In many ways this also gets to the point I've been making.

The list of ways to enhance performance is constantly changing and growing, but as far as I can tell there is no clear cut definition between legal and illegal. If I'm wrong, please let me know about that.

If I take a natural over the counter herb that reduces stress and anxiety and it allows me to perform better in a high pressure contest, how does that differ from a guy that takes speed because he's tired?

Both are altering the natural state of affairs and allowing enhanced performance.

Because of all these possibities (chemical and non-chemical), I think we need a list of approved procedures and therapies, with the default being, until it's approved, it's illegal. If someone comes up with something new, there should be a national industry review board made up of vets, trainers, owners, and other industry experts to decide whether or not to approve it.

If I had my way, there would be a very small list of approved therapies, drugs, procedures etc...for any horse that will be racing because I happen to love them, and unlike humans, they aren't in a position to make risk/reward decisions about their health and lives. However, I think it's obvious that the industry in the U.S. couldn't give a crap about the animals otherwise we would have rules similar to the rest of the world.

Perhaps that's the way to proceed.

Maybe instead of being rational and talking about how drugs and performance enhancers are unfair to clean trainers, owners, and horsplayers. Then explaining how in the long term we might lose fans, hurt the economics etc...

Maybe we should embarass them and call them the bunch of scumbags they are for abusing animals to make an extra dollar and then calling themselves vets, trainers, breeders etc... as if that title means they actually care for the animals.