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Maggie et
al:
Consider the AERC
Rule that covers the use of drugs;
13. The integrity of
Endurance Competition requires that the equine is
not influenced by any drug, medication or
veterinary treatment.
Endurance equines must compete entirely on
their natural ability.
AERC prohibits from competition equines who
contain evidence of
the administration of abnormal substances or
of normal substances
in abnormal amounts (exogenously administered
compounds even
if normally found endogenously). Since the
complete effects of such
administration cannot be known, the fairness
and safety require the
prohibition of such practices.
13.1 A. Upon discovery of the presence of such drug or
medication, approved
laboratory shall immediately report the matter to AERC. Any action or
substance
administered internally or externally, whether drugs or otherwise, which
may
interfere with the testing procedure, or mask or screen
the
presence of such drug, is forbidden.
Now, if you read the basic rule very
carefully it mentions nothing about a drug being prohibited just because it can
be tested for. The Rule says in fact that NO DRUGS ARE ALLOWED!!! And
as to what are considered drugs? That is quite clear
((exogenously administered
compounds even if normally found endogenously).
Then in 13.1, the explanation is given as to the procedure to be
followed if drugs ARE suspected, tested for, and
detected.
At
no place in the AERC Rules and Regulations does it ever state that it is legal
to use a drug (as defined in the rule) because it cannot be detected. To the
contrary the AERC Rules state " The integrity of Endurance Competition requires that the equine is
not influenced by any drug, medication or
veterinary treatment. Endurance equines must compete entirely on
their natural ability."
If a rider
cannot, in clear conscience, make that statement based on the simple reading of the rule, should
they be allowed in competition?
Bob
Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID
I found the page with the prohibited substances for AERC
competition. It states (in addition to other things that are
prohibited)
*nutrient substances administered in doses to achieve a pharmacologic
effect (DMSO, DMG, yucca and MSM)
I am wondering then if 375 mg. would produce a
pharmacologic effect. What about MSM at 2500 mg.?
Would withdrawing the supp at 96 hours significantly decrease the benefit of
the glucosamine and chondroitin? Would it be better to use only a
glucosamine/chondroitin supp? Would I need to withdraw that supp anyway?
Thanks for all the opinions/information I know I'll get on this. Forgive
me if I don't respond for a day or two... I am going out of town and will be
back on Monday. Thanks!
Maggie
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