The neurotoxic properties of cobra venom can be used as an amazing pain reliever, however when used in horses at the race track, it tips the scales of the outcome. The use relieves the pain in the horses and allows them to push beyond safe limits.

A recent investigation of the use is flaring up folks down in Australia, causing a lot of turmoil. In the states possession is not illegal for anyone, however the racing industry has banned the use. The drawback is there is such a minimal amount used, it is impossible to detect.

From Stuff.co.az:

HRNZ chief executive Edward Rennell took the report seriously – only nine months ago New South Wales harness authorities uncovered evidence that snake venom was in use in Australia.
Several trainers, including renowned thoroughbred trainer Patrick Biancone, have also been disqualified or suspended for using cobra venom in North America. Biancone's vet Rodney J Stewart, who admitted buying cobra venom from a Florida supplier, was banned for five years.
Last August the Sunday Star-Times also revealed Carl Forrester, now running a Morrinsville stable for Foxton-based Peter Scaife, was still wanted by United States police for his role in a conspiracy to dope horses with cobra venom and the blood-doping agent EPO.

The end result is a breakdown of the horse leading to it being destroyed. If many of you are scratching your heads wondering what use the cobra venom would have on a horse, check out this page on the Saratoga County Disctrict Attorney website.

The use of a highly toxic substance in order to win a horse race may seem paradoxical, but the chemical structure of cobra venom makes it an effective painkiller when administered under the skin in very small quantities. By deadening the nerves that lead from the source of pain to the brain, cobra venom can allow a horse to ignore physical problems and run through them, officials say. It is believed to be effective only when administered within four hours of a race.

Well not illegal, the ethical problems with this are too numerous to touch on. A race is not worth the death of an animal under any circumstances. Now I can't wait to see what the Self Envenomation crowd has to say.