As you may have heard, Germany was recently in a difficult position, accused of equine doping. They lost their team silver medal again at the European Eventing Championships last August.

The reason: Samurai du Thot, the horse of Julia Krajewski - member of the German team - tested positive for Firocoxib.

A second sample was also tested and the German Equestrian Federation has just confirmed the news; Julia and her horse are disqualified from the European Championships, forcing Germany to return its silver medal.

In passing, this case is not unlike those of Maxime Livio. He was unjustly sanctioned, according to him, with two suspensions following doping cases two years ago. In particular the one at the WEG which cost the French Eventing Team its initial qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Disturbed by this news, Julia communicated on social networks her sadness towards her team. But also her incomprehension on how her horse could have ingested this substance. Despite this unfortunate event, the rider was keen to point out the importance of the anti-doping measures put in place by the FEI, which she fully supports.

1. FEI measures

The FEI has set up two anti-doping programs: one for humans (which follows the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency) and one for horses. For horses, the list of substances banned by the FEI is divided into two categories. Prohibited substances and controlled drugs are treated differently. The second category includes substances used in medicine - and therefore prescribed by a veterinarian - but which the FEI does not authorize in competition. In the case of Samurai du Thot, this category applies. Firocoxib is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, like Phenylbutazone (bute) for example. To name but one, Acetominophen (paracetamol) is a prohibited substance.

Permitted substances include most antibiotics and antiparasitics, as well as vaccines. To avoid problems, competition riders and their entourage should be aware of this list and the regulations.

"Always be fully aware of what you are administering to a horse and when you are doing it" - FEI

In some cases, but only with the agreement of the FEI Official Veterinarian, it may be possible to administer medication to a horse before or during a competition. In the case of a doping test, the procedure is always the same. The rider (and potentially his team) may face sanctions, such as a fine and/or a period of suspension. In addition, as we have seen in the German case, the rider's results and placings for the competition in question are cancelled.

Equestrian sport is said to be the 10th sport in terms of doping-related sanctions (1). Although doping is mainly talked about in the world of racing or endurance, it is a reality that affects all disciplines. Today, tests are more and more frequent for equestrian sports as the level of competition increases, and they are systematic for high level and horse racing. Furthermore, these horses are likely to be tested throughout their career, whether they are in competition/racing or not.

2. Good habits to develop

The FEI warns riders that " the use of dietary supplements, herbal medicines or similar products on a horse is at the athlete's own risk. The utmost caution is recommended.

Before giving your horse any medication, it is important that you know exactly what effect it will have. It is wise not to self-medicate and always rely on veterinary advice, especially for sport horses. It is also advisable to store products in a safe place, to observe hygiene rules (use gloves, a new syringe, etc.) and to keep a record of prescribed medication.

At a show, and especially at high level competitions, use your own equipment, and always keep an eye on your horse if possible, to limit the risk of him ingesting something questionable.

Finally, always choose your horse's feed carefully. Take quality feed, checking the composition of the feed, and store it in a safe, closed area to avoid contact with unwanted substances. This is particularly important for supplements, which are not always scientifically tested. Also beware of misleading advertisements or "natural product" labels, which do not guarantee the safety of the product.

Find here the 2017 FEI list of prohibited substances for horses.

See you soon for a new article,

The Seaverteam

(1) Le Monde (2016), "Doping and anti-doping in sports competitions, instructions for use".