[RC] It's really not about the drugs IMO - oddfarm
I have to side with Truman about some of AERC's
drug rules. They have some silly stuff on the list. What I don't understand is
how could you punish a rider for having their horse test "positive" for Yucca
when there really is no REAL proof that it works? Scientist
"claiming" something to be true, doesn't make it so. I don't think that is
how science works. I am all for alternative or homeopathic
medicine, or whatever else you want to call it. Sometimes it works, and
sometimes it's just crap.
Scientist's also claimed that red wine in
moderation was good for a woman's heart health. Now they say even in
moderation there is a 20-30% chance that a woman could get breast cancer. WHAT?
That means really the only reason a woman should drink anything is just so she
doesn't kill anybody :)
We know how bute works and it is a proven drug. As
are many other drugs on the AERC list. And Bruce is right, science is always
changing the way we use drugs as in what is not working so well now, could be
improved in a few years.
The real problem isn't so much the drugs, but the
enforcement of those who illegally use them in the sport. How
in the world can AERC severely or otherwise, punish a rider for testing
positive for yucca, when AERC couldn't even afford to follow through on a
positive REAL drug test? However, now $50,000 a year is available to do "real"
testing. (for Yucca? Really??) So over the next five years, AERC will have spent
a quarter of a million dollars on drug testing when previously they
couldn't afford to follow through on other positive tests that were
challenged because everyone and their brother was suing them. HUH?
I don't get that. $250,000 would have given AERC
quite a bit of ammunition to enforce a positive "real" drug test. If they
spend it all on testing, where will the money come from to fight the
challenges of enforcement?? Back to square one.
