This article is intended to discuss specific examples of treatments that are either prohibited or considered allowed during AERC competition, according to the current AERC drug rule. The following information is intended to clarify the current rule as written with regards to treatments. Appendices F and G of Rule 13 list what types of treatments are prohibited and allowed; this article will give some specific examples of these treatments.

Massage vs. manipulation. A gray area and one that is difficult to technically differentiate is the distinction between 1) deep massage and 2) manipulative procedures used to stimulate acupressure or response points. Because these two procedures blend into one another in the middle of a sliding scale, the rule differentiates between the two by allowing massage/acupressure using only hand/finger pressure and prohibiting the use of instruments to apply massage/acupressure.

If you are going to apply deep massage/acupressure to your horse, use your hands only.

Other instruments, other than what we commonly consider grooming instruments, are not allowed. An example of a prohibited treatment during competition would be an electric massager -- use your hands or grooming tools only. The use of other instruments allows misinterpretation of their use and is prohibited.

Oral/rectal intubation. Also keep in mind it is prohibited to place any tube or other instrument into your horse other than a dosing syringe in order to administer an allowed substance such as oral electrolytes. Examples of prohibited treatments are cool water/ice enemas or any instrument placed orally or rectally in order to stimulate a response.

Ice and ice water. Applying ice/ice water topically with or without compression on the horse is allowed. An example of applying ice/ice water without compression is the use of loosely applied ice boots. Examples of applying ice/ice water with compression is the use of tight ice boots, tight wraps over ice or compression wraps that use air to compress the ice/water wrap.

Magnetic devices. Externally applied magnetic field devices are prohibited regardless if they are applied to specific points of the body or the entire body. For example, magnetic blankets are prohibited. Magnetic files applied anywhere on the body are prohibited by the current AERC drug rule.

These have been some specific examples of what is currently prohibited and what is allowed by the current AERC drug rule. The appendices to the rule are periodically reevaluated and annually updated by the Veterinary Committee as modern treatment modalities and current drug therapies change. If you would like to comment on these updates, please contact a member of the Veterinary Committee.

For reference, following are the two appendices to the drug rule that address the treatments that are regulated:

F: Prohibited Treatments

1. Acupuncture, or any procedure involving the insertion of a needle into the equine.

2. Osseous manipulation (chiropractic).

3. Any manipulative procedure using an external device or instrument such as devices to manipulate or stimulate acupressure or response points, including but not limited to bioscans, laser lights or magnetic stimulation.

4. Any procedure involving the placement of a tube or other instrument into the equine (other than the oral cavity using a dosing syringe, see Appendix G item 4) for the purpose of administering a substance or to stimulate a response.

5. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy or similar device to produce a temporary or permanent analgesia. This would also include radiofrequency (RF) neurectomy. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is not permitted within 7 days of competition.

6. Any external magnetic field device or electropulse generator device applied either over the entire body or specifically on pressure points. This would include but not be limited to P3 machines.

7. Administration of a local anesthetic, either topical, injectable or oral to any part of the horse or any procedure that results in desensitization of any part of the equine.

G: Allowable Treatments

1. Massage, deep massage/acupressure using digital (hand/finger) pressure only.

2. The use of instruments commonly known as grooming instruments.

3. The use of ice boots and other means of applying ice/ice water topically.

4. The oral administration of permitted substances by means of dosing syringe.