Debate on the Use of Depo-Provera in Horse Shows
Varied opinions exist on the use of Depo-Provera in horse shows, with some advocating for its safety and effectiveness in managing horse behavior and reproductive issues, while others question its impact on competition fairness. Trainers and veterinarians share their perspectives, highlighting the need for further research and consideration of horse welfare in the debate over banning Depo-Provera as a performance-enhancing substance.
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Is Depo Doping? Membership and Veterinarian Consensus is No. Yes No Yes No 2% 1% 1% 98% 99% Do you believe Depo-Provera makes horse shows more safe? Should Depo-Provera be a banned substance? Sissy Wickes Trainer, Owner, USEF R Judge, USHJA Board of Directors, Editor-in-Chief of The Plaid Horse Magazine
Depo-Provera Our goal is horsemanship how can our horses have the best care and be the most content while performing their jobs We all agree on clean sport is Depo-Provera a hormonal balance or it is drugging The USOC does not consider Depo-Provera of female athletes to be doping or differentiate medals between those on and off of it. If they don t consider a competitive advantage, why do we? Are rat studies applicable to equines? What studies have been done to show correlation? What is rationale behind not doing a peer-reviewed statistically significant equine study? Are human studies applicable to equines? If they are, we are not worried about Depo-Provera use in humans. If they re not, we have no data to say that Depo-Provera has any harmful effects.
I have used Depo Provera for over 30 years and have never had a problem with it. It is safe and effective. I have no idea why US Equestrian is going after it. They should come and see my retired 30 year old horse who showed on it his entire career. He is as healthy as any horse on my farm. - Patti Harnois, Trainer at Holly Hill Farm, veteran of 40 years in the industry I see it used in a lot of horses and have never seen a negative or harmful side effect. Why are they going after Depo-Provera? Dexamethasone is a whole lot worse. - Dr. Ricki Brozman, DVM
I have used Medroxyprogesterone over the years on mares to keep them from coming into season, on stallions or recently gelded horses to control aggression and their urge to reproduce, and other horses that I have difficulty with but cannot lunge or turn out for various reasons. I have found that some horses after administered Medroxyprogesterone they seem less bothered by spooky situations and seem more settled with their everyday life as a show horse. This allows me to limit the time lunging and prep riding, so less wear and tear on the horse. Also the time lunging is more controlled, so less of a chance of an injury or re-injury. The use of depo is one of the least harmful things we as horse managers, owners, trainers can use to help the horse adapt, adjust, cope with the environment we ask them to live in as show horses. I would think that should play an important part in horse welfare. - Shannon Bejarno, Hunter/Jumper Trainer for over 30 years - Jennifer Bauersachs, Hunter Trainer for over 30 years
I strongly believe that banning Depo will be a huge safety concern. - Denise Finch, Hunter & Jumper Trainer, Hunter's Edge, Las Vegas, NV
It appears as though US Equestrian is very focused on removing and restricting drugs commonly used by veterinarians in sport horse medicine. The most recent drug being targeted is medroxyprogesterone. It is unclear to me where the research is that supports this medication having a sedative effect. I also find it interesting that we are exceptionally concerned about its use in show horses, but we are not concerned about its use in women. I am failing to see the thought process involved in the revocation of this medication. - Dr. Hope Batchelor, DVM
As a veterinarian, I have prescribed Medroxyprogesterone acetate for patients. I have prescribed it for geldings, stallions and mares. In my practice, I have encountered some mares who continue to cycle and ovulate despite treatment with Regumate (Altrenogest). I have been able to better prevent ovulation in these mares by using Medroxyprogesterone alone or, in extreme cases, in combination with Regumate. The USEF is also considering banning the use of both Depo and any forms of Regumate or related hormones in both stallions and geldings. THERE IS NO LOGICAL JUSTIFICATION FOR THIS PROPOSAL. Let me explain my reasoning on this matter. Surgical castration is not only allowed in competition animals, but actually required in most cases where the horse will be shown or handled by a junior exhibitor. The administration of Depo or Regumate is basically a form of chemical castration, and one that has been shown to be highly effective, at least in humans. If the association allows surgical castration, what possible logic could there be behind disallowing chemical castration? - Dr. Kimberly K. Bordeleau, DVM - Heather Tinney
