I have been informed that I am not educated on
equine ulcers. Maybe I am missing something. But I do have ethics.
The original poster wanted to know why
AERC would not allow ulcer drugs. I responded with "Why would you need drugs to
get through a ride?". I have done my homework. Just type in "equine ulcers"
and the information is there. Exercise does not cause ulcers. Long periods
of training without food and stress allow acid to damage the stomach lining. Is
that not true? What does it take to figure that out? All of the research I found
on EGUS reiterated what I said in my post. Better management in feeding and
training/exercise help to prevent and/or manage ulcers. Meaning, make sure
the stomach acid has something else besides lining to burn. Like hay and food.
If the horse has re-occurring ulcers, stop creating the environment in which
they flourish. Like stress and hard training. Hmmm? That makes
sense.
There are also many side effects to the drugs
available (how many drugs DON'T have side effects?) including but not limited to
organ toxicity, dehydration, loss of appetite. Is that what we want to give
horses that are working for hours on end to complete a 50 or 100 mile ride? It
can certainly help to speed up the healing process but if you want to compete on
horse that has ulcers, how long are you willing to keep it on medication? Also,
what would that lead to? Bute can help a lot of different minor aches and pains.
Why shouldn't we be allowed to use that? There are also drugs that will help
your horse stay calm in stressful situations like trailering. Why shouldn't we
allow that? Oh, it could go on and on and on.
I stand by my original post. This is about the use
of drugs, not what they are needed for.
AERC's main concern is for the horse's welfare, not
the rider's ability to compete on a compromised horse. A horse on drugs, is
compromised. How much do you need to know, to know that?
A medicated horse doesn't need to be doing
anything except getting better.
That, to me, seems to be the ethical thing to
do.
These are my opinions, but they are NOT based on
ignorance 'cause I be edjucated now.
Lisa Salas, The Odd fArm
How have I made it through life being so ignert?
Every time I THINK I have something intelligent to say, someone let's me know I
am so wrong. Will I ever learn?
