Re: [RC] APF What is in it, and would residues from its administration violate rule 13? - Ed & Wendy Hauser
"...Gastroguard. As far as I am concerned if a substance has been
show to have no effect like MSM and DMG then who cares. By arguing over these
things and worrying about them we lose the sight on the bigger threat to the
sport - allowing in drugs that have proven pharmacological effects, e.g.
Gastroguard..."
I certainly agree with that. I just am
unaware that the vet committee is giving serious consideration to modification
of Rule 13 to allow Gastroguard. If such a move is on the agenda, I have
some letters to write.
Do not loose sight of the fact that this discussion
started because a person apparently thought that APF was OK because it was not a
"drug". My responses were triggered because Rule 13 is not a "drug" rule,
and quick research showed that APF contained a bunch of chemicals that had been
shown to have effects on people. (including, if I interpret the doctor speak
correctly, modifying sleep which could be seen as a calming effect in
horses) I usually respond to herbal posts because many people seem to
think that if it comes from a plant it is not banned, and if it is sold as a
herbal product it must be safe. Some herbal products are dangerous! That
is why the human diet preparations with "fen-fen" are banned. They caused
people to die! Even websites touting the internal use of Aloe Vera warn
that it can wreck kidneys, cause diarrhea, and should be taken with other herbs
to prevent cramps. No endurance horse should be competing with this plant
product in their body!
You do have a good point about the limits of
detection. I posted on the increasing sensitivity of analytical testing a
few years ago. I was privately chastised for this by a member of the vet
committee. Formal action limits may have to come at some time in the
future, but I don't think the time is right yet.
It is indeed unfortunate that we live in a culture
that both hates and loves drugs. We harshly punish people for consumption
of relatively harmless drugs, and encourage other drugs with advertisements
every day. It is bad to make yourself feel better by smoking pot, but OK
to use any one of a dozen prescription happy pills.
Others do not trust science, but still
want the magic bullet. They delude themselves that if it is "natural"
or "herbal" it must be safe and OK. These people take real risks with
their lives. Some of the preparations they spend their hard earned money
for are totally ineffective so they waste their money. Some are harmful
(Fen-fen). Some may be OK for some things, but vary in potency. One batch
may be ineffective because of low potency, another may be harmful because of
high potency. Some of these herbal preparations do work and work
well. When my boss's brother was dying of cancer 20 years ago, a Chinese
co-worker sought the advice of a traditional healer he knew from before he
emigrated. This, apparently honest, healer offered no hope of cure, but
did provide preparations that relieved pain and elevated the spirits of the ill
person.
If an adult person chooses to use herbal
preparations on themselves, knowing the risks and potential rewards, that is
their business. It becomes the AERC's business when the preparation is
used on a horse during a ride.
Ed
Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower
Road Victor, MT 59875
