month 10 months out of the year it adds up.)
However, I dont think it should be completely random. I think the champion/reserve horse should be drug tested, not the horse that got 8th or a low ribbon or no ribbon at all. Esp. In the bigger hunter/jumper divisions at the big shows. For example, I would rather have the champion junior hunter get drug tested the the horse that had two rails in the .90m, as realistically what horse has a higher chance of having had drugs or other medication.
In regards to the vet:
95% of the time the vets and techs are very polite and accommodating. Per USEF rules/guidelines they can not interfere with the horse’s cool down/other routine.
