FEI Considers Allowing Bute and Other NSAIDs at Competitions

At the ongoing International Equestrian Federation (FEI) meetings in Copenhagen, Denmark, the FEI is in turmoil over two substance control policies; a zero-tolerance policy, and a recently proposed policy that allows low amounts of non-steroidal anti-inflamatories, such as Bute to be present in the horse's blood at the time of competition. One delegate stated “[the low-amounts policy] is completely unacceptable for horse welfare, and changed the whole philosophy of the FEI.”

On the other hand, some people are concerned that zero-tolerance ignores the possibility of environmental contamination and other improbable but possible circumstances.