A veterinarian is currently under investigation over allegations of euthanizing a racing horse using a handgun. This incident allegedly took place at a horse racing track in Philadelphia.

According to reports, the Pennsylvania racing officials are currently determining if Dr. Thomas Lurito used a handgun on the thoroughbred used for horse racing games. If found guilty, the doctor could be charged for violating the racing industry rules and regulations.

As of now, Pennsylvania Racing Commission official Chris Ryder said that Lurito is banned from the race track premises while the investigation is ongoing. The incident reportedly took place on June 10. The outcome is yet to be announced by the racetrack officials.

Experts stated that racing horses are usually put down through barbiturates overdose and not through guns since it is prohibited within Philadelphia Park.

Other veterinarians were surprised with the incident and the person being investigated. According to reports, Lurito got his racing commission license in 1995 and has been in the Philadelphia Park for more than a decade. Ryder said that a .22 caliber gun was used to put down the racing horse. The said practice is considered humane in the past but it has been phased out.

The championships for barrel racing horses have finally opened upon the arrival of the Washington Barrel Racing Association in the city on October 11, Saturday morning. The barrel racers were welcomed with a parade of horse trailers along with Washington’s most talented cowgirls.

The WBRA is this year’s host for the annual state championship for barrel racers. The championship took place at the ground of the Ritzville Rodeo for two days, October 11 and 12.

150 competitors converged on this year’s barrel racing horses’ championship and they faced each other head to head as all these competitors were ready to show off their skills in the said competition but this weekend was the most exciting as only those running for the top spots in their division were featured. Karla Gust, WBRA’s outgoing president and U.S. Bank Ritzville branch manager later confirmed that the event featured only the top riders in the state.

The first race for the 2009 season officially began on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. and the third race, also a part of the 2009 season race began the next day at 11 a.m. The best thing about this year’s event is that the admission to the entire barrel racing horses’ competition is free to the public.

Training Barrel Racing horses may be easier than you think. All you have to do is to keep it simple. Do not push your horse too much nor should you push too little.

Here are some Barrel Horse training tips that will make sure you get the results you want; and avoid things like this.

* Reprimand Early On – Do not wait to correct your horse’s wrong actions. If the horse does something you do not want it to, reprimand it. Make sure you get the message to your horse each time it makes a mistake. By doing so, you will help your horse remember what it needs to do faster.

* Keep Your Hands Up – Keeping your hands up as much as possible will signal your horse to stand straight and keep its shoulders up. A horse that stands straight runs quicker. Your horse will notice when you drop your head or your hands. This will signal them to do the same. So, if you want a faster horse, you need to discipline yourself too.

* Be Patient – Patience is necessary when training Barrel Racing Horses. You need to be patient enough to teach your horse the right technique. Do not let temper or frustration get the better of you. It will only end up in a poorly trained horse and a losing owner.