Clipping and USEF drug question

[dani0303]

Yes, I realize I could look it up in the rulebook but that thing makes me want to pull my hair out. So I figured I'd ask the COTH geniuses a quick question

We have one that needs to be drugged for body clipping. How far in advance of the show can I do this without breaking the drugging rule?

[Ainsley688]

I don't know the rules, but I would say it depends on the drug used, how much, and how long it typically lasts in the horses system....

[Dazednconfused]

Yes, I realize I could look it up in the rulebook but that thing makes me want to pull my hair out. So I figured I'd ask the COTH geniuses a quick question

We have one that needs to be drugged for body clipping. How far in advance of the show can I do this without breaking the drugging rule?

A) It depends on the drug used. Each type of tranquilizer metabolizes at a different rate - something like reserpine lasts several weeks, where Ace could last just an hour (but be in the system for several days). Obviously reserpine is not the drug of choice for clipping, just an example. Presumably you're using something short-acting like the latter...but you know what they say about assuming...

B) Remember that regardless of what anyone here says, USEF essentially has a zero tolerance policy on sedatives/tranquilizers/mood-altering drugs of any kind even if someone claims it 'doesn't test' or isn't specifically noted on the list of prohibited substances:


ThE ThERAPEUTIC SUBSTANCE PROVISION
Any product is forbidden if it contains an ingredient that is a forbidden
substance, or is a drug which might affect the performance of a horse
and/or pony as a stimulant, depressant, tranquilizer, local anesthetic,
psychotropic (mood and/or behavior altering) substance, or might interfere
with drug testing procedures.


C) You actually don't even need to hit the (admittedly, somewhat dauntingly sized) rulebook for drugs & meds rules. USEF has a handy pamphlet that is only a few of pages exclusively about drugs & the rules about them. It can be found here:
http://www.usef.org/documents/competitions/2007/2007DrugsMedsGuidelines.pdf

See page 11 for "How Long Drugs Remain Detectable". For short acting sedatives it says seven days.

[dani0303]

Thanks Dazednconfused. That link was very helpful! We would most likely be using Ace on this mare. Good to know it's 7 days :)

[mroades]

Ace is 7 days, dormosedan is 72 hours

[Amwrider]

USEF also keeps regular business hours and I have their Drugs and Medications number on my cell phone.

It has come in very handy at times when at shows like the last one where we had a horse with an allergic reaction and the show vet and I called USEF and discussed treatment options that would still allow us to show if the horse recovered and felt better.