Equine Drug Regulations: Know the Facts, Know the Rules
by Jennifer Prince, An EquestrianMag Exclusive Article

Strict regulations exist involving the use of certain medications given to horses before and during competition. Despite these regulations, problems involving the use of performance enhancers and other forbidden medications still exist within the industry. Becoming aware of the restrictions and guidelines involving the use of medication for competing horses can help prevent your horse from being disqualified from competition.

The rules and regulations exist to not only protect the integrity of the competition from those who hope to seek an unfair advantage, but also to protect horses from potentially dangerous substances. The goal of any competition is to find the best equestrian competitor, whether the sport is racing, dressage, vaulting, show jumping or another. Being the best competitor involves hard work and training. Supplementing a horse with substances to enhance its performance creates a dishonest competition. Regulating the use of medication while participating in competition, helps maintain the integrity of the sport while protecting the horse from foreign substances that may have adverse effects on its health.

The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. (USEF) is one organization that works very hard to keep drugs out of competition. The organization established the Equine Drugs and Medications program in 1970 to help maintain the fairness of competition and protect the well being of the competitors. The Federation Drugs and Medication Rule is the set of guidelines competitors under this rule must follow in order to participate in competition.

If a breed or discipline competes under the rules of the USEF they have the choice to compete by the Therapeutic Substance Rule or the No Foreign Substance Rule. The Therapeutic Substance Rule allows the use of therapeutic medication for a legitimately diagnosed illness only. Some medicines that may be permitted under this rule include vitamins, minerals and some anti-inflammatory medications. This rule is more widely used than the No Foreign Substance Rule, which does not allow the use of any medication with the exception of a few therapeutic illnesses where treatment may be permitted. It is important to stay current with updates to the list of permissible and banned drugs before entering a competition, as changes could be made as new research becomes available.

A trainer or owner must be careful when administering natural medicines if they intend to enter their horse in competition. Several natural medicines are banned from use under these two rules. Valarian, Kava Kava, Chamomile, Comfrey, Lavender and Lemon Balm are only a few of the natural medicines that could be considered forbidden under the rules and regulations of competition. Some of the elements present in these plants could cause similar reactions as conventional medicines that are not permitted in competition, or even cause the horse’s blood or urine to test positive if screened. To avoid breaking the rules of competition, it is important to work closely with a veterinarian who is experienced and up to date with the rules of competition before giving your horse any medication, conventional or otherwise.

In addition to the restrictions concerning medications that are forbidden from competition, limitations concerning permitted medications also exist. Restrictions concerning the amount of medication given to the horse, the level of medication present in the horse’s system at the time of competition and time limits on administering medications prior to competition also deserve consideration. Restrictions also exist concerning the number of different medications given to the horse at once. One possible example of this is not allowing more than two NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) given to the horse at a time. And of course, medical documentation outlining the medications being administered as well as their therapeutic purpose may be required upon entering a competition.

Though in some cases there is deliberate intent to seek an unfair advantage over other competitors, this is not always the case when a horse tests positive for a forbidden medication. Many times a positive test is the result of either the lack of sufficient knowledge concerning the rules and regulations, or simply administering medication too soon before competition. Because the consequences are high for giving your horse forbidden medication prior to entering a competition, it is important to stay alert and informed about changes pertaining to the rules and regulations of any competition you enter.

Potential penalties for breaking the rules concerning the use of forbidden medication at competitions could include fines, disqualifications or suspension from competitions, to name a few. What could be a greater consequence to some is the potential damage to the reputation of the trainer or owner, since violations are published in EquestrianMagazine. Having a thorough understanding of the rules and regulations of competition could help keep your name off this list.

Unfortunately, the use of performance enhancing substances is a disturbing, yet real problem in equestrian sports. The rules that were created to control the use of substances that could affect a horse’s performance during competition were designed to maintain the integrity of competitions, prevent an unfair advantage by those who wish to compete in this manner, and to protect the well being of the horses competing. Understanding the rules, working with a veterinarian who is experienced in competitive events and following the strict guidelines of competition will help keep you out of the penalty box and participating in a fair competition.

Related Links:

• United States Equestrian Federation
• Horse Racing: Amid the Run for the Roses, a new race to curb drug use
• AHSA Regulations
• AQHA - Theraputic Medication Fact Sheet
• Equestrian Sport Drug Testing

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