University Surveying Industry on Medication Use

The University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program hopes to make the results of its medication survey available at its Symposium on Racing, scheduled for the first full week of December. A major medication summit will be held Dec. 4 of that week in Tucson.

Students are conducting a survey on equine medication usage in Thoroughbred racehorses. Owners, trainers, and veterinarians will be surveyed on their practices, attitudes, and perceptions of medication use.

Representative samples were drawn from The Jockey Club Information Systems records of over 37,000 owners and 8,500 trainers of a horse entered in a race for a purse in the United States in 2000.

"This sample is a relatively small number of owners and trainers so each response is vital to the success of the study," said Doug Reed, coordinator of the Race Track Industry Program.

Said associate coordinator John Walzak: "This is the first and only survey I'm aware of directed at such an inclusive sampling of thoroughbred racing's participants. We believe their views should be recorded and reported."

All veterinarians identified as equine practitioners by American Association of Equine Practitioners records have received a survey. Program coordinators hope to have all surveys returned by Nov. 20.

The University of Arizona said the project has the support of Churchill Downs, Del Mar, Keeneland, Magna Entertainment, The New York Racing Association, California Thoroughbred Trainers, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, The Jockey Club, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and Thoroughbred Owners of California.