Two drugs have been added to the FEI’s equine prohibited substance list for next year.
The substances that will be banned from 1 January 2012 are magnesium sulphate injections and any use of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). 17-alpha-hydroxy progesterone.
The drug is used to assist pregnancy, but works as an anabolic steroid in the male, and is also banned.
FEI veterinary director Graeme Cooke told H&H: “The two substances have no legitimate common usage in the horse. In theory [the changes] will not affect many.”
Valerenic acid has been removed from the banned substance category to the controlled medications list, meaning it can be used but not in competition.
This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse and Hound (3 November, 2011)