Having dealt with a significant adverse reaction to medroxy, I have a little bit of mixed feelings about the drug. I have come to think the adverse reactions we were seeing last year were a compounding issue, not a drug specific issue. This is a risk we take with all compounded medications. However, I do believe the drug has a valid use in certain situations. While I think the medication is overused, I believe the alternatives that will inevitably be used to achieve the desired result if medroxy is banned are of greater risk to the horse and riders than medroxy. There will certainly be an increase in injuries due to horses spending more time on the lunge or being given more dangerous medications (ex. IV magnesium) - Dr. Reanna Stahl, DVM
Depo Provera is not sedating horses. In all of the years that I have dispensed medroxy, I have not had an adverse reaction. I do not believe that it poses a safety risk or creates a long term health risk to horses. I have used it in mares and have observed its effect in suppressing estrous. Morally, I am on the fence about it. Of all of the drugs we give horses, this is at least a hormone. I am also weary of it because I was one of the vets that had a horse die after an injection. I believe it was the compounding issue, but it sill scares me. After the deaths, my clients became scared and didn t want to use it, but struggled to find a way to help relax their horse. Thus, I have clients that returned to using it and say it s the best thing they have. If they give only one drug to calm vs. God only knows what other drugs or training devices (i.e. lunging to death) maybe it s not a bad choice. - Dr. Amy Rabanal, VMD I have used it for controlling difficult mareish behavior without any negative consequence. I feel it is a safe method for controlling mareish behavior. I have given it to many geldings without incidence. And, my impression is that it helps to maintain an even temperament which is good for some beginners who need an even keeled horse and can t handle any mood swings. - Dr. Laura Stokes Greene, DVM My beef with MPA is horses have died from it given IM and given properly. Also, it is compounded. I don t have a problem with it being used to take the spook out of a horse. I feel they are safe for riding. I also feel they don t need as much lunging- a benefit. Dr. Jaimie Horner, DVM - Dr. Meg Mullins, DVM
Regumate is not the answer. - Dangerous to oral regumate handle and residue in buckets - Dangerous to dispense from regumate gun - Injectable much more expensive than Depo-Provera
Banning Depo-Provera Makes the Sport Less Accessible - Horses with hormone imbalances are less likely to be able to be taken care of in someone s backyard or generally handled by junior or amateur - Becoming a sport where only people who can afford professional grooms can participate greatly diminishes number of people fiscally eligible to compete - Becoming more dangerous and having a higher financial barrier of entry to the sport is not the answer
Research, Not Rules. It's time for a cultural change.
MEMBERS Yes No We polled 100 US Equestrian Members: Should Depo- Provera be a banned substance? 1% 99%
MEMBERS Yes No We polled 100 US Equestrian Members: 2% Do you believe Depo- Provera makes horse shows more safe? * Now is time for US Equestrian to conduct data gathering of where bulk of membership stands on this issues with a scientific statistical survey of 100,000 data points - 80,000+ members and 20,000+ non-members submitted for peer review 98%
This is a call for data and transparency. Please send out to the entire membership the findings of today because many people are at work and can t watch. Please email to the entire membership data from pulling blood of show horses. Please email the entire membership that debates like these are even up for discussion before they re told to us as a done deal at AAEP. What is going on with this sport? Don t leave us in the dark, uncertain about the future, and inherently defensive and adversarial. How do we work together to make it better? Everyone has the same goals. The membership is thrilled, excited, and ready to contribute in bringing this sport into a safer future.
