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Polo Association To Start Random Drug Testing

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Nov 4, 2009 8:26 am US/Eastern

Polo Association To Start Random Drug Testing

Testing Comes After 21 Horses Died Of An Overdose

Reporting
John MacLauchlan
E-mail

WELLINGTON (CBS4) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: Twenty one polo horses died April 19th, 2009 as they readied for a match in Wellington.
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Nearly seven months after horses belonging to Venezuela's polo team died from an accidental a drug overdose in Palm Beach County, the U.S. Polo Association has moved to start random drug testing.

The 21 horses died April 19th as they stepped off trailers before a match in Wellington. Florida's state veterinarian Dr. Thomas Holt said test results showed that a selenium overdose was the likely cause of death. Dr. Holt stated the animals had "significantly increased selenium levels."

Selenium is a trace mineral essential for normal cell function and health in animals and is typically included in small quantities in supplements and feed for horses to help their muscles recover from fatigue. In large doses, however, it can be fatal.

A pilot testing program for mandatory blood and urine testing is expected to start in January, when 700 horses and hundreds of polo players are expected to return to South Florida for the start of their season. Sport officials approved the change last month.