I recently read an article in Practical Horseman about medicating performance horses and was dismayed to see that the supplements I used at the clinic would be considered illegal. The article specifically said, "The United States Equestrian Federation's drugs and medication rules are clear: Anything that's given to a horse, in any way, with the intent to alter the horse's performance, be it through pain control or temperament adjustment, is not permitted. That means anything you give your horse - homeopathic, herbal, or otherwise - that's meant to calm him or make him more comfortable is illegal unless expressly permitted by the USEF.

Looking for an alternative to medical sedatives? Know the facts about herbal supplements before you administer them to your horse. / Herbal preparations aren't FDA-approved, meaning they're not well-controlled. In many cases, we don't even know what's in them, or in what amounts. In fact, it's possible that an herbal supplement could contain well-known tranquilizing medications, such as acepromazine or detomidine. In one example, several prominent horsemen were cited by the USEF when the drug reserpine was identified in six different horses during recognized competition. This tranquilizing drug was believed to have come from an herbal supplement-despite manufacturer's claims and labeling on the product to the contrary.