I think the difference is that everything is
prohibited, except that which is allowed.
For the commonly accepted substances like bute
that have 'threshold Levels" published you can then judge (not easily, but judge
nevertheless) if it has cleared the system before the ride. You will
notice that antibiotics are listed as prohibited, no matter what form. The
only one that I know for sure would be detected, if you were foolish enough to
run a horse with an infection, will be procaine penicillin. The procaine
is an anti-inflammatory and is probably tested for. (I may remember that it is
also a masker, and thus is sure to be tested for, but don't quote me on
that)
I looked up Menthol in Wikkapedia: Uses:
"As a topical analgesic
to relieve minor aches and pains such as muscle cramps, sprains, headaches and
similar conditions, alone or combined with products like Camphor or
Capsaicin.
In Europe it tends to appear as a gel or a cream, while in the US patches and
body sleeves are very frequently used "
Assuming that we do not want aches and pains
lessoned during a ride, the ban is good.
Personally, if I had been using an antibiotic eye
ointment and stopped a day or so before the ride I wouldn't worry. If a
horse has an active eye infection, it probably should stay home, even though I
do personally know that exercise has no effect on my personal recovery from eye
injuries.
When one is trying to write a rule to cover
everything, and particularly to stop chiselers, things have to be banned that
may not have much abuse potential.
ED
Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower
Road Victor, MT 59875
