The FEI Bureau has approved changes to the FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List proposed by the FEI List Group. The new List became effective on January 1, 2014.
Protecting horse health and promoting clean competition
The intention of the FEI Prohibited Substance List is to ensure that the performance of horses competing under the FEI Rules is not enhanced by Prohibited Substances, and to ensure fair play in competition and to maintain the welfare of the horse.
The intention of the FEI Prohibited Substance List is to ensure that the performance of horses competing under the FEI Rules is not enhanced by Prohibited Substances, and consequently, to ensure fair play in competition and to maintain the welfare of the horse.
The Prohibited Substances list is comprehensive and detailed. It allows athletes and their advisors to clearly identify substances they might normally use out of competition which however, are not allowed while competing, referred to as Controlled Medication Substances.
It also helps to identify the substances which are not permitted for use in horses at all times, referred to as Banned Substances. It should also be highlighted that any other substance with a similar chemical structure or similar biological effect(s) than the substances present on the list are also considered as pertaining to the list. Riders should therefore work closely with their veterinarians when administering any substances.
The concept of one detailed List mirrors the approach taken by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) with regard to human athletes. We recommend you review this section of the FEI website regularly for changes in the Prohibited Substances List. For your information, after any change, a notice period is given before it comes into effect. After this period, sanctions for positive detections will be applied
The changes are summarized here and below:
Two new Controlled Medication substances have been added to the List for 2014:
- Metformin - a potent but legitimate oral anti-diabetic drug with a potential welfare risk;
- Levothyroxine - an exogenous thyroid hormone replacement that could enhance performance;
- Adrenocortico-trophic hormone (ACTH)is currently classified as a Banned Substance and will be moved to the Controlled Medication section of the 2014 List due to its therapeutic value in equine medicine.
Three previously unlisted substanceswill be added to the Banned Substances section of the 2014 List, as they are considered to have a potential for abuse, or to improve athletic performance:
- Ammonium Chloride injectable
- Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL)
- Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
The changes to the FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List are also accessible on the FEI Clean Sport webpage. The FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database has been amended and the complete 2014 Equine Prohibited Substances List is available on the Clean Sport website.