USEF Drugs and Medication Rule Changes Effective Dec. 1

November 08 2011

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is reminding members and competitors of the rule changes surrounding drugs and medications in competition horses.

The new competition year begins December 2011. With all of these important rule changes taking effect, the USEF encourages every exhibitor, trainer, coach, and owner to take the time, prior to competing, to carefully review the "Guidelines for How Long Drugs Remain Detectable" which can be accessed online or by calling 800/633-2472 to request a copy of the 2012 USEF Drugs & Medications Guidelines.

Administration of NSAIDs

Motivated by its commitment to the welfare of the horse, the USEF Board of Directors voted to amend its therapeutic drug rule and restrict use to a single non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) beginning Dec. 1, 2011. Both the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Veterinary Medical Association supported the rule change, and USEF now joins other organizations including the American Quarter Horse Association and Equine Canada in implementing this rule change.

Beginning Dec. 1, 2011, only one of the seven approved NSAIDs listed in the USEF Rule GR 410.4 will be permitted to be present in the same plasma or urine sample. Revisions have been made regarding detection times of some of the therapeutic drugs used on competition horses.

Most notably, the detection time for the seven NSAIDs currently approved for use with quantitative restrictions, has been reduced from seven days to three days, when administered according to the dose and time recommendations found on pages 12-14 of the 2012 Guidelines for Drugs & Medications.

Emergency Use of Flunixin

Following the move to allow only one NSAID to be present in the same plasma or urine sample of a horse in competition, and acting on the USEF Veterinary Committee's recommendation, the USEF Board of Directors approved a rule provision allowing for the emergency administration of flunixin by a veterinarian to treat colic or an ophthalmic emergency. Filing a USEF Medication Report Form is required if an NSAID listed in GR410 (a) through (g), other than flunixin, has been administered to the horse within the three days prior.

It will additionally require that the Medication Report Form be signed by the veterinarian who administered the flunixin and the same medication report should document a 24-hour withdrawal from competition following administration. It is important to note that compliance with this rule is dependent upon the flunixin being administered by a licensed veterinarian following a physical exam.

Anabolic Steroids Re-Classified as Forbidden Substance

Also effective Dec. 1, 2011, anabolic steroids will be considered a forbidden substance under the USEF therapeutic drug rule. No anabolic steroid is to be administered to a horse or pony in the time before competition such that it, or any metabolite of it, might be present in the animal, or might be detectable in its blood or urine sample at the time of competition. This means that, if anabolic steroids are administered and/or any surgical implants are removed, the administration and/or procedure occurs sufficiently in advance of competing to ensure these substances are not present in the blood or urine at the time of competition.

To comply with this new change, it is important to review "How Long Drugs Remain Detectable" on page 15 and 16 of the 2012 USEF Drugs & Medications Guidelines.

FEI Banned Substances

Understanding Equine Medications is your A-Z guide to learning more about generic and brand-name pharmaceuticals, possible side effects and precautions, and proper dosage.

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Clean Sport initiative inspired changes to USEF GR 409, which affect the rules governing FEI discipline competition at USEF licensed competitions. It is important to carefully review the FEI rules at this link and the FEI Forbidden Substance list.

Please pay special attention to the FEI listing of banned substances. While alleged violations of USEF GR 409 will still be heard by the USEF, sanctions potentially imposed for violation could result in assessment of a $15,000 fine and a two-year suspension (consistent with FEI Sanctions).

Be particularly cautious with respect to the use of medicinal preparations, tonics, pastes, and products of any kind (even those labeled "natural," "herbal," or "holistic," as the ingredients and their quantitative analysis are not specifically known. Many contain one or more banned substances under the FEI rules. There are therapeutic exceptions, however, which allow for the use of anti-infectious substances and the anti-ulcer medications ranitidine and omeprazole. It is important to note that these anti-ulcer medications are forbidden in endurance rides governed by American Endurance Ride Conference.