Drugs And Medication

The Fédération Equestre Internationale has enacted changes to the 2011 Equine Prohibited Substance list. The changes, which are pending approval by the FEI Bureau, will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2012. 

Three substances have been added to the Prohibited List. They are:

-Magnesium sulphate injections: used to calm horses when administered intravenously, can cause cardiac arrest in certain instances

-ACTH (adrenocortcotropic hormone): a powerful anti-inflammatory drug that, with overuse, can cause breakdown in a horse’s joints

Three horses were disqualified from competing in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sept. 4 for hypersensitivity. Romanov, ridden by Billy Twomey of Ireland, All Inclusive NRW ridden by Denis Lynch of Ireland, and Vancouver DML, ridden by Simon Delestre of France, were declared unfit to compete by the Fédération Equestre Internationale with the unanimous agreement of the thermography team and all veterinary and FEI officials.

The Fédération Equestre Internationale’s 2011 Equine Prohibited Substance List is in effect, as of April 4. The list will continue to show all substances added to or removed from the 2010 list and database until June 4.

The updated list, which was unanimously approved at the FEI General Assembly in Taipei last November, is accessible online.

The condition of Debbie Stephens’ grand prix jumper All Star was deteriorating rapidly in February of 2009. After a routine rhinopneumonitis vaccination, he showed severe neurological symptoms as a result of a virulent bacterial infection in his spinal cord.

“When it went downhill, it went downhill fast. He couldn’t move or eat or turn his head or lay down,” Stephens said.

The FEI General Assembly unanimously accepted the recommendations of the FEI List Group and approved the updated Equine Prohibited Substances List for the 2011 season. National federation delegates applauded spontaneously at the announcement of the vote.

The  Fédération Equestre Internationale has released an iPhone and Android application that will give those involved in horse sport faster and easier access to crucial information on prohibited substances.

Ever since the controversial Fédération Equestre Internationale General Assembly vote last November to legalize a number of formerly banned therapeutic substances, the FEI has been engaged in a lively debate over which drugs, particularly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, should be included on the Equine Prohibited Substances list.

FEI president HRH Princess Haya welcomed the Fédération Equestre Internationale initiative to hold a congress on Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, declaring it long overdue. She hailed it as the first real opportunity to bring together new science on NSAIDs since the FEI’s 1993 ban on their use.

The Fédération Equestre Internationale has updated the timetable for the FEI Global Congress On Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Usage And Medication In The Equine Athlete, to be held at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland from Aug. 16-17.

The updated timetable is available on the FEI's website.

Additionally, stakeholders such as organizers, athletes, sponsors or media, are invited to share their views and input regarding this debate with the FEI.

The Swiss Supreme Court has rejected an appeal filed by Tony Andre Hansen of Norway against his disqualification from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Hansen’s horse, Camiro, tested positive for the prohibited substance capsaicin during the Olympic Games, and Hansen was provisionally suspended on Aug. 21, 2008. Shortly after, a panel of the Fédération Equestre Internationale Tribunal heard the case and issued their final decision on Dec. 22, 2008. Hansen was suspended until Jan. 2, 2009, and was also disqualified from all placings with Camiro at the Games.