Recent high-profile cases involving horses testing positive for banned substances has created quite a buzz in the show jumping world.
But did you realize the potential risks of an accidental positive from something as innocent as giving your horse a treat?
“You may think something sounds familiar and benign, but you don’t necessarily know what’s in it,” said Dr. Stephen Schumacher, DVM, chief administrator of US Equestrian’s Equine Drugs and Medications Program. “You know the plant, but you might not know what its active constituents might be.”
What may appear to be an innocent-sounding ingredient, could in fact cause a positive test for a forbidden substance like eugenol, which occurs naturally in foods including licorice, cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, and celery.
What to do if you’re not sure.
Call the Equine Drugs and Medications Program at 1-800-633-2472. They can tell you if you’re at risk of an accidental positive based on the ingredients you’re feeding.
