In the fields of medicine and pharmacology a drug is defined as:
Any substance that in SMALL quantities alters the body's physiological or
biochemical response.
The Father of Pharmacology was Paracelsus who in 1583 wrote:
"All things are drugs (poisons), for anything in excess will change
(poison) the body.
>From this perspective some of the previous discussion points out the
dilemma in defining a drug. Oxygen (in excess) when administered to a
creature (be it human or equine) will alleviate breathing difficulties,
speed recovery, or if not needed, make us dizzy and giddy. Water, in
excess will dilute the blood stream and can lead to a syndrome known as
water intoxication causing such severe problems as seizures.
Vaccinations which we administer to ourselves and our animals to alter
the immune system with the purpose of preventing infections are also
considered drugs. Yet who would consider keeping their animals without
the use of these drugs. They are an essential preventative health care
measure. I feel that the periodic use of Adequan to prevent permanent
joint damage also falls into this category. Adequan will not mask a
serious problem as it has no antiinflammatory properties. Perhaps the
AERC should consider a time limit, such as can not be administered
withing 1 week prior to the race, this would still allow the preventative
health care usage, but eliminate the possibility of it altering the
outcome of the ride.
As to the use of vitamins. Vitamins will not create superathletes, nor
will they significantly alter performance, unless the animal is in
deficit. Vitamins fall into 2 categories, water soluble and fat
soluble. It is impossible to overdose on the water soluble vitamins
as any excess that the body does not need will be excreted in the urine.
Megadoses of the fat soluble vitamins usually lead to the development of
significant toxicities including irreversible liver damage and
neurological damage. So the use of megadoses only defeats the purpose.
For the safety of the horses the AERC is wise to not permit the use of
megadose vitamins as most people do not know which are water soluble and
which are fat soluble.
Hope this is food for thought for riders and directors.
Lynn
Davie, FL
Lynn M. Crespo, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Pharmacology
Nova-Southeastern University
L. M. Crespo
lynn@alpha.acast.nova.edu