Owner-trainer caught using electrified cattle prod during trackwork at Horsham.

OWNER-trainer Nicole Boyd yesterday was disqualified for three years for using a cattle prod on a horse during a trackwork gallop.

The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board imposed the penalty after Boyd admitted she bought a cattle prod for $110 as a "last resort" to get her mare Kingston Shine to produce its best.

Judge Lewis said it was "a sad state of affairs" when a trainer, in a bid to entice a horse to perform better, reverted to inflicting pain on a horse via an electrical shock.

"Use of these devices, apart from their unsavoury aspect, should be seen for what it is, just another form of cheating," he said.

"Use of such devices tarnish the image of racing and any reasonable member of the community would be affronted by the revelation that an animal would be subjected to pain by an electrical shock."

Clothier said Boyd's actions were tantamount to cheating by gaining an unfair advantage over other trainers and there had been a high degree of premeditation involved.

He also said Boyd was prepared to put personal gain ahead of the welfare of the horse.