Illegal substances

[TraLaLa]

I have been following Mrs B's thread with great interest as a friend of mine bought from the same dealing network with disastrous consequences. I thought I would pose a question relating to illegal substances. Just how prevalent are they in the horse world and how can the unsuspecting horse buying public look for the clues/wise up? I know of several instances where blood tests have shown ACP, Bute, and Mepivacaine respectively. I am told there are a whole host of other drugs that 'people in the know' use routinely, which the rest of us just don't know about e.g. Fluphenazine an antipsychotic drug used for humans. I have also learned that 'milkshaking' is also a common practice (Sodium Bicarbonate to mask the presence of other drugs).

 

[cptrayes]

If the dealer makes more than the merest suggestion what vet you should use, run a mile. If a blood test is ever refused, run a mile. If they blanch when you ask for permission to access the horse's vet record with its previous owner, run a mile. If they seem reluctant to show you the passport before you buy the horse, run a mile. Previous owners name and address will be in it, see if it tallies with the storydealer tells. I think it would break the data protection act to contact them yourself, though? If it's an ex racer, try and contact the trainer, they are usually happy to talk about horses they have had in their care. Turn up "accidentally" early - and see if the horse is already being ridden or has been turned out to lose some stiffness. Look for sweat marks that might suggest they have tired it out on the lunge before you arrive. Don't believe any stories of why a horse is thin, if your riding is not at a point where you can take the risk that it's thin because they starve it to get it to behave.

I'm sure there are more.