WHY THIS GUIDE?
This guide is written for the Athlete to help understand the key
provisions of the new Equine Anti-Doping and controlled Medication
regulations. Legal rules are technical and can be quite confusing for
the non-lawyer. But in order to create a regulation system that has
integrity, is legally sound, and will protect the Athlete’s rights, some
amount of legal complexity cannot be avoided. So this guide is for
you – no legal jargon or confusing concepts – just the explanations
that Athletes really need to know.
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
The name of this new system of regulations governing equine
doping and medication control is the “Equine Anti-Doping and
controlled Medication (“EADcM”) regulations”. We know it is
long and perhaps hard to remember, but we are really not trying
to make it confusing. The long name is necessary to accurately
explain what is in the regulations, since they include both the
rules on doping control and the rules on medication control. In the
EADcM regulations, anything prohibited in competition, no matter
how the substance is classified, is called a “Prohibited Substance”.
Doping substances, which have no place in equine sport are called
“Banned Substances,” while medication substances that are
commonly used in equine medicine but prohibited in competition,
are called “controlled Medication Substances”. An easy way to think
of these two groups is “Banned Substances” are “above the line”
and constitute doping while controlled Medication Substances
are “below the line” because they are commonly used in equine practice, even though they are prohibited in competition. Over
time the largest category of positive cases during competition have
usually been Medication Substances, so be careful. The EADcM
regulation book contains the Equine Anti-Doping (“EAD”) rules
as its first chapter, while the second chapter contains the Equine
controlled Medication (“EcM”) rules. So think of it as one rule book
with two parts, which together form the EADcM regulation system.
To recap :
EADCM Regulations : The entire regulation system including both
doping and medication control .
Prohibited Substances : Any substance that is not allowed in a
horse’s system during competition.
Banned Substances : Doping or “above the line” substances.
Controlled Medication Substances : Medication or “below the
line” substances.
As an Athlete, you have a responsibility to know, understand, and
follow the EADCM regulations. But you do not have to be a legal
expert to have this basic understanding. If you are the rider, driver,
or vaulter of the horse, then you are the Person responsible for
the horse that will be held accountable for an EADcM regulation
violation. This is true even if you are riding, driving, or vaulting a
borrowed horse ! Therefore, you need to be very careful about
who you trust to care for your horses and even more so who you
trust to treat your horses. In the case of a borrowed horse, you
should make sure you are comfortable with the horse’s treating
history before competing with it. In the regulations, if a member
of your support personnel does something that leads to an EADcM
regulation violation, that person may be held accountable, but so
will you. For example, if you rely on your veterinarian who tells you
that a substance can be used on your horse without violating any
rules, and later you find out that your horse has tested positive for
a Prohibited Substance, you will be in violation of the rules even
though you were relying on your veterinarian. Similarly, if a groom
who is working for you mistakenly gives one of your competition
horses medication intended for an ill horse and the competition
horse later tests positive, you will be in violation of the regulations
(and your groom may be also.)
WHAT IF I WOULd LIKE TO GIVE MY HORSE A CONTROLLED
MEDICATION BUT I STILL WANT TO COMPETE ?
If your horse needs medication and is scheduled to compete soon,
you must discuss the options with your treating/team veterinarian.
Different substances take different times to clear from the horse’s
system. If several drugs are used at the same time the detection
periods can often be unpredictable and longer. Your horse must be
“clean” at the time of competition to avoid violating the regulations.
If your horse was treated during transport to an event or close to
competition or you have any doubt as to whether a substance is
still present in the horse’s system, you must report this immediately
upon arrival at the show to the relevant Veterinary Official and
request permission to compete by arranging for your treating/
team veterinarian to complete and sign the appropriate Equine
Therapeutic Use Exemption (“ETUE”) which will be subject to review
by the appropriate Veterinary Official present prior to approval. Do
not expect that if you submit an ETUE, it will be automatically
accepted. If your horse needs veterinary assistance or treatment at
an event, your treating/team veterinarian must request permission
and approval from the Veterinary Official before administering the
medication. The appropriate ETUE must then be completed and
sent to the FEI. You should know that ETUEs are only available for
controlled Medication and not for Banned Substances.
WHAT IS THE "STRICT LIABILITY" PRINCIPLE
Under the EADcM regulations, the Person responsible is strictly
liable whenever a Prohibited Substance is found in a horse’s sample.
This means that it is a violation whether or not the Person responsible
intentionally or unintentionally, knowingly or unknowingly, used a
Prohibited Substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault. It is
also irrelevant whether the Prohibited Substance actually had a
performance-enhancing effect. It is very important therefore for the
Person responsible to understand not only what is prohibited, but
also what might potentially cause an inadvertent violation. Even
though this strict liability principle exists, the Person responsible
will always have the opportunity to explain why he or she is not
at fault and the circumstances surrounding what happened will
always be taken into consideration when determining sanction
(suspension and/or fine). But the strict liability principle means
that disqualification of the horse/rider combination for the Event in
which the horse tested positive is automatic even if you can prove,
and everyone agrees, that you were not at fault.
