Doping information
You probably know this when you ride your horse in competitions: competing is always exciting! You've trained hard for months, sent off the entry form - you're ready to go! And suddenly? Your horse falls ill and needs treatment. Your horse is feeling better before the show starts, but the medication still needs to be administered for a while. Important for you to know: Many medicines are considered to affect performance in competition and are therefore prohibited. At both national and international competitions, you are obligated to inform yourself about the composition, ingredients and additives of the products administered.
The background to these strict rules is obvious: the health and well-being of the horse should always be paramount. This not only corresponds to a veterinary principle, but is also reflected in the German Animal Welfare Act: a horse undergoing treatment for an illness should not take part in competitions.
The German Equestrian Federation (Fédération Nationale Équestre, FN) regulates at national level which medications you are allowed to administer to your horse before and during a competition with the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Rules (ADMR). Natural veterinary medicines such as homeopathic remedies are permitted in a potency from D7. In a potency up to and including D6, the FN recommends a withdrawal period of 48 hours (withdrawal period = time between the last administration of the substance and its use at the tournament).
Different rules apply in some cases at international competitions. Natural veterinary medicines such as homeopathics are permitted here in accordance with the FEI (Federation Équestre Internationale) classification, with the exception of the day of the competition. Your vet can also provide you with reliable information on the exact documentation requirements that may apply.
Good to know!
For Engystol, Traumeel and Zeel ad us. vet. a recommended withdrawal period of only 48 hours must be observed according to the FN!
