What are drugs to AERC?

[tina hicks <tina@liveonthenet.com>]

I am interested in trying some of the supplements that relax a horse
during a stressful time like trailering. Though Tony is an experienced
hauler, he eats and drinks very, very little on the road (I've had
plenty in my trailer that do eat and drink so I don't think it's my
driving <g>). Traveling a long distance really puts him at a
disadvantage when I vet in as most of my rides are at least 5 hours
away. He eats fine in camp once there.

What started me this is an injury a few months ago while unloading at a
rest stop on the way to a ride. We had to have him lightly Ace'd and
stitched by a nearby vet. When we put him back on the trailer after
everything was done, he starting eating right away. And when we unloaded
3 hours later all his hay was gone - I couldn't believe my eyes - I have
to attribute that to having a bit of Ace still in him when we loaded him
from the vet tho he looked alert and very normal.

Now I can't very well Ace him before a trailer ride :) but I'm wondering
if there's an acceptable way to get the relaxed-enough-to-eat effect
another way when trailering any distance to a ride. 

I wonder if

a)some of the so called herbal or natural additives would have the same effect

and

b) which ones, if any, would be safe to use prior to a ride. I know
Valerian Root is a prohibited substance and so is Yucca I think. What else?

Besides knowing what is actually forbidden I'm also not interested
(obviously) in using anything that would affect his performance the next
day (unless it make us top ten every ride of course <bg>). The
literature on these things say they don't affect performance - but
doesn't the marketing stuff always tell you what you want to hear? (says
she who works in marketing)

I'm looking at some of the stuff at A Drop in The Bucket for reference -
their site is www.dropinbucket.com.

Anyone know anything about these or similar products?

Tina
tina@liveonthenet.com