WHAT IS THE EQUINE PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE LIST
Most medicines and drugs are prohibited if detected in a horse at the
time of competition. This concept is based on the FEI’s philosophy
that a horse should compete on its own merits without any unfair
advantage that might follow the use of drugs. Therefore, the Equine
Prohibited Substances List (the “List”) identifies all of the substances
that are not allowed in competition and indicates whether they
will be treated as a Banned Substance or a controlled Medication
Substance. You should know that any substances that have the same
biological or chemical effect as a Prohibited Substance are similarly
prohibited, just as if they were already on the List, even if they are
not named. This is to prevent Athletes from administering to their
horses substances produced by pharmaceutical companies that are
practically identical to a Prohibited Substance, but with only one or
two atoms changed just to avoid violating the EADcM regulations.
It would not be fair to ignore substances like those because it would
encourage cheating and be unfair to the vast majority of Athletes
who compete fairly. New substances can be added to the List at any
time, but will not lead to an EADcM regulation violation until they
have been on the List for at least ninety (90) days.
IS THE FEI PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES LIST DIFFRENT FROM WHAT I WILL
NEED TO FOLLOW FOR NATIONAL COMPETITIONS?
With the introduction of these new EADcM regulations, the
same List will eventually apply for international and national
competitions. (Some National Federations are obligated to adopt the FEI List by January 2011, while others have until January 2012.
Please consult your own NF for clarification.) The hope and
expectation is that this will improve clarity and ease of competition
for Athletes.
WHAT IF I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE MY HORSE A CONTROLLED MEDICATION BUT I STILL WANT TO COMPETE?
If your horse needs medication and is scheduled to compete soon,
you must discuss the options with your treating/team veterinarian.
Different substances take different times to clear from the horse’s
system. If several drugs are used at the same time the detection
periods can often be unpredictable and longer. Your horse must be
“clean” at the time of competition to avoid violating the regulations.
If your horse was treated during transport to an event or close to
competition or you have any doubt as to whether a substance is
still present in the horse’s system, you must report this immediately
upon arrival at the show to the relevant Veterinary Official and
request permission to compete by arranging for your treating/
team veterinarian to complete and sign the appropriate Equine
Therapeutic Use Exemption (“ETUE”) which will be subject to review
by the appropriate Veterinary Official present prior to approval. Do
not expect that if you submit an ETUE, it will be automatically
accepted. If your horse needs veterinary assistance or treatment at
an event, your treating/team veterinarian must request permission
and approval from the Veterinary Official before administering the
medication. The appropriate ETUE must then be completed and
sent to the FEI. You should know that ETUEs are only available for
controlled Medication and not for Banned Substances.
WHAT IS "ELECTIVE TESTING"
Elective testing provides a system whereby your treating/team
veterinarian can request an FEI laboratory to test for certain
Prohibited Substances in the urine of a competition horse. The
substance(s) given to the horse that you would like it to be tested
for must be identified to the laboratory. Elective testing could
assist you in estimating how long a Prohibited Substance may be
detectable in your horse’s system following a course of treatment.
However, you must know that elective testing is only available for
urine, not for blood, and is at your own cost. Nonetheless, some
Prohibited Substances that do not show up in urine tests may be
found in a blood sample, and may therefore lead to a positive
test result even if the elective testing results do not detect any
Prohibited Substances. Further, the results of elective testing are
unofficial and for your reference only. To use this service, carefully
read the instructions and ask your treating/team veterinarian to
complete the application form available on the FEI website.
ARE ANY SUBSTANCE PERMITTED DURING COMPITITION
There is no list of permitted substances, only what is prohibited.
The FEI has always allowed certain substances during competition
that will not lead to a violation if detected in a horse’s bodily
sample taken in competition. However, there are certain rules
specific to the various disciplines so please be aware of any special
rules imposed by your particular sport. Please also remember that
injectables especially may not be administered in competition
without ETUE Form 3, which must be approved and completed by a treating veterinarian and countersigned by the relevant Veterinary
Official present at the event. If you are granted permission under
ETUE Form 3 to use an injectable, the administration may require
oversight or stewarding by the Veterinary Delegate or his or her
Designee. Treating/team Veterinarians will be required to consult
with the Veterinary Delegate on whether oversight is required.
To help you understand, below are general and specific examples
of what is not prohibited in competition :
1) Antibiotics. Note : all except procaine penicillin G.
2) Antiprotozoals. Specific brand names include Marquis
and Navigator.
3) Antiulcer medications. Specific generic names include
Omeprazole, ranitidine, cimetidine and sucralfate.
4) Insect repellents
5) Antihelmintics. Except Levamisole or Tetramisole.
6) rehydration fluid intravenously, minimum 10 litres. Fluids are
not allowed to be administered to horses in the Eventing
discipline on the morning or afternoon prior to their start on
cross-country.
7) B-vitamins, amino acids and electrolytes. These have always
been allowed orally and in many cases this is still the preferred
route of administration. However, in some circumstances a veterinarian may prefer to administer them intravenously or
intramuscularly. If your veterinarian does want to administer
them through an injectable, the procedure above must be
followed.
