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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

The First Fluphenazine Follow-Up

1/8/2012

 
Picture
Random internet Photo
There will probably be others.  I knew this would be a controversial topic.  Non-traditional, or infrequently used things always are.  I certainly received some criticism for my decision, but I still believe it to be a good one.  

Slightly off topic here, but I take this blog quite seriously.  Even if no one reads it, I take pride in the accuracy of my facts, writing about what seems relevant, and then standing behind what I write. Fluphenazine is clearly a drug that most riders know little about. And if they have heard of it, their information was no doubt received via YouTube videos.   Dr. B and I had quite a few back and forth chats over this issue and one thing we both felt strongly about is the need for more education, whatever the topic.  She knows that one of the principles of this blog is equine health.  So in an effort to educate, I am openly, and honestly, sharing my experience with Fluphenazine.

Here's what some Facebook readers had to say about the use of Fluphenazine (check out yesterday's blog post here to read other comments):

Anonymous Vet: sorry, but even though it works for that one old appy that never gets worked that lives at [edited], i would never give it or recommend it. guess i'm just a sucker for all the stories i've heard of horses climbing walls on it. i really hope it goes well for you. really really i do. i'm just scared of it myself. even though i've given it to that appy too. i think if it really was safer than ace, it would be in more use than it is. i cant wait for your updates on this one

Dr. Blanton: I had an epiphany while walking the dog: Think of tranquilizers (ace and fluphenazine) as having a drink at a party. Most people (I like to think I'm one of them) just become much more relaxed and animated, while others can become loud, obnoxious and even aggressive. Sedation (vet trade names like dormosedan and rompun) is more like a roofie, making you unaware of your surroundings so that evil people like frat boys or veterinarians with motorized dental equipment can have their way with you without you being aware or remembering much. Too much alcohol or tranquilizer can certainly have a sedative effect...too much of a good thing is generally a bad thing. Some people shouldn't drink at all, ever, because of the stupid and dangerous things they do under the influence...the same kind of discretion is necessary when deciding whether to drug horses.

Dr. Harrison: I hope it works too. I would imagine the reason it's not more widely used is because of the long length of action when most people just need a bit of a sedation for a procedure or two and not as a psychological therapeutic. Also I would imagine the lengthy withdrawal time would be an issue too for horses in competition. It's gotta be safer than injecting ace every day...eek!

Anonymous (Vet?): Can not recommend it due to serious, sometimes fatal extrapyrimidial effects. Reserpine much safer.

Anonymous Vet: Long acting sedative. I haven't personally used it, but have seen others use it safely. I have also treated a case of fluphenazine toxicity. The side effects are very dramatic and difficult to control. As stated previously they are extrapyrimidal side effects. The horse I treated literally looked like he was trying to do head stands. Literature indicates that anti-histamines can be useful in minimizing the side effects. In my n of 1 they were mildly helpful. Other recommendations I found included a CRI of pentobarb to basically sedate the horse until the drug levels decrease. In the case I saw the side effects lasted almost 1 week.

Anonymous: Hate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Death is also a side effect.

Wow ...  quite a few strong feelings about a drug intended for relaxation.  Margarita, anyone?

Val link
1/8/2012 03:45:34 am

I do not view your choice to sedate as nontraditional, although you explain that the choice of drug is controversial. I definitely wouldn't pay much attention to comments from Facebook. Probably should view our comments here the same way. ;)

I think that most people do want to help, whether they offer warnings, advice, anecdotes, or food for thought.

Karen
1/8/2012 07:56:18 am

Thanks, Val. I enjoy the exchange of ideas, but I do find the sharing of more benefit when it comes with some experience!

Karen

Kelly RGF link
1/8/2012 08:48:42 am

Hmmm. On one hand, I do understand why it would be an important issue to some people, but I think that really how you manage your horse is your own business. You have made a well reasoned-out decision and have your vet on board, so I don't think there's anything wrong with trying it.

In life you have to make changes to get a different result, right? Better the small risk of the unknown and potential in the name of progress than being over-cautious and stagnating.

I have no personal experience with Ace or Fluphenazine so I can't contribute anything on that front, but I offer my philosophical support.

Karen
1/8/2012 08:54:54 am

Thank you. That means a lot.

Most of the readers, and my acquaintances, have been generally supportive of the experiment, but a few of the comments (both online and in person) have been a bit snarky even though the commenter had no personal or professional experience.

If I don't KNOW something, I try to keep an open mind. If my experience is limited, I try to keep an open mind. And if I have a load of experience, I still try to keep an open mind as each situation is different!

Karen

Erica link
1/8/2012 09:34:36 am

Amen to keeping an open mind! I admire your bravery in keeping a diary of this somewhat "controversial" topic. I often cruise the web for first hand info on various things and I think you've done a great job of being informative as well as honest.

Karen
1/8/2012 09:52:49 am

Thanks, Erica. I actually got a phone call from a friend who said that in a barn she used, the vet came regularly to administer Fluphenazine to many of the horses. She saw many horses using the drug without any side effects at all. The more we know ...

Erica link
1/9/2012 02:16:23 pm

Speaking of the more we know...I came across this earlier and figured I would share. I know you're not using Ace, but I thought it was an interesting read.

http://etd.auburn.edu/etd/bitstream/handle/10415/699/GRIFFITH_SAMANTHA_13.pdf?sequence=1

Erica link
1/9/2012 02:16:25 pm

Speaking of the more we know...I came across this earlier and figured I would share. I know you're not using Ace, but I thought it was an interesting read.

http://etd.auburn.edu/etd/bitstream/handle/10415/699/GRIFFITH_SAMANTHA_13.pdf?sequence=1

Karen
1/9/2012 09:22:10 pm

Thank you for sharing, Erica. I read her thesis, but I am not sure that her results support her conclusion,"Tranquilization makes the
horse more tractable without significantly affecting learning performance. Thus, it is a tool that may be utilized effectively by less skilled horse handlers on fractious horses to perform aversive procedures, e.g. trailer loading or clipping, while allowing the horse to learn to tolerate these procedures." I am not a research scientist so I am not sure her experiment was valid, but I do know that her conclusion wasn't based on her results.

It was an interesting read, however. I am not sure my situation fits within her study as I am not actually trying to teach anything. All I am hoping to achieve is that Sydney develops a positive attitude to being worked under saddle.

Thank you for being part of tis conversation. It's getting more interesting by the minute!

Karen


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.
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    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.
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    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.
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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
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    • 2020
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    • 2016
    • 2015
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    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
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