We Do Not Support the Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Ban Chelsea Jones Katie Barnes Tracy Sanders Chelsea James Eva Menlo Eva Speaker Jessica Sanders Sienna Gustafson Mark Bone Ella Baltus Isabelle Feinstein Estelle Kraft Olivia Schrager Melinda Zalesky Ingrid Matthiessen Lauren Farmer Wendy Brayman Djuna Stein 5308068 Elise Eriksen 5386344 Elissa Markowitz 5130622 Eliza Bird 5029970 Emily Beutner 5341906 Leigh-Ann Wager-Kazolas Kelly Hudyman Wendy Lani Deanna Sage Melissa Summer Connie Farmer 5350658 Morgan Bullock 4932627 Irene Powlick 5310716 Jenna Zimmerman 5224964 Alexandra Markowitz 5130623 Ashley Kaplan 203587 Balmoral 254665 Claire Van Konyenburg 4885530 Grace Prochilo 5118938 Hannah Elperin 5442529 Kaitlyn Van Konyenburg 5006816 Sofia Baiker 5263555 Tamara Mellon 5286980 Teddi Pritzker 5291596 Teton Farm 5152633 Kayla Payvar 5367761 Kyra Russell 5224979 Lexi Wedemeyer 4769114 Maci Anderson 5267766 Minty Mellon 5200523 Peyton Hansen 5164696 Roaring Fork Farm LLC 5360579 Roxy Sorkin 5164696 Sadie Anderson 5276562 Andie Aviv Samantha Nonda Kristina Lake Monica Ward Kathleen Fitzpatrick Elizabeth Sponseller Sable Fetty Katie Cook Katie Aviv Richard Sousa Meghan Carney Chelsea Jones Mariana Vail Katie Barnes Kit Menis Jennifer Rubin Paige Linn Mario Soto Nancy Halvey Michele Lambert-Lewis Leigh-Ann Gue Glenda Monkarsh Sanjay Bagai Mary Constantini Jennifer Ayres Dana Panella Angela Brescia Kelsey Benson Val Staniloff Lynsey Whitacre Stephanie Roloff Carolyn Williams Margot Hirsch Bethany Unwin Hannah Isop Stephanie Gallihugh Bella Peyser Eva Speaker Elizabeth Kelley Jessica Sanders Sienna Gustafson Allie Fox Meredith Herman Elizabeth Sconzo Elizabeth Lampert Dr. Jill Hechtman, MD Hailey Livingston Gabrielle Roderick Hunter Messineo Savannah Strome 5341905 Selma Eriksen 5386348 Dr. Kim Bordeleau, DVM 195672 Dr. Hope Batchelor, DVM Kelly Van Vleck Judy Nilson Heatherley Davis Jennifer Bauersachs Sanjay Bagai Teri Knowlton Denise Finch 4870758 Dawn Mazzaccaro 163410 Emily Elek-Burtard 180237 Rebecca Effron 4568945 Elizabeth Davoll 5442677 Linda Evans Jennifer Taylor 174155 Dr. Stefanie Mazer, Psy.D. Alexandra Block 5263552 John Bragg Lauren Farmer Shannon Bejarno Ned Glynn Karen Trione Karen Rice Anette Clear Kylee Arbuckle Sally Stith-Burdette Kristy Miller Nada Wise Michelle Decker Rumanes Fred Bauer Denice De Risio Perry Jamie Kuprick Brooke Morin Karen Perlow Sarah Young Jennifer Ayres Jenny Karazissis 053576 Kost Karazissis Karen Healey Leslie Steele 122638 Hope Glynn 145633 Carleton Brooks 30255 Traci Brooks 163122 Michelle Rodal 249078 Georgy Maskrey-Segesman Randy Durand Tasha Visokay 147663 Terry Stephens 121776 Kate Considine Laura Strasburg Patti Harnois Mary Morrison Dr. Piper Klemm, Ph.D.
The membership should not feel like they are in an adversarial with the very people they are paying to help them govern the sport. The majority of US Equestrian members when they look at the Board of Directors, the President, the CEO, the in house counsel - they don t feel like they re on our team. US Equestrian says, if you don t agree with us, it s your fault. But in reality, if we all feel that way, it is US Equestrian s fault.
