USEF to test equine hair

[DMK]

Good points, but I would hope the legal department (which having been burned in the past) is overly cautious and I assume/hope vetted this whole thingy. Also I don’t think anything would stop usef from publishing findings without implementing penalty. That probably would spell the end of that trainer in any meaningful manner.

But mostly I think you can get a not precise time, but a time range for when the drug shows up and if it’s been there for 6 months and the horse has shown steadily during that 6 months… Well that’s a case I’d love to see them try even if they lose. The timing on this could reasonably coincide with winter showing. And since positives are positives even if you truly believe you are innocent and somebody done you wrong, hopefully penalties follow.

If nothing else there’s some trainers who are not having a good week right now. I hope the testers are out in full force the next few weeks.

[Headsup123]

I see your point and I am equally sceptical of USEF’s desire to actually bring down the top trainers who are rumored to be engaging in this practice as you are of the enforceabiity. I know from being a long time lurker (decades) that you have a background in equine medicine. You probably don’t know since I rarely post that I am a lawyer…But given you do have medical knowledge, I was hoping you could tell me whether you think people could ask for hair testing in a pre purchase exam. Is that something that most vets could find a lab to execute, or is it some esoteric test?

[CuriosoJorge]

@Headsup123

Is that something that most vets could find a lab to execute, or is it some esoteric test?

I’m also curious to know if Ghazzu knows this, because I’m also a veterinarian and would have no idea where to send hair for a “tox screen”.

[MissMillyMolly]

Seems like an elegant solution to improve upon random testing only

[MHM]

@CuriosoJorge

@Headsup123

Is that something that most vets could find a lab to execute, or is it some esoteric test?

I’m also curious to know if Ghazzu knows this, because I’m also a veterinarian and would have no idea where to send hair for a “tox screen”.

My guess is that if USEF has a place to send it, either that place will also accept samples for tests from private clients, or some enterprising veterinarian will figure out how to replicate the testing process before very long.

It’s a whole new business opportunity for somebody.

[2bayboys]

A quick Google search reveals a dozen or more companies that do drug testing from hair samples. Surely animal hair is not so different or specialized?

[Headsup123]

thank you!

[Simkie]

Texas A & M looks to do some hair drug testing today, and UC Davis has researchers publishing about using hair for drug testing.

I’d guess that once this gets rolling, they’ll both offer their “pre purchase drug test” on hair, and that others will too.

https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/case-studies/segmental-analysis-of-hair-for-drug-detection-in-racing-horses/

https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/tests/drug-screen-beta-agonists-in-hair-or-feathers-lc-ms/

UC Davis Study Reports Successful Use of Hair Samples for Detection of...

Detection of Methylphenidate in Equine Hair Using Liquid...

[Ghazzu]

@2bayboys

A quick Google search reveals a dozen or more companies that do drug testing from hair samples. Surely animal hair is not so different or specialized?

Yes, there are a number of commercial labs that test human hair.
I’m not sure what differences there would be, but several of them state that hair testing gives a 90-day window, so that’s interesting on a number of levels.

[TWilson]

@Ghazzu

I’m adamantly opposed to using pharmacology in place of training or suitability, but I just can’t figure out how this can be practically instituted.

There are definitely more questions than answers with this news. But something really huge has to happen that will turn the hunter industry all the way over on its ass, because it has just become such an incestuous, greedy, drug-addled mess that no decent human being can possibly respect it anymore. It’s nice to see the powers that be come up with a new idea, even if it needs more time to iron out the details.

[roseymare]

There may be an influx of people who relearn how to tie in tails hair to hair like they did in the mid 80s when full fake tails were illegal in the QH world …

I am so over fake tails. I would love to see a nice neat modest non banged tail come back in style.

[roseymare]

@Amberley

I think drugging has more to do with a mix of superstition and “that’s what we’ve always done” than any sudden need to make an individual horse just 5% better than it is naturally.

Completely agree with this. Certainly true in many other breeds as well. Stock breeds and gaited breeds come to mind.

[roseymare]

I was thinking this thread makes me want to reread The Monday Horses by Jean Doty but now I have to find this Show Gypsies book. I cannot believe I haven’t heard of it!

[Ghazzu]

@roseymare

I am so over fake tails. I would love to see a nice neat modest non banged tail come back in style.

Ye gods, yes!

[Not_Your_Janice]

I could not agree with this more. As a person who was brought up in the “git er done” days but has gone through my own evolution as a horsewoman, it is more often than not infinitely harder and more expensive to do the right thing by the horse. It takes time to teach a horse self carriage for instance, but the trainers I rode with in my younger days would have just slapped some draw reins on and called it a day. Then there were the tacked nosebands, harsh bits, etc. And no one had ever heard of kissing spine. I am proud to be doing things differently than I was taught, but it is no doubt a longer road to get there but the horses are 1000% worth it.

[Not_Your_Janice]

I would be interested if it’s not already been claimed!

[snaffle1987]

I haven’t read the entirety of the thread due to time but reverting back to the noseband, martingale, bit discussion- What are the USEF Stewards doing at shows? Surely at a show like HITS and so forth it would be nearly impossible for a Steward to cover every ring or every horse but if someone is motoring around ringside and handing out written warnings and start documenting; word is going to travel like wildfire and it’s going to start making people think twice before continuing on with this nonsense.

USEF has an obligation to the horses on the grounds to protect them and set a precedent. If they are unwilling to address the glaringly obvious issues and handle it with a big stick and a stiff arm; then nothing is ever going to change

We once had a USEF steward in our area who attended everything from the A shows down to the C shows and she ruled with an iron fist. Often standing ringside just observing and approaching people for so much as spraying a horse’s legs with “Off”.

As far as the euthanasia drugs; the entire situation just makes me sick to my stomach. I don’t even want to think about where these folks are acquiring such drugs never mind standing in a stall with a needle before a show with full confidence as they inject a horse with the substance for the sake of a 25 cent ribbon. These people do not just need to be permanently banned by USEF but they need to be reported to law enforcement for animal abuse.

What’s even more sickening is these barns probably have all of their staff sign NDA agreements so they can never speak out against what goes on behind the barn doors

[NaturallyHappy]

Who would ever even have thought of something so …horrible to do???

[nutmeg]

I am sorry, it has been claimed but I am sending you a PM about the waitlist.

[trubandloki]

@snaffle1987

Often standing ringside just observing and approaching people for so much as spraying a horse’s legs with “Off”.

What is wrong with using Off?