The cause of death appeared to be malnutrition, according to a state veterinarian, Dr.

"The state veterinarian must have been on vacation," I replied, for this had happened before.

Normally, the carcasses went to the state veterinarian.

All horses will be isolated in a detention barn six hours before their races, with only the state veterinarian having access to them.

The sponsors of the event made the decision to follow the state veterinarian's advice to exclude the dogs due to a canine epidemic.

The state veterinarian observed the colt walking in the receiving barn and decided something was "off" in his right foreleg.

"It's not a pleasant thing to do," said Dr. Hal Sheets, the state veterinarian who directs the shooting.

Scientists are working on a vaccine to immunize the animals against distemper, said Tom Thorne, a state veterinarian who directed the breeding project.

But the United States Animal Health Association, an independent group led by state veterinarians, predicts trouble if there is an outbreak.