Hyperbaric oxygen therapy - Drug free performance enhancer?...

[derby1592]

I ran across this Bob Baffert quote regarding Vindication and his recovery from injury:

\"He\'s undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy.\"

Now I am sure this is a legit procedure to speed recovery given the circumstances but I am just wondering if there might be some high-priced stables out there using similar high-tech medical equipment as standard operating procedure on healthy animals in competitive training?

Maybe one of you out there with more medical knowledge than I can elaborate on this but I seem to recall the same sort of equipment being used by top-level human distance athletes (biking, running, skiing) to increase the oxygen content of their blood in an unnatural but drug free and performance enhancing way. I think they also used it to speed recovery from fatigue and injury. I don\'t know if it is as good as EPO but it seemed to make a difference.

This could be yet another bullet for the bad guys...

Chris

[Mall]

For human athletes, my recollection is that in Sweden this was originally done in very expensive specially constructed houses, and in conjunction with what was called \"train high, live low.\" If it\'s within the rules, however, I don\'t see why using it would make one a bad guy.

Stan Bergstein recently did a column outlining all of the drug positives & related matters which have occurred since the BC scandal & during the time period the Giuliani Group is claiming that public confidence in horseracing increased, to wit: the Oxycontin, ephedra,& EPO positives, the amputated leg & possible low denerving, & the use of shock wave therapy. Now comes word that some are using an undetectable type of synthetic cone snail venom which is 1,000 times more powerful than morphine for killing pain. In addition to cheating the public & the other competitors, the one thing all of these numbing agents have in common is that they put the life of the horse & jockey at risk. I don\'t think it\'s an exaggeration to describe those who engage in these practices as evil, even if it\'s not at the same level as is seen outside racing. As I see it, a lifetime ban & criminal prosecution is almost too lenient.

[derby1592]

Hi Mall,

There is definitely something ironic about using a \"snail\" to help a horse run faster.

I guess using the words \"bad guys\" might have been a little harsh but the fact that it is not explicitly banned by the rules is not the issue. Until recently, EPO was not banned. Does that mean it was OK before the rule change and not now? You know the rules better than I but I would guess that \"snail venom\" is probably not illegal at this time. Does that make it OK?

In my view, use of technology or drugs to artificially alter equine physiology or chemistry in a performance enhancing way is bad for the athletes (both equine and human), the fans and the sport. I know there may be some gray areas with regards to nutrition and training methods given that they are all in essence intended to alter equine physiology and chemistry. However, I have to believe that there is a definable difference between \"snail venom\" or \"EPO\" and hay and oats and between \"hyperbaric oxygen therapy\" and a morning workout.

Maybe it is inevitable that we are slowly moving toward some equine version of NASCAR. I hope not...

Chris

[Mall]

I\'m pretty much in agreement with the ROTW analysis, though I don\'t view Mineshaft\'s addition of lasix as necessarily a negative. I\'m thinking swinging for the fences by playing Best of the Rest 1st & 2nd in the super. What do you think, & equally important, will you be around to boot this one home while the Panthers are crushing UConn?

[derby1592]

Mel,

I do not have a strong opinion on the ROTW. I probably am more negative on Balto Star and more positive on Mineshaft than the ROTW analysis but I don\'t see any good play.

I was trying to like Bonapaw but not at the distance or with Booklet pushing him early.

Good luck.

Chris