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Cause & Effect

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF USING THERAPEUTIC SUBSTANCES?

Therapeutic substances, such as those listed in the table located in the Appendix of this report, should be used for the specific purpose for which they were developed. We are concerned only with substances that are used in our show rings today. Substances used for any other reason should not be considered.

WHY USE THERAPEUTIC SUBSTANCES IN THE FIRST PLACE?

Horses sometimes have injuries that require temporary relief. The question regarding our show horses seems to demand scrutiny since a very large percentage are said to need therapeutic substance help at our shows.

This Committee has concluded that, in addition to general "accident-type" injuries such as being kicked, banging into a trailer while traveling, falling, etc., (the normal scrapes and bruises that seem inevitable) and lameness and discomfort caused by conformation defects, there are man-made causes for some of these "discomforts" that require therapeutic substances be administered by veterinarians at our shows.

Among some of the contributing factors to this last category are the following:

Expanding on 1) above, the necessity for administering therapeutic substances will be greatly diminished if the presentation of our horses is kept within the parameters of their conformation and natural physical ability. This committee has also determined that our young horses 3 years old and under are at the beginning of their careers and there should be no reason to medicate them in order to enable them to show. However, this committee is also recommending that horses 3 and under be allowed to have antibiotics administered for health purposes as long as these antibiotics do not mask or cover up the use of illegal substances.

2) and 3) above are interrelated. The complaints that many of our showgrounds have improper or very poor footing which leads to lameness are certainly justified. This committee is recommending that show committees correct this problem as a way to diminish the necessity for the use of therapeutic medication.

In addition, considering that our rules state that hoof length is not to exceed 4 ½", there becomes two schools of thought. First, for the most part, our show horses are kept with hoofs right at that 4 1/2" length. Many of these horses with hooves this length do, indeed, have lameness problems because of the imperfect footing and must have medication to perform--a man-made problem.

In contrast with the longer show-ring hoof, most horses that are used for such athletic challenges as endurance, 3-day eventing, stock and reining, dressage, horses working on ranches, etc., do NOT have a long hoof. These horses do stay much more sound than the horses with longer hoofs, regardless of the footing. Observations of horses in the wild will show that wild horses maintain very short hoofs. Dr. Rooney of Kentucky University and Dr. Auer of Texas A&M have both stated (to Lorry Wagner, firsthand) that the longer hoof predisposes the horse to lameness.

The positions of our Arabian trainers/exhibitors/breeders becomes quite divided here. Should our show horses be shod with a longer hoof which makes the horse more susceptible to lameness problems, thereby necessitating the use of medication? Or do we keep a shorter foot on the horse and allow the horse to be able to tolerate less than perfect footing at our show grounds greatly diminishing susceptibility to lameness problems, which results in diminished need for medication?

Our Charge: "Conduct an impartial study to determine which AHSA category best serves the Arabian Horse Breed -- No Foreign Substance or Therapeutic Substance Group"

Notes
Table 1

Table of Contents

Introduction

Side Effects of Overdosing

This subject is addressed in the Appendix, Table I Alternatives to Drugs

In researching the drug/medication influence on our horses, this committee has become aware there are alternatives to therapeutic substances and would simply bring that fact to the attention of those reading this report.

Appendix 

The following table gives an overview of categories, individual identity, and a brief summary of information of therapeutic substances addressed by this Committee. 

IAHA Drugs/Medication ad hoc Study Committee, Appendix Table I

Category

Name

Purpose

Short-term Effect ArabHorse/Breed

Long-term Effect ArabHorse/Breed

Other Comments

(See References Table)

NSAIDs, including phenylbutazone, ketoprofen, mectofemine acid, naproxen, and flunixin, predominately reduce pain by the reduction in tissue swelling.   (See References--No. 2)

All NSAIDs induce undesirable and potentially life-threatening side effects.  The majority of adverse reactions reflect the inhibitory effects of NSAIDs on prostaglandin activity.  In addition, acute intoxication by several drugs can be fatal.  The major toxicities associated with NSAIDS affect the GI, hematopoietic and renal systems.  (See References--No. 3)

Scientific literature and clinical veterinary experience support the proposition that multiple NSAIDs administered simultaneously, NSAIDS administered in large doses, and/or NSAIDs administered chronically possess a high potential of toxicity to the horse.  (See References--No. 4) Research studies have demonstrated that when ketafen is administered close to competition, or at higher doses, the result is to relieve pain from more extensive tissue damage.  (See References--No. 4)

“The presence of four or five NSAIDS in samples from the same horse competing at AHSA shows, and the high concentration of these drugs, constitutes “inhumane treatment.  The time to halt these abuses is long overdue,” stated Dr. George Maylin of New York, Professor at the Cornell University of College of Veterinary Medicine, veterinary pharmacologist, and consultant to the AHSA Drugs & Medications Committee. “We must get back to the original spirit of the Drugs & Medication Rule.  It has never been the AHSA’s intent to allow the use of painkillers in horses, and that is how ketoprofen and other NSAIDS are being used in many instances in the show ring.  AHSA shows and events are no place for lame horses to compete,” stated by Mr. Ed Bonnie, Chairman of the AHSA Drugs & Medication Committee.  (See References--No. 5)

It should be remembered, medications are developed and approved for specific uses at recommended dosages.  Continuous use without periodic evaluation of medical conditions can contribute to complications.  In many cases, further damage to the musculoskeletal system of the horse could be prevented with better diagnostics and medical/surgical management.  (See References--No. 6)

See "Notes"

References

• 1. "Equine Drugs and Vaccines, A Guide for Owners and Trainers," Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD (in consultation with Thomas Tobin, MVB, MRCVS; Breakthrough Publications, 1995, LoC Cat. Card No. 94-079199; Ossining, New York 10562.
• 2. "NSAID Research Summary," Dr. Charley Short, No. 13, paragraph 1.
• 3."Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics," Chapter 21, "The Analygesic-Antipyrene-Anti Inflammatory Drugs" by Dawn M. Booke, page 437.
• 4. "AHSA Executive Summary," January 9, 1998, "NSAID Summary," paragraph 1.
• 5. "AHSA Executive Summary," November 12, 1997, "Limits Proposed for Ketoprofen and other NSAIDS," page 4, Section 5
• 6. "The Use of NSAIDs: A Summary of the Last 10 Years Reported Research," Dr. Charles Short, No. 13, paragraph 7.

Summary

In summary, the following considerations are listed as the areas most affected by the use of therapeutic substances in our shows.

Man-Made Discomfort/Soreness

Slight to severe lameness due to bad footing and/or improper foot angle and length.

Conformation-Caused Discomfort/Soreness

Showing under therapeutic-substance relief for injuries can cause further, and sometimes permanent, damage by continued use of the injured area instead of resting with any exercise being prescribed specifically for the problem and under a totally controlled program.