PRO TIP
Five Tips for Talking About Medications by Glenye Cain Oakford
Having a written agreement establishes agreed guidelines, which will serve everyone’s interests, Spy Coast Farms’ Lisa Lourie says.
40 FALL ISSUE 2019
At some point in its life, nearly every horse or pony will be treated with medication, whether for a bump or scrape, a case of colic, or any other common ailment that can afflict equines. Understanding medications and their appropriate use is key to good horse care, but those who compete also need to be aware of the rules covering drugs and medications in competition in order to avoid a positive drug test. Knowing and agreeing on treatment boundaries protects not only the horse or pony, but also the people who own, train, and manage the animal. The United States Equestrian Federation’s website offers a wealth of resources that can help you avoid equine drug violations, starting with the Drugs and Medications page at usef. org, located under the Compete tab on the home page. There you’ll find such crucial information as the 2019 USEF Guidelines for Drugs and Medications, drugs and medications FAQs, medication report forms, advice on good biosecurity best practices for horses at home and at competitions, and much more. The online Learning Center also has the videos “Best Practices: Five Steps to Avoid Equine Drug Violations” and “USEF Drug Rules Explained,” featuring Dr. Stephen Schumacher, chief administrator of the USEF’s Drugs and Medications Program, and USEF General Counsel and Senior Vice-President Sonja Keating. But avoiding equine drug violations isn’t only about knowing the rules, paying close attention to the Guidelines for Drugs and Medications, and maintaining an organized program. It’s also about good communication. “There are several different aspects to this,” said Lisa Lourie, the owner of Spy Coast Farms in Lexington, Ky., Wellington, Fla., and Tryon, N.C., which specializes in the breeding, development, rehabilitation, and fitness of top-class performance horses for the hunter jumper, dressage, jumping, and eventing disciplines. Lourie also serves on the USEF’s Breeders’ Committee. “There are the owner, the trainer, the barn manager and/or groom, and the veterinarian. All of these people interact with the horse, and those are all points where there might be a decision made to medicate a horse.” By discussing medication expectations up front, owners, trainers, and veterinarians can help establish transparency and clear protocols. Lourie shared five tips for starting a discussion
PHOTO: PAULA DA SILVA/ARND.NL
Open lines of communication between owner, trainer, and veterinarian can help prevent misunderstandings—and positive tests
