Horse doping: it hasn’t gone away

[ONE OF THE more high-profile areas of the toxicologist’s work is in sports drug abuse. The worlds of cycling and athletics have hit the headlines with immense impact, spawning films as well as news stories.

An area that has a lower profile is doping of animals – specifically horses. While there has been little publicity in recent years, there is still no doubt that the doping of racehorses exists – indeed, the New York Times recently reported on a major doping scandal in Florida, quoting the principal laboratory in New York as saying it is losing the battle against dopers.

In the UK the anti-doping effort is the job of the British Horseracing Authority’s Equine Anti-Doping Programme, which ‘aims to safeguard the integrity of British horseracing and the welfare of its equine participants’.

According to the BHA: “The inappropriate use of authorised medicines is a threat to the integrity of racing; it can give competitors an unfair advantage and threatens the welfare of horses and therefore is not tolerated.

“The BHA therefore ensures that the system of stringent regulation concerning anti-doping and medication control incorporates the essential features of education and prevention.”

It is a requirement of the BHA’s Rules of Racing that a trainer is responsible for keeping a clear and accurate record of any treatment administered to each horse in their care for at least 12 months in an Equine Medication Record Book. The record must include authorised medicines administered by a veterinary surgeon or trainer’s representative, medicines for which there are exemptions, and any supplements that are considered prohibited under the BHA Rules of Racing. “Administration of any substance, except normal food and water, is prohibited on racecourse premises and on the day of the race, unless special dispensation has been granted.” The other side of horse sport, equestrianism, is controlled by British Equestrian. They have equally stringent rules regarding the administration of pharmaceuticals to horses. A further complexity of equestrianism is that many riders are amateurs and young. In those cases additional responsibility is placed on those who loan out horses for competitions. q