Monthly diary — August 2014

Next, it was off to a warm evening race meeting at Sandown and a very wet Bath to continue my steward training. In particular, it was fascinating to see how watertight drug testing is. There seems to be little doubt over whether drugs are present but proving intent or accident is another thing, as we’ve seen in both racing and eventing recently. If a supplement is used it seems sensible to choose one that is properly tested and comes with a guarantee - but beyond that, as owners we should all consider whether we need to put anything into our horses. Supplements are often seen as an easy fix, and even used in multiples, yet there can be a complicated cascade of effects within the body - with potentially negative consequences to horse, as well as rider.