They see it as performance enhancing but never told me why. When my vet called the hotline they said something about enhanced kidney function. I honestly don’t remember all of the logic, but it wasn’t a calming effect and I’ll tell you that horse was a handful and under no circumstances would his performance be enhanced by having more energy 
Since I had good medical reasons w lots of back up from my vets and also vet hospitals and research my lawyers did, they let it go as a warning. The lawyers told me anything off label is a no no. Which I didn’t know. Metformin is not technically approved for horses although widely used. USEF doesn’t care if it’s on a list or not. You can always call the hotline so they think that’s good enough. I recently called to ask about acetaminophen which my vets recommend for fever as a reaction to when they get eqstim It’s not on a list. I called the hotline and they said not allowed. 7 day withdrawal period.
Safety and well-being because, if they weren’t gelded, their behavior would make them unhappy/unsafe. No, we’re not modifying behavior to win ribbons but make no mistake, we’re modifying behavior intentionally.
I’m not here to give a biology lesson, but to synchronize estrus cycles, to aid in ET, harvesting oocytes, granulosa cell tumors, maintain a pregnancy because some people show mares early in the pregnancy. And yes- people who give it solely for behavior are violating the spirit of the rule but there are medical reasons it isn’t illegal in mares but is for geldings.
This is my point exactly. You’re saying it violates the rule. The rule does seem to imply that. But USEF hasn’t said that.
it “can” but there are many biological reasons it wouldn’t be used for that. There is a specific reason it can’t be given to geldings -there is no biological reason other than calming.
If you think the majority of mares showing at a high level are on regumate for any reason other than to alter mood and/or behavior, do I have a bridge to sell you.
You brought up Regumate and it being legal in mares. My point is there are biological reasons it is legal for mares and not males. Again- the “why” it is being given either violates or doesn’t.
Some associations have banned the use of Omeprazole, as there are some theories that it blocks the detection of other substances. Appaloosa Horse Club has only started allowing it in the past couple of years. NRHA requires administration to be greater than 4 hours from competition.
Another view from a devil’s advocate. I have a TB who I bought as a ridgling. Vet did the gelding, but couldn’t find the undescended testicle, and said there may still be testicular tissue that can produce testosterone. So, he’s a gelding, but he’s also a stallion (simplifying). So the vet did say they had some success with altrenogist for helping stallion-like tendencies. So, is it similar to gelding a stallion for his betterment – in which case it would be acceptable? Or is it similar to using a calming substance simply to calm – in which it would not be acceptable? I can see both sides of this. We don’t show him, and I have not put him on altrenogist (Regumate), but I find this an interesting topic of discussion.
“enhanced kidney function” maybe code for “it has a masking effect and we’re not sure we could detect other drugs if a horse was on metformin”
Possibly. I also recall something about better oxygenation in the blood or something. Seemed like whatever the effect, the horse would have more energy but my memory isn’t fabulous.
That makes me sad because it’s definitely something that benefits a lot of horses. I wonder if sucralfate is allowed.
Did you miss the very first part where I said I was playing devils advocate?
Everything we do with horses is to alter its behavior. Training, keeping it within fences, feeding regimens, giving ulcergard, stuffing ears.
Those things may have very good reasons, so that the horse can live safely in our world, but they are all altering its natural behavior.
It’s a terribly written rule.
Interesting that months ago one of your competitors learned that L-Theanine is not in compliance with USEF rules and removed it from their products. Were you not paying attention? https://perfectproductseq.com/articles/industry-update-commitment-to-showsafe-formulas/
All “calming pastes” violate USEF rules, so I’m not holding PP up as a shining example, but L-Theanine is specifically not allowed in USEF competition, and at least they are aware of that, unlike SynNutra Equine.
SynNutra Equine really should give it a rest. It’s becoming embarrassing….
Which associations have banned Omeprazole?
Appaloosa Horse Club was one that did until the last couple of years.
I posted earlier that it cannot be used day of racing in NYS at least with Standardbreds, I’m not sure if it’s the same for Thoroughbreds.
This thread has a lot of strawman arguments and/repetition of circular arguments that have been addressed already.
Yes - absolutely the reason.
