Recent changes to the Driving Horse and Pony Club's (DHPC) drug policy bring them squarely in line with clubs in the USA and Canada.

And DHPC president Nick DaCosta yesterday defended his club's decision to make the changes without consulting the Bermuda Equestrian Federation or the Council for Drugs Free Sport as neither have jurisdiction over the sport.

Members have voted to revise the club's existing policy towards two drugs, Phenylbutazone, or Bute as it is more commonly known, and Lasix, a powerful diuretic which can be used to combat bleeding in horses.

Although Bute is a banned substance, it can be used with a vet's permission. Much like an athlete will use ventalin to combat asthma, Bute, an anti-inflamatory, can be given to a horse up to twice a day.

The amount a horse can be give depends on its weight, and a driver and trainer will only be punished if Bute is administered without a vet's certificate, or if the amount found in the horse's blood exceeds the allowed dosage.

In the US, the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium lists Bute as a Class 4 Drug, which is 'comprised primarily of therapeutic medications routinely used in racehorses. These may influence performance, but generally have a more limited ability to do so'.

Penalties for over-use of Bute in the US range from $250 for a first offence, to $500 and a 15-day ban, for subsequent offences. The DHPC have broadly fallen in line with these regulations, reducing their current one-year ban and $1000 fine to five racing days and $250 for a first offence, and $500 and 10 race days thereafter.

"The Bute rule didn't change from its original policy," said DeCosta. "We had a rule about a substance called Lasix, which got changed to being able to be used across the board, for any race and any age pony, with a vet certificate.

"That's the only rule change for that substance. I think that we are ok in regards to the use of Bute because thet only way you can use it is if you have a vet certificate.

"If you hand in a vet certificate, it means that a pony is allowed to have so much of this substance, if any at all to race. It is all monitored by a vet. So ideally it would prevent any harm being done to the pony.

"Whatever the vet diagnosis for that pony, that pony can't be over the limit of the usage dose. If it is exceeded and there is no certificate then the pony and rider will have to suffer the consequences. If you have the certificate and follow the guidelines, then you are fine."

DeCosta's position was backed up by veterinarian Dr. Lucy Wheeler at Ettrick Animal Hospital in Warwick who has been involved in drawing blood for drug testing for the ponies this year.

"Lasix is used for horses who have a bleeding disorder, which is common in race horses," she said. "It is used to try and prevent the bleeding. It is commonly used around the world and is not illegal if prescribed by a vet.

"As long as these things are done with veteranary assistance then that's a good thing for the animal."

Given that the DHPC is an affiliate of the Bermuda Equestrian Federation there had been suggestions that any change in the drugs policy would have to be sanctioned by the BEF. However, president Michael Cherry said this wasn't the case.

"The DHPC is an affiliate of the BEF because they use the track at Vesey Street and we are the lease holder, but they have their own rules and constitution and we don't get involved," he said. "They can make any changes they like and do not need our sanction."

Some members had questioned why there was a need to change at all, with the decision seemingly benefiting some more senior members of the club who were serving year-long bans.

These drivers can now compete again in September, sooner than they might have been allowed to do so, and despite the fact that the policy has merely been changed to bring it in line with other clubs, some members remain unconvinced.

"There were objections to the proposed changes to the drug testing policy by the more sensible people at the meeting," said one driver who wished to remain annonymous.

"It's riduclous, those who have been banned can now race again next September. They were banned for a year. Now the rules state that they are banned for only five race days and subject to just a $250 fine. They were supposed to be fined $1,000.

"These changes have been made to suit certain drivers. They're getting away with murder. But there are drivers like myself who are absolutely disgusted.

"Drivers can now use Bute providing they get a vet's certificate. That's plain wrong. Bute is recognised all around the world as a performance-enhancing drug . . . it masks injuries and can threaten the health of racing ponies.

"If my pony is injured, I can give it Bute so that it won't feel any pain. But after the race when the drug wears off, the injury could be more serious. The bottom line is that some drivers want to race at any cost."