I'll Have Another's Vet Records (5/23 thru 6/10/2012)

[zinn21]

Link to report:

http://www.bloodhorse.com/pdf/IHAVetRecords2012.pdf

[wilf]

Reading this list at first looks overwhelming but closer inspection reveals your basic check list to cover a horse in the toughest training schedule heading for a shot at history and even though I am a minimalist as far as pre-race vet work there isn't much there that I would leave out in the same scenario. The list shows a regular series of vitamin/electrolyte "jugs" to avert any dehydration during the appalling heat and humidity of the north eastern summer;regular shots of polyglycan a wonderful supportive injectable for wear and tear issues of the equine joints. Omeprazole to relieve possible ulcer problems ,blood counts to check for hidden issues, a liver cleanser and acupuncture work to help the horse into his big day.Closer to raceday there is a shot of bute and dex which is par for the course on US racetracks;those are the only anti-inflammatory shots administered. Nowhere mentions any invasive joint or tendon injections which would have given a false sense of well-being to the injuries that ended his career.

[zinn21]

Wilf, my only beef and this is in general is all trainers including my own do way more vitamins/electrolyte treatments than we did in the past. I just don't buy these horses need so many vitamin jugs etc. but I might be wrong. I wish there was a study on this. It just seems to me as the noose around the neck of medications gets smaller and smaller, Vets are going to vitamins as a way to make money. Any thoughts?

[wilf]

Funnily enough I lean toward a simpler electrolyte drip the day before like a lactated ringers. I do feel that overuse of vitamins is as bad as none at all and I notice that when I start to fortify my night feeds with all the usual additives to compensate for the stress of racing it leads to an imbalance and the horses start to eat more dirt and clay on the ground. In other words a well balanced sweet feed will do the job if the hay quality is good enough.

[zinn21]

Wilf , the problem I believe is that Vets sell it to trainers on a fear basis. Trainers who fail to go along with the protocol are at a disadvantage over those who do. There is little scientific evidence showing multiple vitamin injections physically do anything yet trainers go along with it, I believe, out of fear that the other guy will have and edge..