Understanding ACP

When ACP may be of use

• Clipping and trimming
• Pulling manes and tails
• Shoeing
• Minor dental procedures
• Loading and travelling
• Enforced box rest
• Turnout or exercise following box rest
• The covering of uncooperative mares
• Handling wild or fractious horses

Veterinary uses of ACP

• Prior to a general anaesthetic (shown to reduce anaesthetic deaths)
• Laminitis
• To drop the penis for swabbing or clinical assessment
• Choke
• Tetanus

Undesirable side effects of ACP

• Drop in blood pressure (hypotension) but may help laminitis cases
• Inhibition of temperature regulation
• Changes in the blood cell count
• Disturbances in fertility
• Paralysis of the retractor penis muscle (leading to possible penile prolapse and associated problems)
• Accidental injection into the artery instead of the vein, leading to possible disorientation, convulsions and death

For more information about the benefits and suitable uses of ACP, see Horse & Hound (28 February, ’08)