Clean Sport for Horses - FEI Prohibited Substances List

The FEI publishes an 'Equine Prohibited Substances List' (EPSL). This enables Persons Responsible (PRs) to ensure that they are not treating or feeding horses with substances that are prohibited for use during competition and substances that are not permitted for use in the horse at any time. Prohibited Substances are categorised as follows:

• 'Banned Substances' are substances that are deemeed by the FEI to have no legitimate use in the competition horse and/or have a high potential for abuse. They are not permitted for use in the competition horse at any time. 
• 'Controlled Medication' are substances that are deemed by the FEI to have therapeutic value and/or be commonly used in equine medicine. Controlled Medication have the potential to affect performance and/or be a welfare risk to the horse. 

The EPSL lists all substances that are prohibited for use during FEI events. Substances that are not listed on the EPSL are not prohibited provided that they do not have a similar chemical structure or biological effect to a substance listed on the EPSL.

The EPSL is available below as a pdf, an online database and a mobile app. Links to these tools can be found by clicking on the buttons below.

Changes to the Equine Prohibited Substances List
The EPSL is reviewed on an annual basis by the FEI List Group. Changes to the list are published here, 90 days in advance of the change coming into effect. Further details on the review process can be found here.

Medication administration prior to and at events
Before giving any substance to a horse competing at FEI events, athletes and their support personnel should always check if the substance is prohibited. If so, a withdrawal time must be observed before competing and the FEI publishes a 'List of Detection Times' which can be found below. Elective Testing is always available and the FEI organises specific elective testing programmes for horses competing in major Games. Information concerning elective testing can be found here.

General Advice
Athletes and their support teams are stongly encouraged to work closely with their veterinarians when administering substances to horses. The FEI has published a warning regarding the use of supplements (including herbal supplements) and products of which the ingredients are unknown. Any substances which affects the performance of a horse in a calming (tranquillising) or an energising (stimulant) manner and which contain a Prihibited Substance are forbidden. Athletes should also be aware that the use of a calming product during competition may also have important safety consequences.