How Much Ace For Large Horse On Windy Day

[TWH_Girl]

[QUOTE=GraceLikeRain;n10280333]
I always find it funny when newer COTH members hop on and want to lecture members who are (a) solid riders with (b) a longstanding positive reputation. If someone has been a member 3x longer than me, I withhold a bit of that “hollier than thou” approach,

I’ve heard 1/2 cc IM or 3/4 cc orally is suitable for most horses.

If ace softens the edge to let a horse have a calm first few rides back, IMHO that’s better than lunging for 45 minutes or having an out of shape horse risk an injury bucking and romping like a maniac. It is cold most places so waiting until a nice mid 70s day could mean waiting 6 months to get back in the tack. Knock the edge off and hop on @Lord Helpus !!
[/QUOTE

The number of posts one writes on an internet forum does not equate to anything but words. I take 'em as I see 'em. People can have differing opinions even if they are “greenies” on a silly horse board. OP asked a question and got a few responses she didn’t like. So it goes on COTH. There should be no cliques or preferential treatment of posters in as much as it’s possible.

[Redlei44]

@Lord Helpus I hope that you don’t leave the boards. I’m newer around here but I often enjoy reading your posts. In my experience, (judicious) use of drugs to ride, outside of actual rehab, is a genuinely controversial topic and the responses here are a realistic reflection of the spectrum of opinions on the matter. Like many controversial topics it’s probably best to privately ask your trusted vet providers or other resources, if you’re not interested in a debate. . .

[kcmel]

Personally I think ace is an amazing drug. I’ve never had a horse get wobbly with it–higher doses are sedating but the doses discussed here are more anxiolytic. I use 1-2 tablets on my cross bred if weather etc. has prevented us from hacking out in a while. It makes for a much less stressful ride for both of us–he’s still reactive but much less so. My vet is cool with it. Shrugs…

[short_strided]

I’m impressed that so many of you have such magical rehab skills… eyeroll…

Out of curiosity, what would you do with a 17 hand dragon that had been on extended stall rest, when turning is out of the question due to vets instructions? Hence, no round pen or lunging. Do you risk your personal safety and your horse’s physical healing by flying that kite drug free? I don’t care if it’s hand or tack walking, a little pharmaceutical intervention is safer for everyone in that scenario. That’s why the drugs were created.

It’s not like the OP is asking how much Ace to give at a horse show. She just wants to feel safer during her first post rehab ride. I have had the unfortunate experience of rehabbing several times, and have used .5-2cc’s orally depending on the horse and situation. I have never had one “blow through” it in the sense that they become sedated and then suddenly wake up, but I have seen cases where the horse is too worked up when the Ace is given for it to take effect. YMMV.

[Pennywell_Bay]

@Lord Helpus , So- to answer your question, I’d give probably between 0.5- 1.5 IM, depending on the horse and I mean- how crazy and big are we talking? I also wouldn’t advise a random person to go ahead and ACE their horse, but a regular poster I “know” internet wise I’d give a shout-out at what “I” would give to “my” horse, knowing them and having had them sedated before.

I honestly do not keep ACE on hand anymore, but yeah- when I had one come back from a suspensory injury that was a hot mare, you bet your ass we aced her. Why risk reinjury or injury at all :concern:.

Now, “I” wouldn’t get on a horse coming back on a windy day, I think to myself. But I got on my mare a few Sat ago in 45 mile and hour winds to see how’d she behave after a disastrous horse show :ambivalence: so who am I to throw shade? (horse was perfect btw, nuts at the show and fantastic at home in wind but that is a whole 'nother thread).

If people don’t want to sit on a horse that is aced- that is fine and understandable. If people don’t mind getting on- is it really that big a deal? They aren’t showing the horse on ace for crying out loud. :rolleyes:

I love the “magical rehab skills” :lol:, I was thinking the exact same thing. I am really lucky that 3 of my current ones could sit in stalls for 6 months and come out almost the same as the day they were laid up- chill. But I have had ones that are nutso, no shame in a little pharmaceutical help by a responsible owner, provided by a vet.