New-York tribune., 1919-10-05
'Nerved' Horses
May Be Barred
BY Jockey Club
Law to Prevent Participa-
ton of Unsound Animals
in Races Urged

The appointment Of expert veteri-
narians by various associations racing
under the jurisdiction of the Jockey
Club has met with the unqualified ap-
proval of all those who believe that
racing tests should be held only under
conditions when the horses engaged
are thoroughly trained and when their
bodily condition is such that the dan
ger OF accident is reduced to a mini
mum.
1t is essential for the best interests
Of the sport that unsound animals.
particularly those that have been
negvcd should be under the stlictest
| scrutiny, and if a law forbidding the
participation Of any nervcd horse in
trials Of speed should be formulated it
would be favored by vast majority of
those who are interested in breeding
and racing.
The operation known az "ncrvinc"
destroys all feeling in the afflicted
memb Der. and it has been frequently
rcsorted to IN the past on some Of our
very best horses. Hanover, ono of the
greatest thoroughbrcds OF his day. was
so treated when his usefulness on the
track became impaired through chronic
,amencSs which bafficd veterinary skill
tic won many races afterward for the
D"ycr brothers, but his career in the
stud was cut short as a result of the
treatment. the dead foot becoming so
diseased that Colonel Milton Young of
the McGrathiana Farm, for whom the
morse earned fortune, was compelled
to have him shot
Case of Hanover lesson
Numerous other cases of similar
nature might be cited; but that of Han
over, horse which did more for the
Thoroughbred in America than any
horse SINCE the time Of Diomed, will
be sufficient. His blood in the veins
OF our best present day thoroughbreds.
and has daughter. Rhoda B, taken to
ireland by Richard Croakcr. when
mated with Ormc through the Derby
winner Orby. founded a family OF great
Tacehorses "a abroad Without a doubt
Hanover's usefulness as stock horse
was cut short from five to ten wears.
and the loss TO the blood stock interests
OF the United States is almost incalcu-
liable.
With the reputable and competent
veterinarian in the paddock whose
sole interest IN keeping the stewards
thoroughly posted on conditions and
/, WAo mas no outside practice to influence
or prejudice his vision--thc character
of the racing should take on an added
tone. Many cripplcs whose usefulness
IL racing has passed and whose pres
ence on the course is menace to life
and limb would be refused permission
so start
The Jockey Club is constantly on the
aiert to promote the quality of the
sport IN the Empire State. and this
newest move is along the same lines
winch prompted Francis Hitchcock to
give notice of motion for an amend
ment to the rules Of racing. at the
'he annual meeting in January.
which would do away with the use of
toes and heels on racing plates
Should the amendment be written in
TO the rules it is to be hoped that the
Jockey Club will follow the example
oi the French authorities and place in
the paddock at all our courses ease
conlalnlng samples Of 'fair" and "ur
lalr plates, With this prccautiou
taken, those guilty OF violating the req
ulatlons should have no excuse when
caught redhanded in practice which
has been responsible for much OF the
lhconsistent racing, especially over
muddy courses, and which has been re-
sponslble for the cripplng and destruc-
tlon Of many of our best horses in the
past.