Fluphenazine: A YouTube Video That Isn't Scary

1/15/2012

Several friends, that is vet friends, encouraged me to shoot a video of Sydney (on Fluphenazine) that showed him not whacked out, violent, or dying. Most of the YouTube videos of horses using Fluphenazine were doing one of those things. Those videos are far more interesting than the one of a horse standing in his stall quietly. That's why you can't find successful examples of Fluphenazine. Who wants to watch ten minutes of nothing? So in an effort to balance the available info of this particular drug, I uploaded a video to YouTube. Here it is.

Val

1/14/2012 11:41:11 pm

Nice cantering!

That was pretty amusing. I liked all the barn chores and such. I hope people do not try and read something into it. YouTube is scarier than the blogosphere in my humble opinion. ;)

Karen

1/15/2012 12:08:08 am

Val - YouTube has some great stuff, but there is also some really scary stuff. Smart people know the difference, usually. A vet friend thought I should add my own Fluphenazine experience to the mix to show that it does have very successful results. The reason no one uploads those kind of videos is because they aren't dramatic.

This video is meant to show what can happen when Fluphenazine is given to the right kind of horse (one without violent tendencies). Sydney is a sweetheart by nature who wants to do the right thing.

I am actually hoping people DO try and read something into it. I hope they watch and realize that medications can do a lot of different things and that maybe it is better to consult your vet for a treatment option rather than consulting the internet for advice. :0)

Karen (and Sydney has a LOVELY canter - glad I found it!)

Val

1/15/2012 02:08:54 am

I understand, but people can interpret videos in unexpected ways.

I meant to tell you that I liked the rolling banners, too.

Karen

1/15/2012 02:21:13 am

They're called "tickers" as in ticker tape. I think they're fun to use.

I am only asking out of curiosity since it seems pretty innocuous to my own eye, but how do you think the YouTube video could be interpreted? Do you think people might see it as a substitute for training, as a cure-all for crazy horses, or simply as a shortcut? I'd really be interested in hearing your opinion.

I mentioned in an earlier post that Sydney's ground manners were quite lacking when he first joined me. His good behavior in the barn has nothing to do with Fluphenazine. That's just persistent training. I only showed that because other YouTube videos show horses who have been given Fluphenazine doing weird and odd things in their stalls without any outside stimulus such as plastic bags, water hoses, or tossed grooming equipment.

Any way ... if you have time, I'd be interested in your thoughts.

Karen

Kelly RGF link

1/15/2012 03:51:12 am

Well THAT was indeed not very interesting at all - in a good way. I've not seen the 'crazy' Fluph. videos; I must look them up one day.

Since it's injected, will it start wearing off gradually towards the end of the active period? It will be really interesting to see whether you guys revert to old patterns or whether there have been enough positive experiences to over-ride the past. I hope (and think) it will be the latter.

PS - Sydney does have a lovely canter. You should post more videos of him going!

Karen

1/15/2012 07:11:20 am

His left lead canter is really good. To the right? Yikes! Now that we're cantering each day, it's getting smoother. I get a much better trot after the canter work which is very different from what Speedy offers. I am loving the differences that I am seeing in Sydney. I am so, so glad that I sucked it up and got rid of the fear! I am having a lot more fun with him now. :0)

The Fluphenazine lasts about a month and then yes, it should start to fade away. I genuinely think the lessons he and I are learning right now are causing permanent changes in both of our behavior. He is much more trusting and is definitely looking to me for comfort, friendship, and dare I say it? Leadership. :0)

Time will tell ...

Val

1/15/2012 04:27:49 am

I agree with you that it was innocuous. Very, very uninteresting, but in a good way as Kelly RGF mentioned.

I have not watched the scary counter part videos online and I do not want to. I am not talking about rational people making rational interpretations of your video. I talking about the crazy, out-in-left field people that can make YouTube a scary place. I don't have anything specific in mind, because I do not consider myself a crazy person so I do not know what others might come up with. ;)

I am sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I think that your video is VERY well done!!!

Karen

1/15/2012 07:13:11 am

I didn't watch any of the crazy videos either. I saw the headlines and just skipped them. I don't like to fill my head with those kinds of images.

Thanks for your feedback. :0)

AareneX link

1/15/2012 05:50:59 am

I *like* your "boring" video.

I also love your barn. All that light! It cracked me up to watch you *spraying water* into the paddock and stall--to keep dust down, I imagine? We don't do that here in the Swamp. >g<

Karen

1/15/2012 07:18:55 am

We use a lot of water. It's hard to believe that I am still spraying the dust down. But yes, that is what I was doing. It's been nearly 60 days since we've had any precipitation. We had two rain storms in October, but it was months before that that we had any other rain. We've had 1.3 inches this season. It's pretty dry.

