Yes. NRCHA has a medication policy but I’m unaware of testing. I am unaware of any roping association with medication rules.
ETA - AQHA, APHA, ApHC all have medications rules that their cow events fall under. I do know they test at the world show at a minimum.
I mean, after hearing a lot of stressed out h/j ammies quizzing their trainers on if the horse got Perfect Prep and when and how much and does he need a little more… I often wonder how much of the ‘effectiveness’ is just the placebo effect on the riders.
Do you seriously think there aren’t some people at all of those endeavors not using ace or some other calming substance?
Do you not realize how different it is to break the rules and do it anyways (risking big time penalties) and the organization condoning it?
Seriously?
HUGE placebo effect for the legal calming tubes - I’ve never had any measurable difference between when it was used and wasn’t (and I used PP religiously growing up, some other girls’ horses got FOUR TUBES on show days. Insanity).
I grew up, learned the silliness of my ways, and now save my money for an extra warmup class or, let’s be honest, some liquid courage for myself 
I’m all for drugging the riders at this point. Sedation of the animals has no place in horse sports.
Seriously??? Yes I do. That’s why there’s all the published name of people busted for drugging their horses in all disciplines that have drug rules. Even with the rules, they still do it.
lol - NRHA didn’t publish the names of people who tested positive even before this. They only did in Europe cause EU had a stronger penalty list than NA.
If you’re replying to me, I mean USEF, AQHA etc., not NRHA. I haven’t kept up with them for years, other than watching the odd big reining class video.
There is a big difference between an organization condoning it though, which making a special exclusion for ace (the sedative) is.
Do you drug your horses to ride them in shows? Are you OK with others doing it?
I have shown at multiple NRCHA premiere events and have never heard of any horse being tested….
No and no.
This is a very interesting conversation. I spent 40 years in and around A systems H/J programs, and Dex was horrible. It was widely used, and everybody knew it.
I’m interested in the ‘lope them down’ conversation as well. After I left the H/J world, I rode Saddlebreds. It was the opposite. You wanted the horses fresh for the ring, so how did you work them to get them fit without losing their enthusiasm? You drive. Most Saddle Horses are driven their 2 year old year. They show as driving horses, so by the time you ride, breaking them to saddle is a non-event. And they continue driving them for fitness. It’s like Zen for a saddle horse. You harness them up, and I swear, they zone out while trotting in the jog cart.
Now I’m riding western. The biggest difference? The brain on the horse. The Paint I’m riding is an anxious type, but would still rather take a nap in the center of the ring than anything else.
Some people will always turn to substances. Others to overworking. The balance between fitness, performance and rideability is a fine line, and something each rider will have to work out with each individual horse.
and it’s about to get even more complicated.
Here’s the new guidance that is supposed to take effect Oct 1
GFI #256 - Compounding Animal Drugs from Bulk Drug Substances (fda.gov)
Wedgewood put out a PR after taking a survey of vets. It appears nobody really understands all the ins and outs…
Survey: Veterinary Practices Uninformed, Unprepared for FDA Guidance (wedgewoodpharmacy.com)
Romifidine is not on any of the lists, nor is pergolide so theoretically there could be no compounding of either using bulk drug substance. Or it could be more difficult to get it done.
Wine starts at Nine (am)!
My experience with PP is also that it does literally nothing other than add an additional 3-figure charge to a show bill.
And to add to this comment different states also have different rules as to if you can keep compounded products in clinic for dispensing or even for in house treatment.
It make it pretty dicey sometimes if you see pocket pets.
I bolus our pony mare every morning. Plastic goat bolus and she doesn’t even require a halter anymore, but she will not willingly eat it in anything. So, I guess we figured it out, but what would be the advantage to compounding it? It apparently tastes and smells awful. Would a powder make any difference?
After reading this thread, I have no interest in showing. I dabbled in my teens and twenties, but local stuff. Stuff where you could get away with you regular saddle and clean clothes. I’m sorry it’s come to this in so many areas of horse showing. I always thought it was the show classes, rather than performance. I’m very disappointed in western performance events. I knew there was a lot of money involved and absolutely hate the futurities with baby horses running their legs off. But drugs, too? Is this why stock horses are getting so fragile?
When you compound things, there are a lot more things you can do, like add flavoring, in addition ot changing the form.
As an NRHA Professional I’m disgusted by this move - we had no idea this was the move the board was trying to take with the drug policy and I was have shouted from the highest mountain in protest.
I have written to the executive board and board of directors - hoping this is over turned.
Psychotropics have never and will never play a part in my training program. End of story.
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