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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Steroids Didn't Kill 21 Polo Horses: Vet

21 animals lost in mystery affliction

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(Newser) – The death of 21 horses in Florida for the US Open Polo Championship yesterday remains a mystery, but a veterinarian for the Venezuelan team that owned the horses said it was unlikely they were killed by a bad reaction to steroids, the Palm Beach Post reports. "Almost certainly they don't use anabolic steroids," he said. “I’ve been in practice 50 years. I’ve never seen anything like this.” Necropsy results could come as soon as today.

The vet also discounted the possibility of tainted medicine, saying their drugs are monitored very closely. The animals  died "almost certainly of an intoxication of some sort that they consumed,” he said today.

The polo ball rolls under horses' hooves as La Dolfina plays against Ellerstina during a 2008 event in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The polo ball rolls under horses' hooves as La Dolfina plays against Ellerstina during a 2008 event in Buenos Aires, Argentina.   (AP Photo)
Anabolic steroids aren't likely a factor in the sudden death of 21 polo horses, a vet says, because they often compete in England where such drugs are outlawed.
Anabolic steroids aren't likely a factor in the sudden death of 21 polo horses, a vet says, because they often compete in England where such drugs are outlawed.   (AP Photo)
Flowers are shown at a makeshift memorial today in Wellington, Fla., where 21 polo horses mysteriously died.
Flowers are shown at a makeshift memorial today in Wellington, Fla., where 21 polo horses mysteriously died.   (AP Photo)
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TerrifiedCitizen
Apr 20, 09 1:41 PM CDT
Speculation as to the cause of this tragedy should have been held until after diagnostic test results. Reply
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kirei_gaisuto
Apr 20, 09 9:13 PM CDT
Agreed, but patience doesn't sell newspapers.
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SPH
Apr 21, 09 11:53 AM CDT
Did they consider tainted peanut butter or pistachios?... Reply
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Reader68320356
Apr 22, 09 10:16 AM CDT
The white stallion tour once had a similar thing happen wiith three of their stallions, they were traveling in the UK I believe and ate just a few bites off of shrubs that caused them to have heart attacks and die extremely suddenly. Given that these horses were not familiar with local plants it is possible that they ingested a similar plant type? But with the number at 21 this seems unlikely...I jsut can not fathom how pathetic a person has to be to do this kind of crime...it is very sad my heart goes out to the team and Mr Vargas. Reply
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