This is a LOVELY barn. I feel very lucky to have found this arrangement. If you look under the videos and articles tab, you'll find a link for around the barn. I have a short barn tour video if you want to see more of the barn. It's certainly the nicest barn that I've ever had for my horses. It's great when it does rain, and it's equally nice in our searing heat.

Cyndi

3/1/2013 05:20:54 pm

Hi Karen,
I came across this blog while researching Fluphenazine. I am a 4th year vet student and it was a drug that I was unfamiliar with. Obviously, the youtube videos come up first when you do an internet search and then I came across your blog. I have heard of other people using it successfully and the serious reactions seem to be overdoses.
I was wondering if you still used it and what your were your feelings if you've used it long term. It is not a drug that is found in any of our pharmaceutical books, even used off label.
I have also found that the USEF has listed it as an illegal drug for competition.
Any comments would be appreciated. I can definitely see it as a use in long-term stall confinement. I would really like to have an understanding of it's use as a behavior modification drug. We use behavior drugs for dogs and cats with anxiety, fear, etc. to keep them from being euthanized. It only makes sense that we have an option for horses.
Thank you,
Cyndi

Karen

3/1/2013 11:21:02 pm

Cyndi,

I only used the Fluphenazine one time. I was open to using it more than once, but it wasn't necessary. While Sydney is still prone to some anxiety, I have learned how to manage his environment to help reduce the feelings of anxiousness. Some of the anxiety was even caused by me. I had never owned an OTTB before so his behavior was new for me.

I am learning what makes him feel safe as well as what will trigger anxious feelings. I have also learned how to manage him when he is feeling anxious. If my behavior modifications hadn't worked, I would have continued with the Fluphenazine, or sold him him.

You are right that Fluphenazine is a banned substance with USEF, but as Sydney isn't showing yet, it seemed more important to help relax him first. My vet has a permanent equine resident at their hospital that receives Fluphenazine with some regularity. If I remember correctly, the horse is dosed seasonally with no adverse reactions.

Since you're not a regular reader, you wouldn't have read this before, but I frequently write about how much I love my vet. My blog focuses on three main areas: dressage, endurance riding, and vet care. My vet(s) allow me quite a lot of freedom while at the hospital which makes it easier to learn. A win-win for all of us! best of luck with your studies and future career. :0)

Karen

youtube to mp4 converter link

5/27/2013 08:52:57 pm

I was reading your article and wondered if you had considered creating an ebook on this subject. Your writing would sell it fast. You have a lot of writing talent.

Gina

2/10/2019 07:00:43 pm

The drug is dangerous to use in horses. It can and has had very “scary” reactions and is not to be used on horses. Instead of posting a harmless video stating that YouTube can be a scary place but you yourself did not view the bad reaction videos, you should view the bad reactions and they are common. You are not in any position to be an authority on drug use in animals. You are condoning the use by making a harmless video. Horses die and people are hurt because of the use of this drug. Do your research before you give an opinion. You just ask a few “vet” friends?Just because you have not seen a bad reaction does not mean it doesn’t happen. It does happen. Your video is derelict by saying an unsafe drug is safe when it is in fact not. Drugging horses is sad and it is against the law. You need to check what you put out on your blog and YouTube. You are part of a huge problem and why most people should not own a horse. If someone see’s your video and then decides it is safe than I believe you should also be held with some responsibility if their horse shows a reaction and results in human or animal harm or death. What scares me is that you are a teacher and blog about care of horses. SMH.

Bakersfield Dressage link

2/18/2019 06:05:57 am

Gina, Thank you for taking the time to respond. You do not mention it, so I am assuming that you are not a veterinarian. I only use products and methods recommended by my veterinarian who has been in practice for than 30 years. I am also assuming that you did not read my comment from up above. I am pasting here because I think it addresses your concerns:

YouTube has some great stuff, but there is also some really scary stuff. Smart people know the difference, usually. A vet friend thought I should add my own Fluphenazine experience to the mix to show that it does have very successful results. The reason no one uploads those kind of videos is because they aren't dramatic.

This video is meant to show what can happen when Fluphenazine is given to the right kind of horse (one without violent tendencies). Sydney is a sweetheart by nature who wants to do the right thing.

I am actually hoping people DO try and read something into it. I hope they watch and realize that medications can do a lot of different things and that maybe it is better to consult your vet for a treatment option rather than consulting the internet for advice. :0)

Comments are closed.

About the Writer and Rider

I am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
Welcome to my dressage journey.

Photo by Lori Ovanessian

Email Karen

About Speedy G

Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

About Izzy

Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.