Re: Drug Testing

Truman Prevatt (truman.prevatt@netsrq.com)
Tue, 10 Dec 1996 15:14:50 -0400

>Truman,
>
>Would you please answer my original questions, if you know:
>
> Does such a AERC vet review committee exist?
>
> If so, what precise standards do they use to make prosecution
>decisions?
>
>Also, it would be very helpful if you could please explain the
>precise difference between a drug and nutrient. If a product is touted
>by a manufactureer to be a nutrient or a homeopathic agent is there an
>EXACT test that can be used to decide if it violates the AERC drug rule?
>
>If there is no such test, do you know of any comprehensive AND COMPLETE
>list of banned substances and a text on their clearance times which is
>recognized by AERC. Such a list would certainly be helpful in
>preveningt unintended feeding/medication violations don't you think.
>
>We certainly DO want to provide good health and longivity for our
>horses, but certainly DO NOT want to violate any rules.
>
>Thank you.

Let me suggest that one of the directors, maybe someone on the vet
committee answer the above question. My original post was that I don't
feel that the policy is that difficult to understand or follow and that
test results in cases probably has to be interperted.

As to the definition of drug we had this discussion about a year ago. IMO,
something being a drug has more to do with its effect than it chemical
composition. If you got a lame horse through a ride by having your crew
meet you a mile outside each vet check and applying ice for 15 minutes,
then in this case, I contend that ice is a drug.

BTW many of the supplements that are fed are derived from plants as are
most of our drugs. The popular supplement yucca contains salicin, which
has been used as an analgesic and is a closely related to apririn, which is
derived from salicylic acid.

So is yucca a drug or a nutrient? In the case of yucca (some might help
here) I believe the active component will test.

Truman

Truman Prevatt
Sarasota, FL