FEI unanimously approves 2011 Equine Prohibited Substances List

The FEI General Assembly has 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 List was put forward by the FEI List Group following a year of consultation with National Federations and experts, and after the highly successful Congress on the use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in the equine athlete hosted by the FEI in Lausanne, Switzerland in August.

The 2011 List respects horse welfare and ensures a level playing field.

The List does not allow the use of NSAIDs in competition. However it was agreed that the FEI should provide a greater level of guidance regarding the detection times for the post-event usage of certain NSAIDs, specifically Phenylbutazone and Flunixin, in commonly used low dosages.

Similarly, the 2011 Equine Prohibited Substances List does not permit the use of salicylic acid at events, but raises the current threshold level to harmonise it with that of other international regulators. The FEI has always had a threshold level for salicylic acid, but has now simply revised this to align with racing authorities. This is the same level as was previously in place for the FEI, as the slightly lower level was inconsistent with that used by other regulatory bodies.

List Group Chair John McEwen had highlighted in the List Group Report that there must always be a balance between required rest and medication, ensuring that there is a good approach to management and training, rather than relying on medication to effect a recovery.