Re: Drugs

["i452601" <lth@thegrid.net>]

Marge wrote:

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.

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,

I totally agree with what you wrote.  I admit I was surprised when I
read that it is impossible to list the "prohibited drugs and
substances", and wondered ??why??

I showed horses for years and everyone who shows knows exactly what
"they" test for.  I have some doubts and questions, now, about trying
some of the supplements for fear that an ingredient in them will test
positive and it would result in me being disqualified.  I do not
condone "riding on drugs" which is one reason I left the show ring.

I think those who join AERC ((especially us newbies)) and participate
in it's sanctioned rides should know "up front" what substances are
forbidden and tested so that we can know where we stand on this
subject of *drugs*.

Linda Hedgpeth
Greenfield, CA
lth@thegrid.net