Discussion on Pre purchase sedative
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Janice Ketsche
New Member
Username: Janice76
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Monday, Nov 18, 2002 - 10:51 pm: |   |
My sister and I recently purchased a horse that seemed dead calm. He would stand quietly when tied, behaved nicely under saddle, and generally seemed a safe mount. Since getting him home he has gotten progressively worse. He fidgets, paws, tosses his head, and even rears and strikes when tacking him up. He still behaves under saddle, but we strongly suspect he was drugged long term by the seller. He does not seem malicious or aggressive, nor does he seem overly frightened or spooky, though he is somewhat herd-bound. He was broken by the seller starting in August, and we suspect that if he was drugged the last dose would have been in effect 25 days ago. What types of drugs could be involved? Would any traces of them remain in his blood, tissue, or hair if we had him tested tomorrow? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Incidentally, we are sending the horse for professional retraining.
Thank you,
Jan |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7313
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Nov 19, 2002 - 7:12 am: | |
Hello Jan,
2 come to mind: reserpine and fluphenazine. These drugs work by depleting certain chemicals in the brain and so there prescence is gone before the effects wear off. It is unlikely that they are still detectable.
However Jan, I must point out that a horse "just broke" is usually "not broke at all". Horses have a habit of slipping backwards for years after they are broke if proper training is not constantly and consistently applied.
DrO |
