Re: Barry Irwun--Why Don't You Weigh in on The Use of Anabolic Steroids (522 Views)
Posted by:
Barry Irwin (IP Logged)
Date: August 21, 2007 10:10PM
I do believe that I've "weighed in" on steroids a few times on this forum.
First of all, studies done on female horses that were administered steroids showed conclusively that while they may have exhibited male behavior after initially being retired to the breeding paddocks, their fertility was no different than distaffers that raced without them.
I don't think horses should be raced on steroids.
We try not to run fillies on steroids, but every once in a while be buy one that we find out has been on them, and we keep her going on them until they require a break from racing. When we bring them back, we don't give them steroids anymore.
I think a good case can be made for allowing geldings to race on steroids, but if they become banned and all horses are off of them, I think this would be fair.
My problem with a battling steroids is that I think it will shift the focus from the real danger in racing, which is designer or newly developed drugs.
This is where the real cheating that can ruin the sport occurs.
To me steroids is a side show.
If you notice that Team Valor horses run all over the globe and steroids are banned everywhere but here, so our stock doesn't rely on them.