Equine Anti Doping

The Horse Sport Ireland EAD/ECM rules incorporate the FEI equine prohibited substance list (EPSL) which is published and revised by the FEI from time to time. The EPSL enables Persons Responsible (PRs) to ensure that they are not treating or feeding horses with substances that are prohibited for use during competition and substances that are not permitted for use in the horse at any time.

Prohibited substances are categorised as follows:

• ‘Banned substances’ are substances that are deemed by the FEI to have no legitimate use in the competition horse and/or have a high potential for abuse. They are not permitted for use in the competition horse at any time.
• ‘Controlled medication’ refers to substances that are deemed by the FEI to have therapeutic value and/or be commonly used in equine medicine. Controlled medication also has the potential to affect performance and/or be a welfare risk to the horse.

The purpose of this database is to help persons responsbile (PRs) identify which substances are prohibited under the regulations. Information such as substance definition, common usage and common trade names are available. You must be aware that the list of trade names is not exhaustive, but it reflects the most popular trade names in certain countries. The trade names used may be different in your country therefore it is imperative you always use the database to check for active substances rather than trade names. Please be aware, if a substance has the same chemical structure or biological effect as a substance on the list, it is also prohibited just as if it were on the list.

In cases where horses require emergency veterinary treatment with a controlled medication prior to competition, an Equine Therapeutic Use Exemption (ETUE) may be applied in accordance with the following procedures:

• The treating veterinarian must complete an ETUE application form and submit this by email to Horse Sport Ireland before 10am on the last working day prior to the start of the in-competition period.
• The ETUE application form must include a signed stamped statement by the treating veterinarian describing the reason for treatment, the active substance given, the dose and the exact time of administration.
• The Horse Sport Ireland adjudicating veterinarian will consider the application and determine whether or not the horse is permitted to compete based on guidelines set down by Horse Sport Ireland.
• If an ETUE is granted by the adjudicating veterinarian, the testing veterinarian in respect of the relevant in–competition period will be informed along with the PR.
• An EUTE does not exempt a PR and their horse from equine anti-doping testing. If tested and the substance listed on the form is reported in an adverse analytical finding, the PR will not be sanctioned on those findings.

NB It is the responsibility of the rider/owner to establish with certainty that an ETUE application has been granted prior to the horse competing.

Equine Therapeutic Use Exemption (ETUE) for Regumate (Altrenogest) –Season Long Exemption: In cases where mares require Altrenogest to suppress oestrus, its use for this specific purpose is allowed under FEI rules, HSI have a separate ETUE form for completion. This form is specifically for when Regumate is to be administered over a longer period or for the season. HSI will allow a season-long exemption to be applied for in this case. For one off administration of Regumate, the standard ETUE form should be used. The policy around the use of Regumate in mares can be found HERE

Useful documents for download

• HSI ETUE form

Horse Sport Ireland publishes its equine anti-doping review yearly. The yearly review outlines the following:

• Doping/controlled medication rule violations including, administrative sanctions and hearing outcomes
• Testing programme for member bodies including, affiliates utilising the programme and the number of samples collected.
• A full record of all reviews from 2012 to the current year can be viewed in the first table below. The second table outlines positive cases and their outcomes.

For Download