We have used reserpine on a SSH gelding.  It was suggested to us when we were breaking him.  He was very nervous under saddle and had what I can only describe as an equine version of ADHD.  We gave 1cc per week for the first month and then maintained with 1cc per month after that.  It worked quite well for us and seems to help him concentrate on business.

RIDE ON!

I've used reserpine in the past.  We used it on my Arabian who had to be stalled for several weeks due to a hoof abcess.  He didn't appreciate being kept in his stall without a buddy next to him.  It didn't help him at all.  He was "nervous in the service" the whole time, which just made the healing process take longer.

If you need to take the edge off an animal you can do this with a feeding plan.  A low sugar/carb feed and not feeding the morning of a show can and has worked for years before "liquid trainers" existed.  I deal with shining examples of these methods, often.

Animals on drugs never act as well as truly trained sober animals in their prime.  If drugs were this trainer's path to greatness it shows his clients he's not worth their time and money.

Not all the "big" trainers are 100% honest, I'll be the first to admit when I recommend a trainer for someone out of my area I check their suspension history with all the large associations.  I wonder why more folks don't...  (I also recommend drug screening on horses once they've been at a new trainer for a month or so...I mean the works not just the short term drugs.  There are drugs now that can last for up to a month, so just because you don't see the needle doesn't mean your horse is clean.)

You made a good move away from this trainer and I hope you find one that can truly tap into your horses potential in a more honest professional manner.  On a positive note, you found out now before you and your daughter got caught and punished by the association.

I wasn't the original poster.  I just wondered what other's thought about our situation.  Our horse didn't need Ace, he was just new to my daughter and she was still figuring him out.  The trainer just thought it was the easy way out I guess.  We are new to horses and relied on our trainer for guidance.  But Ace didn't seem right to even a newbie like me.

We have found a wonderful trainer, who is retired from taking kids to congress and world.  We just show at the local shows. I still didn't think giving a horse drugs was what I wanted my daughter to learn.

hconley, even worse these drugs are not labeled for animal use.  There are no dosing guidelines for animals, which is why you won't find many vets using these drugs.  Google them and read about the side effects...

If your horse needs drugs to win then you need to find a better horse.

Wow, the rodeo world uses these drugs quite frequently I was informed. Barrel racers, ropers, bull doggers, etc... Rodeos don't test for drugs, so I guess they can get away with it. A horse we bought had been drugged with one of these drugs(unknown to us) and when it wore off we had a crazy horse on our hands.I have since learned a good bit about these drugs. I am not for them but know they are used more than yall seem to know

I have been on both sides of this issue.  I also test all animals prior to purchase...(I'm quite aware of the behind the barn/owners back things that happen to make so-so horses awesome and I'd rather ride a sober horse and not be suspended.)

What the rodeo world does has NOTHING to do with me and in light of your statement about the excessive drug use I couldn't be happier!  There is a reason that an ambulance has to be on the grounds...need I say more?

I'm sorry, I think to make a blanket statement like that without any proof to back it up is unfair.  I've been around the rodeo/roping world for many years.  I, personally, haven't seen drug use on rope horses at horse shows, rodeos or ropings.  I'm sure just as in other disciplines there are a few who do it.  But the guys who compete at PRCA Rodeos, for instance, are on great well trained horses who know their job.  Many of the rope horses compete well into their 20's, if they were burning them up on these drugs, the horses wouldn't last.

Just because one person does it doesn't mean everyone does it.  I know of a local reining trainer who gave my friend's horse Fluphenazaine without his consent.  Needless to say my friend was furious, and pulled the horse out of training.  Because this one trainer does it, does that mean it's widespread in the reining industry or everyone does it?  No

That is what bothered me so much about our trainer wanting to give our horse ACE at a show.  He wasn't a high strung horse at all, just was wanting to pass all of the other horses at the lope.  It was more my daughter needing to learn how to slow him down.  It was just a quick fix, and we found a new trainer.  By the way that trainer competes cutting horses and told us "everybody" does it to take the edge off. Also told us we needed to reconsider if we wanted our daughter to place at these shows.  (Which were local saddle club shows.)

  I just didn't see the point and didn't think my daughter was learning how to ride.  Also, the one time they used it, it didn't slow the horse down at all.  Now the new trainer has her handling him very well without drugs.  Just took time and practice and some wet saddle blankets...........