FEI Rules on NSAID Use

After a year of discussion and consultation with experts, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) has voted unanimously to prohibit the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as phenylbutazone (bute) and flunixin meglumine in international competition. Salicylic acid has also been banned for use during events.

By reducing pain, NSAIDs can allow injured horses to continue to perform, possibly making their condition worse and ultimately causing more suffering. Those who oppose the ruling say that NSAIDs can be used for treatment of inflammation, and are therefore therapeutic and should be allowed in horses that are competing. NSAIDs used legally for this purpose before competitions but discontinued prior to the next competition can be traced in blood and urine, and the FEI is pursuing efforts to provide data showing how long before a competition to discontinue use of these medications.

A current list of prohibited substances is available at www.fei.org. The list is also available for Android phones and as a free mobile application for the iPhone and can be downloaded at the iTunes Store. For more information, go to http://www.equiapps.com/fei-prohibited-substances/.