SHOCKWAVE EURO.qxd:Jerkins feature.qxd
22/5/09
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VETERINARY
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 its use prior to racing. By Kimberly French
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NGLISH 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 4th November, 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 30th October, 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.”
Shockwave THERAPY
38 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com ISSUE 26