The new doping rules of the FEI have been harshly criticized by renowned veterinarians around the world. In a letter to the FEI president  Haya bint al Hussein they expressed their concerns and condemned the decision to allow medication in competing horses. This had been confirmed by Gerit Mattheson, member of the FEI-Veterinary Committee.

Here is some background information on this subject:

On 13 November it was stated by the FEI that members would get a choice between the ‘progressive list’ and a list called the ’20 October list’.

During one of the last work shops of the FEI Meeting in Copenhagen the members were asked to vote on ‘progressive list’ and ‘current list’, but the ‘current list’ was very different from the list of 20 October. At that moment a lot of the members had already left the assembly to return home.

It is a fact that due to confusing lists of pharmaceuticals a considerable number of the members were not absolutely clear on what they were voting for. Several national federations such as the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) asked the FEI for a revote. But FEI president Princess Haya refused to allow a re-vote.

The actual rule allows for a small single dose of one of three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) up to 24 hours before competition. This means low levels of dichloreacetate (lactanase), isoxsuprine (vasodilator), acetycysteine (mucolytic) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSDAIs) Phenylbutazone or bute, Salicyclic acid or aspirin and Flunixin. According to senior vets around the world this decision will have  serious and negative effects on welfare and profound repercussions for equestrian sports. Furthermore, it will lead to the abuse of horses in competition that are unfit to compete. The horses will suffer from catastrophic injuries.

Another aspect is the fact that national federations would have to adopt NSAIDs in their home countries. And there are many countries which have stricter rules than the FEI is proposing.

A great number of federations name this new rule as a backward step for the development of equine sports that does not correspond with the FEI’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy on drugs in sport. At any rate it has provoked an outrage throughout the horse world.