RE: Glucosmine discussion

["Bob Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net>]

Your comments on the AERC Drug Rule are very interesting! <<<I think the
question here should not be "Is it testable"
but "Is it fair"  With so many people using these substances, that's a hard
question.>>>

I believe the question should be; "If your horse requires these substances,
should you be riding in competition? Is it fair to the horse?"

The development of these supplements started with the desire to attain the
"advantage to win" this then went to the stage of attaining "a few more
miles" and =now have attained the status as necessary to maintain the
welfare of the horse. If your stage of competition necessitates these
supplements, should you not question the status of your selection, training
and conditioning programs as well as your support policies for the horse?

Then, again, there is the anthromorphizing of the welfare of the horses
being used in competition. We wish to compete "on the edge" but have an
outward appearance of having the utmost response towards ultimate condition
of the horse!

With over 26,000 miles of tough competition behind us and with high mileage
and older horses, we contend that all these supplements are not necessary
for the general run of competitors. If you are going to engage in FEI level
competition, then PERHAPS. For 90% of the endurance riders NO.

Of course the manufacturers are not going to agree!

Bob Morris

-----Original Message-----
From: DESERTRYDR1@aol.com [mailto:DESERTRYDR1@aol.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2001 1:02 PM
To: APKBUICU@aol.com
Cc: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: RC: Glucosmine discussion


This is rule 13 from AERC R&R in its entirety.


'13. The integrity of Endurance Competition requires that the equine is not
influenced by any drug, medication or veterinary treatment. Endurance
equines
must compete entirely on their natural ability. AERC prohibits from
competition equines who contain evidence of the administration of abnormal
substances or of normal substances in abnormal amounts (exogenously
administered compounds even if normally found endogenously). Since the
complete effects of such administration cannot be known, the fairness and
safety require the prohibition of such practices.
13a. The use of additional therapies during competition shall be prohibited.
This shall include any invasive procedures, (e.g.: acupuncture),
manipulative
procedures, (e.g.: osseous manipulative procedures), the use of any devices
to manipulate or stimulate accupressure or response points, (e.g.: Bioscans,
laser lights, magnetic stimulation devices etc). Competition shall mean the
time from the pre-ride veterinary examination to the completion of the final
veterinary examination for the event, including the best-condition judging.
Multiple day rides shall be treated as they have been determined by AERC --
either individual day events or one event if so designated.
13.1
A. Upon discovery of the presence of such drug or medication, approved
laboratory shall immediately report the matter to AERC. Any action or
substance administered internally or externally, whether drugs or otherwise,
which may interfere with the testing procedure, or mask or screen the
presence of such drug, is forbidden.
B. Presence of such medication or drug in an equine participating in an AERC
sanctioned event shall be grounds for review by the Protest and Grievance
committee with input of the Veterinary Committee.
D. Every entrant shall, upon request of an AERC approved veterinarian,
permit
a specimen of urine, saliva, blood or other substance to be taken for
testing; and refusal to comply with such request shall constitute grounds
for
immediate disqualification of the equine/rider from further participation in
that day's ride and shall bar the equine/rider from participation in future
AERC sanctioned events for such period as determined by the Protest and
Grievance committee."

The italics are mine.  I called Dr. Barnett a year or so ago for a
clarification on chondroitin & glucosamine and MSM, etc.  He stated that
these substances would fall in the category of exogenously administered
compounds even if normally found endogenously, and therefore would be
considered illegal--WHETHER OR NOT THEY COULD BE TESTED.  I also talked to
Dr. Nancy Loving, who at that time was involved with preparing a list of
illegal substances.  Their advice was if those things were used they should
be withrdrawn several days prior to ride day.  Also one of them pointed out
that Vitamin B1, thiamine, isa testable substance, because it acts to mask
an
illegal substance.  I think the question here should not be "Is it testable"
but "Is it fair"  With so many people using these substances, thats a hard
question.  I won't even go there, except to point out that not everyone can
afford these high priced supplements.  Flame suit on.  jer5i


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