Shockwave Therapy - stimulating the healing process

By Kimberly French
First Published: 08 April 2009 - Issue Number: 12

Shockwaves stimulate the healing process, although it is still unknown how. It is widely used on thoroughbreds across the globe, but the problem for trainers is that the rules of racing vary around the world on it’s use prior to racing.

English conditioner Luca Cumani was astounded when Racing Victoria Ltd. (RVL) announced they were investigating Bauer’s second place finish in the Aus$5.65 million Emirates Melbourne Cup on November 4, 2008.
He acknowledged the six-year-old horse, who had won the 2008 Geelong Cup in preparation for Australia’s biggest race, had some pain in his hindquarters and underwent shockwave therapy on October 30, 2008. The treatment was recommended by Dr. Rob McInnes, a veterinary surgeon employed by RVL.
“Maybe I should have been more familiar with the rules,” said Cumani, in an interview with Sydney Radio. “This kind of therapy is used all over the world and in England cannot be used only on race day. We were following the advice of one of their veterinary surgeons. The horse deserved to finish second.”
Australian Rule of Racing 64H, which was introduced in June 2004 and had never been violated previously, states, “A horse that has been subjected to any form of shockwave therapy shall be ineligible to race or take part in any trial in the seven days following such treatment.”
RVL discovered the transgression after McInnes submitted his invoice on November 11 and listed the procedure. After conducting a probe, they announced that Bauer’s placing would stand and his connections would retain all purse monies.
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