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California Horse Racing Board explain their drug testing procedures

The rules of racing are intended to maintain a level playing field; any drug testing program is meant to monitor compliance to those rules. In reality, drug testing is a deterrent. For truly illicit activity where the intent is to take an unfair advantage (cheat), the current program in California is working well. But we know it isn't perfect. We are always looking for holes in the system and ways to improve the program.
Rick M. Arthur, DVM, - (01 July 2007 - Issue Number: 4)

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The importance of worming - keeping parasites under control

The use of homespun and herbal remedies may have been superseded by wormers formulated after lengthy research programmes, but the control of worms in the horse remains as important for horsemen today as it was when the significance of these unwanted passengers was first understood.
Dr Philip K Dyson BVMS Cert. EM and Barry Sangster BVMS MRCVS (19 May 2007)

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Bones of contention - how to maintain a strong skeleton

The expression no foot no horse’ should perhaps be extended to cover all the bones of the skeleton, for as far as racehorses are concerned, without strength and durability in this area a trainer’s job is fraught with difficulties. The number of training days lost to lameness in a season is testament to this. A racehorse diet should help to maintain the skeletal system during rigorous training. This task is no doubt easier when the skeletal foundations have been firmly laid in utero and during the rapid growing phase.

Dr Catherine Dunnet (19 October 2006 - Issue Number: 2)

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Dermatologic conditions that affect thoroughbred racehorses

Horses are similar to many other species with the skin being the largest organ in the body. This is based on overall organ size; just think about the total surface area of a 600 kg horse!; The good news is that it can be easily evaluated by visual inspection and palpation. Specific tasks for equine skin include protection from trauma, thermoregulation (temperature control; sweating and heat conservation), sensory perception, secretory function and pigmentation. In addition, it is important to recognize that skin is an important indicator of systemic health since disorders of the skin may actually indicate systemic ill health.
Elizabeth G. Davis, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, Kansas State University (16 October 2006)

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Immunostimulants and their role as an alternative to vaccines

What is immunomodulation?  By definition this simply means that we modify the natural immune response.  This can occur in one of two ways, either by boosting the response with immunostimulants or suppressing the response with medications like corticosteroids.  Currently immunostimulation has become a more widely discussed method of managing horses suffering from infectious disease.

Elizabeth Davis, DVM, PhD, Dip. ACVIM (19 September 2006)

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Osteochondritis dissecans - the development, causes and treatments of OCD

One of the most common orthopedic problems encountered in young horses is osteochondritis dissecans (OCD).  This is of particular concern in the Thoroughbred industry, where horses are often bought and sold before maturation is complete and are expected to perform starting at a relatively young age.  There are many common sources of confusion surrounding this disease.  Deborah Spike-Pierce, DVM discusses research into the development, causes and treatment of OCD.

Deborah Spike-Pierce, DVM (13 October 2006 - Issue Number: 1)

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Hoof Cracks - a very common problem in racehorses

A keen-eyed racegoer spotted a horse running in the USA last summer with six quarter cracks spread between three of its feet. While this number would be highly unusual in the UK, the problem of the hoof crack is not, and is one, which plagues the trainer, vet and farrier. For the trainer, the words “The apple of your eye has popped a quarter crack, guv’nor,” are not welcome. Some great names have won Group One and other big races carrying hoof cracks, but the onset of a crack will result at minimum in serious problems in the horse’s preparation. Nevertheless, it is quite common for several horses to have cracks of one kind or another in a larger yard at the height of summer.

Tony Lindsell (European Trainer - issue 7 - Spring 2004)

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