Drugging of horses 'normal procedure'

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robert99 Sweden • Posts: 1360

1 19 Apr 2017

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/horseracing/drugging-of-horses-normal-procedure-at-australian-turf-club-inquiry-told-20170301-guo5oi.html

In a series of allegations, stewards were told, by Chantal Lunardon and other former employees, how the retired racehorses are routinely sedated before being ridden. The drugging allegedly involves Sedazine paste and liquid acepromazine (ACE) – an injectable sedative that can only be legally given by a vet.

It is also claimed that severe pain from long shifts, poorly fitting saddles and general mistreatment is routinely masked by regular doses of the anti-inflammatory drug phenylbutazone – which is only recommended for short-term use.

Former ATC worker and veterinary nurse of 20 years, Ms Lunardon, is one of 11 witnesses who lodged formal complaints – and gave evidence – about the welfare and poor condition of the horses. "I was horrified as to what I was witnessing," she said in her submission last week.

"Every time the horses were deployed for a security job, photo shoot or ridden through Centennial Park, they were sedated."

Racing NSW chief Peter V'landys said as soon as his organisation became aware of the "alarming" allegations in mid-January, all six horses were removed from their base in Sydney's Centennial Park and transferred to a farm.

However, it was not until Fairfax Media exposed the investigation more than five weeks later that Racing NSW announced it publicly, prompting six more witnesses to come forward and give evidence.

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robert99 Sweden • Posts: 1360

2 10 May 2017

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/australian-turf-club-staff-charged-after-racing-nsw-inquiry-into-horse-cruelty-20170510-gw1az7.html

Together, they were responsible for the health and wellbeing of donated, former race horses that had been retrained for life after the track.

But on Tuesday, Michelle Steele and Dennis Mitchell were hit with a string of charges, under the Australian Rules of Racing, following a Racing NSW inquiry into alleged horse cruelty and mistreatment at the Australian Turf Club's mounted security division.

As well as ceremonial duties on race days, the horses were used by the ATC as props-for-hire at festivals, private functions and in modelling shoots, as well as for television shows including Australia's Next Top Model.

However, according to explosive evidence aired at two Racing NSW hearings, all was not well behind the scenes, with ATC employees having allegedly engaged in a "deliberate program" of sedating the retired throroughbreds so they would behave during gruelling shifts.

As the ATC's Mounted Security co-ordinator, Ms Steele has been charged with two counts of improper conduct relating to the care and welfare of horses under her supervision.

Along with Mr Mitchell, who is the ATC's general manager of security, risk and investigations, she has been issued with two charges of failing to provide veterinary treatment when necessary and an additional count of conduct prejudicial to the image of racing, which relates to general treatment of the animals and their stabling conditions.

While both employees refused to comment when approached by Fairfax Media on Wednesday, the ATC released a statement stating it "accepts" the findings of Racing NSW stewards.

"Unfortunately it is alleged that on occasions over the past two years two staff members ... breached the Australian Rules of Racing," ATC chief executive Darren Pearce said.

(I'd get banned if I wrote what I think ... )