Phil, thanks for posting this

I think the testing is great and important.

I think the 24 hr. survelliance stuff is more show than anything else.

It's the same thing they do for the Derby and Oaks and the reality is that the folks doing the "guarding" of the horses have no idea what the people are doing inside those stalls when they are in there.

This is not a knock on the guards. It wouldn't be any different if I were the one guarding the horse.

If people really want to do something to the horse, they just swtich the horse into a different stall that isn't being "guarded" and then go do their their thing. Also, I have seen guards watch as a trainer or vet works on a horse that is under supervision but the guard has no real way of knowing exactly what the vet/trainer is doing (and again, I wouldn't either, I am not criticizing the guards here)

The testing stuff is what's key, the other stuff is just for show. Nothing wrong with them doing it, just that it really isn't a deterent if someone wants to do something to the horse because it's very easy to find a work around.