by Kimberly Rinker, for the Ohio State Racing Commission
Columbus, OH — The Ohio State Racing Commission hosted the first of several medication forums on Tuesday (Sept. 26) at the Riffe Center in Columbus, Ohio.
A well-attended crowd listened to testimony from veterinarians and horsemen’s representatives during the near three-hour forum.
“We were seeking practical insight into medication issues affecting horses racing in Ohio,” explained Dr. James Robertson, OSRC consulting veterinarian. “We also wanted input from experts who have been involved with medication issues affecting racehorses and horsemen on the national level.”
A trio of Ohio-based, practicing veterinarians — all with extensive knowledge of equine athletic physiology, including Dr. F. John Reichert, Dr. Scott Shell and Dr. Dan Wilson — provided insight into their daily regimes of caring for the equine athlete, both Standardbred and Thoroughbred.
As well, Dr. Clara Fenger, a central-Kentucky-based equine practitioner and founder of North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians; Dr. Tom Tobin, a toxicologist, pharmacologist and veterinarian at the University of Kentucky’s Dept. of Veterinary Science; and Dr. Alicia Bertone, an equine orthopedic surgeon from The Ohio State University’s Dept. of Veterinary Clinical Sciences — presented their views on racetrack medication and practical applications facing veterinarians today.
A second medication forum will be held immediately following the OSRC monthly meeting on Friday (Oct. 27) at 10 a.m. in Room 1948 at the Riffe Center, 77 South High St., Columbus, Ohio. All horsemen and the public are invited to attend. Anyone wishing to speak is asked to contact Bill Crawford at the OSRC by Oct. 20.