The FEI is consulting on proposed changes to its Veterinary Regulations, including one of particular significance: the introduction of Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) for pergolide.
Pergolide
Pergolide is a medicine commonly used to manage the symptoms of Cushing’s disease in horses. Under FEI rules, it is classified as a Controlled Medication, meaning it may be administered outside of competition periods but must be fully cleared from a horse’s system before competing.
Consequently, treatment must be withdrawn in advance of events, which can cause affected horses to suffer.
Vet Form vs. TUE?
It is possible to submit a Vet Form at each event to request permission to continue using pergolide throughout the competition. However, that is administratively burdensome to do at every single event, and there is always the risk that permission will be denied.
A TUE would offer a more practical alternative. Once granted, the horse can be given pergolide in and out of competition. The permission remains valid for a specified period of time, removing the need for repeated applications during that time.
Is this new?
The US Equestrian Federation (USEF) introduced TUEs for pergolide in 2018 for national-level horses, providing a tried and tested model for the FEI to follow.
Nevertheless, concerns have been raised that horses requiring daily pergolide medication may not be fit for competition, and that some riders might administer the drug to horses that do not genuinely need it.
What now?
The FEI is conducting an ethical evaluation on this proposal before releasing its first draft of the proposed rule changes in July. It is also inviting comments from stakeholders – so make sure to provide your thoughts on this significant change while you have the opportunity to do so.
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