Blog Post #9 - Ideology in My Controversy

Sumbler, Kate. "Face Off" 10/27/2007. via Flickr
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Blog Post #9 is a consolidation of the information I have gathered from a few of my previous posts. I will be providing some detailed answers to questions concerning my controversy of choice:

HORSE RACING AND DRUG USAGE

• Who is involved...
• This is actually a harder question to answer than you might expect. During my research I found that nearly everybody in the industry is affected, as you might imagine, but there is a large population of people outside the industry also voicing their opinions and concerns. People/groups involved in this topic range from politicians and gambling corporations to PETA; 4-H students to international bloodstock agents; handicappers to housewives. Social media gives a voice to everyone who wants to use it and when it comes to the possible mistreatment of animals, whether they have a vested concern or not, everybody wants to speak their mind.
• Who are some of the major speakers/writers...
• The major organizations surrounding the racing industry are The Jockey Club, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). Other individuals with lots of pull are top trainers like Todd Pletcher, Bob Baffertt, Kiaran McLaughlin and Patrick Biancone. Other speakers are leading owners, jockeys, officials, veterinarians and animal rights activists.
• What kind of social/cultural/economic/political power...
• Worldwide, horse racing is a multi-billion dollar industry and with that kind of money involved, everyone wants a piece of the action. The major powers in the issues in the US are the national and state government, gambling organizations, animal rights groups and associations in the industry. Culturally, horse racing has declined since the horse is no longer a mainstay at every individuals home and other sports have evolved. Like many other controversies, the loudest voices seem to be the smallest groups which use fear and incite primal emotions to pull support to their side.
• What does each group value?
• The industry itself appears to be fractured into three camps. Those that cheat to win, those that don't believe there is an issue, and those that know there's a problem but do nothing to help fix it. Outside the industry there are multiple groups both for and against the industry. Animal rights activists want the sport abolished. The general public seems to want the animals treated fairly but other wise don't care much. The government wants to get involved by regulating and taxing the industry.
• Is there a power differential...
• I would say there is, but can't confirm or deny it. The gambling industry which owns a large majority of the facilities (a government deal that keeps horse racing alive by combining it with slot machines) seem to have lobbyist power and government influence. Groups like PETA don't have much credibility or pull but have a vocal backing which is powerful in its own right. The horse industry seems to be set in its ways and modeled on an archaic economic model the relies on "business as always" so they play the ostrich in the power struggle.
• Is there any acknowledged common...
• I believe everyone wants the sport to be successful, fair and safe for both the jockeys and the horses. Unfortunately, with the amount of money involved, some people will do anything they can to try and win. I also can't imagine the industry doesn't realize that public opinion will play a role and so must contend with that as well.
• Is there any unacknowledged....
• Everyone has a different opinion on what is the best way to proceed. The end result is same but how they get there is the point of contention. As well as whether anything needs to be in the first place. Regardless of the clinical studies and scientific evidence, most people seem to rely on their experience and past knowledge rather than accepted truths.
• Do the various groups listen...
• I believe the industry has to, whether or not they are is a different story. There is scientific data that stills need to be gathered before a definite answer can be determined for a vast majority of drugs being screened. The "bad guys" always seem one step ahead though, coming up with ways around the system before the systems even in place. Until there is a coming together and uniting of a voice from the industry itself, it's hard to see that things will change for the better.