ridecamp@endurance.net: AERC drug rules

AERC drug rules

Klc5355@aol.com
Wed, 15 Oct 1997 08:58:25 -0400 (EDT)


The next board meeting is not that far off, and I know that some issues with
the drug rules will be discussed. Our basic drug rules were written long ago
when we did not have the type of testing that we have now, or the drugs we
have now. Basically our rules in essence only allow that we feed our horses
the basics, hay, grass, salt, and water. Anything else is considered a drug,
although most of the supplements we feed, or inject are not tested for at
this time. But could be in the future. What constitutes a drug violation?,
under the influence, or trace amounts that could not possibly affect the
performance or mask an injury to the horse. Under our current rules, any
testable amount is grounds for a hanging. And today we test in parts per
billion. We need to clarify what we want in "our" drug rules, this is our
sport. We need to tell our P&G committee how "we" want our rules enforced. We
should be allowed to use certain drugs openly, the ones that benefit our
horses longevity, and quality of life. I personally at this time have no need
for certain supplements, but may in the future. This is not intended to
support the wholesale use of drugs, only to have what is a drug and what is a
supplement clarified. As to what has brought this issue to mind was a recent
case of censure in our EN. This person went to a ride, and at some point went
to give her horse electrolytes. She grabbed a bute tube (something many of us
use) mixed her electrolytes and gave them to her horse. It happened that she
accidently used a tube that still had a small amount of bute in it, and she
got tested. She discovered the accident while cleaning up after the ride,
when she went to clean her electrolyte syringes (bute tubes) she discovered
that one still contained some bute. She informed ride management that this
had occured. This was a ride that she knew she would be tested at, they
always test the top five riders.The ammount was very minimal, and the
veterinary committee agreed that it was probably accidental, and did not
affect the horse or its performance. But the P&G committee over rode the vet
committee and decided to sanction and suspend for three months. Not all on
the committee agreed with the committees decision. The sanction was posted in
the EN only saying that she tested positive for bute, leaving those that read
this to believe it was probably intentional. I believe that these sanctions
should be posted with an explanation of the situation, and who voted for and
against. There aren't that many sanctions and would not take up that much of
our EN. We are all subject to having an accident, maybe we need to set some
parameters as to accidental and intentional use of drugs. And as to trace
ammounts or under the influence. We also need to give our veterinary
committee more say in the decision of our P&G committee. We should also maybe
be given some guide lines on clearance times for the most common drugs that
we do use. Very few of us would ride our horses on drugs, or use drugs to win
or mask injuries, but we could very easily ride a horse that still had trace
ammounts still in thier system. And at this time we would be punished as
though we did it intentionally. And, it would be published in the EN as
though we were simply drugging our horse. I believe this is an area in our
sport that we could use some change. Any one with a constructive opinion,
that they would like the board to read, I will be glad to print it off and
hand it to several of our board members. Please include AERC # and name, also
division of the AERC that you are currently a member of. This is not intended
to flame anyone, only to see how many might have the same concerns that I
have, or opinions I don't have.
Go ahead, drive the stake into my
heart.........
Ken Cook (west division) >>

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