8) Altrenogest (regumate). This is permitted in mares only so long
as ETUE form 2 is properly submitted. Please be forewarned
that it is considered a Banned Substance in geldings and
stallions.
9) All topical wound ointments that do not contain a corticosteroid,
local anesthetic or irritant (such as capsaicin) or other Prohibited
Substances.
10) Preventative or restorative joint therapies. Many of these
products in the oral form (chondroitin, glucosamine, etc)
have always been allowed orally and in many cases this is
the preferred route of administration. However, in some
circumstances a veterinarian may prefer to administer joint
restorative therapy intravenously or intramuscularly. Specific
examples of the medications used in this matter are Legend
or Hyonate intravenously, Adequan intramuscularly or
Pentosan polysulfate intramuscularly. Note : No intra-articular
administration of any medications in allowed whilst under
FEI rules.
WHEN CAN MY HORSE BE TESTED
Your horse can be tested anytime in competition from one (1) hour
before the beginning of the first horse inspection and terminating
half an hour after the announcement of the final results of the last
competition at the Event. This might be modified somewhat with
the Olympic and Paralympic Games (together referred to herein
as “OG”) given their unique schedules. While there is no Outof-competition testing programme, specific horses may be tested
out-of-competition when there is an intelligence-based reason for
the test.
WHY WAS MY HORSE SELECTED FOR TESTING
Most winning horses are tested routinely and others are selected at
random. A horse may also be chosen if the Ground Jury is concerned
about the horse’s performance. If your horse is selected for testing,
a steward or the testing official will inform you, usually as you are
leaving the competition area. If your horse is selected for testing, you
must promptly comply and follow the instructions of the steward or
testing official. He or she will accompany the horse to the collecting
stables and remain with it until the sample has been collected.
You must also stay with the horse or arrange for a groom or other
appropriate representative to be present throughout the whole
procedure. Minors must be accompanied by their representative,
who must be over 18 years of age.
WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS DURING TESTING
You have a right to observe the process and to make any complaints
or objections if they are warranted. You or your representative will
be given a form to sign after the Testing Veterinarian completes the
process. If you have any complaints or concerns, you should record
them on the form and the Testing Veterinarian will give you a copy
of the form. If the sample from your horse later tests positive for a
Prohibited Substance, that form with your concerns may become
an important part of the case. Many Athletes delegate the duty for
horse testing to their grooms or other representatives. Please be
aware that the taking of the sample is an important part of the AntiDoping and Medication control procedure. Only the person who is
there to witness will be able to testify later about the procedures and
whether they were conducted according to the rules. So if you send
your groom or another representative, you will be relying entirely on
that groom or representative to explain what transpired if your horse
tests positive for a Prohibited Substance. Testing is an important part
of your obligation as an Athlete and testing positive can have serious
consequences. You are therefore encouraged to be present for the
testing whenever possible.
WHAT SAMPLES ARE COLLECTED FROM THE HORSE
Usually urine and blood are collected under the direct supervision of
an FEI testing official. Generally, the Testing Veterinarian will give the
horse one (1) hour to urinate and, if a urine sample is not produced in
that timeframe, will take only the blood sample. Each sample is split
into two parts, known as A and B Samples. Sometimes other samples may be taken such as leg bandages, hair or swabs. All samples will be
carefully collected, labeled and packed, and you or your representative
will be asked to sign that the procedure has been witnessed and that
you do not have any complaints or concerns about the process. If you
do have any complaints or concerns about the process, you should
make sure to note them on the form and to keep the copy of the form
for your records. The samples will be sealed and the package sent to
an FEI laboratory with only a unique number to eventually identify
which horse the samples came from once the results are finalized.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY HORSE'S SAMPLES IF THEY ARE NEGATIVE FOR PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE
If the sample is negative, it will be disposed of within three (3) months’
time according to the Laboratory’s standard procedures. However, if the
sample was taken at the OG or the World Equestrian Games (“WEG”),
it may be preserved for up to eight (8) years. If OG or WEG samples
are tested after those Events, the Person responsible would be held
accountable for a positive test only if the Prohibited Substance detected
was prohibited at the time the sample was taken from the horse.
The reason these samples are kept is the importance of maintaining
the integrity of the OG and WEG. If the FEI later learns through
intelligence that an Athlete may have violated the regulations, the FEI
needs to be able to go back and test the relevant sample to determine
whether that intelligence is accurate. This protects our highest
levels of equestrian competition and ensures that you – the Athlete
competing on a horse free of Prohibited Substances – are getting a fair
and level playing field at the pinnacle of your career.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY HORSE TESTS POSITIVE FOR A PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE
If your horse tests positive for a Prohibited Substance, the FEI
will receive the sample information anonymously from the FEI
Laboratory and conduct an investigation to ensure the integrity
of the positive test. Specifically, the FEI will look into whether any
medication forms were filed for that horse at the competition as well
as whether the Veterinary regulations and Laboratory procedures
were properly followed. If the FEI does discover something that
was not done exactly right, they will then look to see whether that
mistake actually caused the sample to test positive. If it did not,
and the sample would have tested positive anyway, the FEI may still
proceed with the case.