USEF Approves Hair Testing To Help Detect Euthanasia Drug In Show Horses
The United States Equestrian Federation has announced a rule change to add hair testing to its anti-doping arsenal, effective July 1, 2025. In addition to blood and urine testing, hair testing can help combat the use of prohibited substances in show horses, such as barbiturates (including the euthanasia drug), according to a release from USEF.According to the Chronicle of the Horse, the USEF rule change was made "in response to what officials said are credible reports that some owners and trainers misuse barbiturates that can evade detection in urine and blood tests. The new rule takes aim at these banned substances with more precise testing technology, with the goal of discouraging the use of dangerous barbiturates."
USEF's chief veterinary officer, Stephen Schumacher, told chronofhorse.com: "Certain substances should never be in the horse when they're alive — period. We're not out to get people; we're out to protect horses. That's what we're looking to do, and this provides another tool for us to do that.'USEF will release an expanded list of banned substances ahead of the July 1 implementation date.
Additional rule changes advanced by USEF during its meeting on June 16 and 17 in Lexington, Ky., deal with falls of horses and ponies at hunter/jumper competitions.In a press release, USEF wrote that the rule change is designed "to ensure our equine partners receive appropriate care and are fit to compete before they return to the ring after an unexplained collapse. This modification will address our concerns about the impermissible administration of substances and ensures there is sufficient time for a licensed veterinarian to examine the horse and evaluate their fitness to compete. It is not designed to penalize horses who may choose to roll or those who have clearly tripped."As with hair testing, these changes go into effect July 1.The new rule states that 'any horse/pony who collapses is barred from competing for a minimum of seven days afterward, and is not permitted on the grounds of a Federation-licensed competition during that time.' The horse/pony must then be examined by a veterinarian who submits a statement that the horse/pony is fit to return to competition. The full USEF press release on the recent rule changes is available here.
This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
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