Dressage-News

LEXINGTON, Kentucky, Nov. 26, 2013–A new U.S. Equestrian Federation category of rules named Prohibited Practices, including a so-called “12 Hour Rule” banning injections within 12 hours of competition comes ito effect on Sunday, Dec. 1.

The new Prohibited Practices include:

–No injectable substances may be administered to any horse or pony within 12 hours prior to competing, except:

a. Therapeutic fluids, which amount must consist of a minimum of 10 liters of polyionic fluids, and which must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and guidelines. The fluids must not be supplemented with concentrated electrolytes, such as magnesium;

b. Antibiotics. Procaine penicillin G is prohibited under this exception, and

c. Dexamethasone. This is permitted only for the treatment of acute urticaria (hives). The dose must not exceed 0.5 mg per 100 pounds (5.0 mg for a 1,000-pound horse) if administered more than six (6) hours and less than 12 hours prior to entering the competition ring, and must not exceed 1.0 mg per 100 pounds (10.0 mg for 1,000-pound horse) within any 24-hour period.

The exceptions are permitted only when the substance is administered by a licensed synthroidnews.net and no less than six hours prior to competing; and the “Trainer” properly files an Equine Drugs and Medications Report Form with the Steward/Technical Delegate or competition office representative within one hour after administration of the substance or one hour after the Steward/Technical Delegate or competition office representative returns to duty if the administration occurs at a time outside competition hours. The Steward/Technical Delegate or competition office representative shall sign and record the time of receipt on the Equine Drugs and Medications Report Form.

The three restricted medications that are affected by this change are:

–Dexamethasone (Azium®) – the maximum 24-hour dose has been decreased from 20mg for a 1,000-pound horse to 10mg for a 1,000-pound horse and must be administered in accordance with the new “12 Hour Rule.” GR414;

–Ketoprofen (Ketofen®) – the maximum 24-hour dose of 1.0 gram for a 1,000-pound horse remains the same but must be administered no later than 12 hours prior to competition, and

–Methocarbamol (Robaxin®) – maximum 24-hour dose of 5.0 grams for a 1,000-pound horse remains the same but must be administered no later than 12 hours prior to competition.

Changes are also being made to the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) Equine Prohibited Substances list that become effective Jan. 1.

The changes include the addition of Controlled Medication substances of:

–Metformin – a potent but legitimate oral anti-diabetic drug with a potential welfare risk;

–Levothyroxine – an exogenous thyroid hormone replacement that could enhance performance, and

–Adrenocortico-trophic hormone (ACTH) is currently classified as a Banned Substance and will be moved to the Controlled Medication section of the 2014 List due to its therapeutic value in equine medicine.

Three previously unlisted substanceswill be added to the Banned Substances section of the 2014 List, as they are considered to have a potential for abuse, or to improve athletic performance:

Ammonium Chloride injectable
Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL)
Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

The changes to the FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List will be accessible on the FEI Clean Sport webpage prior to Jan. 1.