Animal Sports and Medical Violations

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Title: Animal Sports and Medical Violations
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KNOWLEDGE INQUIRY AND COMMUNICATION 2
Introduction
Research into animal treatment reveals that animals are important for human activities such as
sports and recreation or entertainment hence require medical considerations in drug
administration (Hedeland, et al., 2016). The use of drugs in the pharmacological treatment of horses
reveals shocking details of doping in animal products. Reports about products advertised as having
medical solutions like blood building yet containing undeclared elements of cobalt provide proof of this
allegation. Equestrian activities such as show jumping and horseracing face such controversies and
experiments have proven this manipulation of animals for illicit performance (Murphy, et al., 2013).
People find animal sports pleasurable and gather in multitudes just to watch such performances. However,
there are concerns about a number of inhumane treatments on animals. Debates, initiatives and policy
recommendations by the animal welfare groups advocate for standards that support proper training.
Stakeholder involvements in regulating the sports ensure that the rule is effective in events, horse
jumping, dressage movements and endurance training among others. Animals exhibit conflict behavior
while in training, competition, and performance. As a result, they become restless, unpredictable, and
uncontrollable. Different stimulus used in experiments indicate that standard procedures should apply
when analyzing animal behavior and responses (Meijboom & Ohl, 2015).
Hedeland, et al (2016) identifies some of the illicit substances used on animals as discovered
during drug testing. Among these is ionic cobalt, which is common in performance products. Purchased
feeds contain mixed mineral elements, which contain supplements from farming producers. These may
have questionable amounts of elements in extreme concentration. Injecting animals with elements is also
a major risk factor that contributes to doping allegations and controversies about artificial manipulation of
animals for performance. Research done on 200 horse urine samples reveals a high concentration of
toxins in supplements (Hedeland, et al., 2016). The Institute of Biochemistry of the German Sports
University Cologne (Germany) in conjunction with the Swedish National Veterinary Institute engaged the
use of stimulating agents in products designed for animal sports. From the study, it is evident that the

KNOWLEDGE INQUIRY AND COMMUNICATION 3
misuse of nickel is one way in which pharmacological stimulation in supraphysiological amounts
becomes a risk to the animal especially those in the racing industry.
The use of the substance to enhance aerobic activity in sports animal may be through an injection
or supplements containing nickel. In the same line, Paine, Hincks, Fenwick, Ridd, & Hillyer (2017)
identify Cobalt as a critical micronutrient element required by adult horses for the synthesis of equine
caecum, and colon. This nutritional component contins high doses of supraphysiological concentrates that
need regulation during horse racing. Cobalt and vitamin B12 suppliments administered in high volumes.
An analyis of the baseline concentration reveals that despite the fact that cobalt chloride is legitimate, its
administartion becomes toxic when it accumulates in the plasma and urine content. This is an ethical
research that supports animal welfare.
Murphy, Jezierski, Jaworski, Kosinska, & Gorecka-Bruzda (2015) analyze conflict behavior in
animals to point out that it is resistance to handling, training or equipment. The study looks at the mental
and physical difficulty experienced by animals in the equestrian sports. Citing the Federation Equestre
Internationale (FEI) welfare codes, the analysis acknowledges the importance of using training that
matches up to the physical strength of the horse. As a result, its findings point out that conflict behavior is
propagated by an obstacle, movement or time lapse. Strategic selection of animals for different purposes
prevents wastage and effective training encourages performance (Welfare, 2018). There is a need for
sensitization to ethical issues and animal practices in order to prevent limitations. Forcing animals to
extreme behavior or physiological activities is uncalled for or unexpected because it contradicts nature.
Medical solutions to animal treatment should also take calculated approaches. Hotzel, Kanaan, Parsekian,
& Leme (2014) carry out research on 197 animals to note that 92% of the animals depended on
commercial grain concentrates and that animals in equestrian establishments exercised less. This is a
wake-up call on the need for natural solutions to animal performance.