Colin Mitchell BVM&S CertEP
MRCVS
Scott Mitchell Associates
Laura Ruby BVSc MRCVS
Calweton Veterinary Group
The use of substances with the potential to
enhance equine performance, health or
welfare and/or with a high potential for
misuse are contrary to the integrity of
equestrian sport and the welfare of
the horses. It is therefore essential that
anti-doping programmes and protocols
are implemented and enforced.
Anti-doping regulations are essential to
maintain fair competition; officials can
take samples randomly during events as
well as regular testing of horses after
competition. However, although the British
Horseracing Authority and Fédération
Équestre Internationale regularly 'dope test'
this does not always filter down to the
lower levels of affiliated competition.
So my answer would be yes, the
anti-doping regulations do maintain fair
competition but perhaps only at the top
levels of competition.
Edward Chinn CertEP BVetMed MRCVS
Alnorthumbria Veterinary Group
The British Horseracing Authority has
a zero tolerance to doping. Horses
must be free from the effects of any
prohibited substance. The definition of
a prohibited substance is ‘a substance
which originates externally to a horse’,
therefore any medicine or supplement. To
enforce this they will collect urine and
blood samples at racecourses as well
as performing unannounced visits to
training yards to sample all horses on
the yard.
How effective is this
?
In 2012 there were
14 positive tests from a total of 7,182
post-race samples (0.19% of horses
sampled) there were 90,174 runners
that year (0.01% of all runners).
The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI)
controls most other equine disciplines, they
have lists of prohibited substances and of
permissible medicines if declared. The FEI
have vets at events sampling winning
horses as well as randomly selected
horses. These tests are incredibly sensitive,
they can detect tiny amounts of naturally
occurring banned substances inadvertently
included in feeds or supplements.
I do believe the regulations maintain
fair competition.
The majority of owners who compete
their horses regularly will be aware of
drug testing in their sport. These tests can
take the form of the unexpected, random
arrival of officials at a competition, to
racing under rules where there will be
at least one horse tested after the majority
of races.
In recent times, testing by the British
Horseracing Authority (BHA) found 14
positives in 7,000 tests.
In my opinion, and supported by the
data above, the current regulations do
appear to maintain fair competition. In
my practice area, owners and trainers
are accepting of the regulations and
need for testing. I do not think anyone
involved in the sport wishes to see a
reduction in testing or an introduction
of a no testing policy.
Fair competition benefits equine welfare,
rider safety, public appreciation and
integrity of the sport.
Are the anti-doping regulations
in this country maintaining fair
competition?
VET VIEWPOINT...
WE ASK THE OPINIONS OF OUR VETS ON
THE ANTI-DOPING REGULATIONS
SPRING 2015 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
18
