Biotin & Drugs

[MargePiwowarski <MPiwowarski@compuserve.com>]

Susan gave us the highlights of a biotin study with Lippizaners and
mentioned that thee was no effect on hoof growth rate at 15-20 mg per day. 


That dosage will not impact hoof growth but you CAN use biotin for speeding
growth if you need to.  A wonderful vet in California specializes in equine
foot problems (laminitis, navicular, coffin fractures, etc.) , she advised
us to give 65 mg per day to "grow a whole new hoof in six months".  We have
tried it on some of the rehab horses here (hoof resections, etc) and it
does work.  That level doubles (or more)  "normal" growth rates.  Not
something most of us need but if your horse suffers a hoof injury, it will
shorten the down time, waiting to grow new hoof.  We use Biotin Plus, don't
remember who makes it but we get it from Stateline.  Smells like apple pie,
the horses love it and it has 50 mg per level scoop.  We feed a heaping
scoop a day to rehab horses.  It has methionine, other good stuff too.

I've been observing the slings and arrows about the "drug" issue with
disappointment.  I haven't noticed anyone asking how to make an unfit horse
able to go 100 miles and finish top ten;  people who are simply asking for
INFORMATION are receiving responses suggesting they may be into equine drug
abuse or simply equine abuse!  

We have been told it is impossible to list the prohibited drugs and
substances, there are "too many" of them.  

We have been told that if we are giving it "to enhance performance" it is
prohibited.  The same substance administered as a part of a comprehensive
"good management program" is OK.  Am I the only one who feels we are being
fed a line of bovine excrement?    

The racing industry has had a drug testing program for decades.  AHSA has
had one for years.  What the membership CAN be told is what is being tested
for.  Any drug testing panel is a *finite* list of substances, drugs or
metabolites of drugs,  that are capable of enhancing performance are
specifically listed.  Believe me, the lab isn't doing a toxicology panel
for every substance in the world and we couldn't afford it if they were.  

Additions to the test panel are made when "new" or additional foreign
substances capable of enhancing performance are identified.  That isn't a
frequent occurrance, issuing a notice to the membership shouldn't be a
problem.  We do have a journal.

ASHA exhibitors have had problems from the same lack of education that is
being proposed here.  For example, chocolate contains theophylline which is
used in medicine as a bronchodilator but also has stimulant properties. 
The pony who ate a half dozen chocolate doughnuts comes up positive on a
drug screen and lots of time is wasted, lots of organization money is spent
with hearings and appeals........the kid who fed the pony his favorite
treat wasn't the least bit interested in enhancing performance; his parents
and trainer aren't willing to take the fines, damage to their reputations
and suspensions without a defense.  Sounds reasonable to me.

Do we want this confusion and recrimination for our sport?  Do we need it? 


Yesterday, we collected urine samples for 98 client employes.  Anyone who
asked was told specifically what substances were going to be included in
the screen.  Questions were answered ("I ate buns with poppy seeds, will I
test positive?"  "Yes, if  you ate  eleven pounds of poppy seeds, at lunch
today, you will test positive for opiates".)  

Equine testing is just as specific, there is no reason for all competitors
to be kept in the dark.  If something isn't being tested for, it is because
there is no evidence the substance is performance enhancing.  If such
evidence becomes available, it will be added to the testing panel. 
Endurance is a miniscule portion of the equine industry, racing and show
horses far outnumber us and those industries are strongly motivated to
eliminate performance enhancing substances.  

I can't forsee the day when the tiny amounts of "drugs" comprising
homeopathic remedies will be tested for.  Serum levels are too low and
allopathic medicine doesn't believe they work anyway.  Herbs are
problematical for a different reason.  As someone from CA pointed out, her
horse will eat eucalyptes "when he needs it".  My gulf coast guys also
selectively consume herbs, weeds or  tree leaves on occasion, in addition
to their usual fare.  After all, horses *are* herbivores and herb intake is
usual for them.  I doubt many herbal supplements are appropriate for
testing and the membership should be advised which, if any, are; some of us
may need to try to eliminate those from areas with equine access.

Seeking education isn't (or at least shouldn't be) grounds for allegations
about competing or seeking to compete with an unsound, unfit, etc, horse. 
I think everyone here wants the best for the horses and to comply with the
rules as well.  How 'bout a philosphy of innocent until proven guilty?

Marge