FEI General Assembly: on the Vet side

Authorisation of treatment with altrenogest

The Assembly approved a proposed rule change enabling the treatment of mares with excessive oestrus behaviour with Regumate® (altrenogest), under the following conditions:
1. only for mares,
2. at the manufacturers recommended dosage and
3. after completion of Medication Form 2. This permission, as is the case for gastric ulcer treatment, will be reviewed annually.
To this effect, a new version of Form 2 has been designed and will shortly be sent out to FEI Veterinary Officials . Testing laboratories are advised to report any altrenogest positives to the FEI, although the test result will not be followed up by judicial action. The FEI would like to monitor the number of altrenogest positive test results to get a better idea how much this medication is being used.

Salicylate Threshold

The regulatory threshold for salicylates in urine and plasma was reduced after a detailed study of 650 samples for their salicylate content and a subsequent statistical review of the results. The new threshold for salicylates will be 625 µg/ml for urine and 5.4 µg/ml in plasma. This reduction will make it more complicated to administer salicylates to horses without exceeding the threshold. The FEI listed laboratories will be informed of this change in the threshold level. As with all rule changes pertaining to medication, this new rule comes into effect immediately.

Medication form 2

A new medication form for permission of treatment with Regumate® (altrenogest) for mares with oestrus related behavioural problems was presented and accepted by the Bureau and by the General Assembly. This form will replace Medication Form 2 (alternative treatment) as the latter form did not result in the collection of useful data.

FEI requirements for Equine Influenza vaccinations

The recommendation by the FEI Veterinary Committee, advising to move from an annual booster vaccination to bi-annual vaccinations (once per 6 months) was approved by the General Assembly. This means that as from January 1, 2005, all horses participating in FEI competitions should have received a booster vaccination within 6 months prior to the event. The year 2005 will be used to get riders and vets used to the new system by only issuing warnings in case the new requirements have not been met. Only as from January 1, 2006 sanctions will be applicable similar to the current sanctions for infringements of the influenza requirements.

Horse inspections

Some minor modifications were made to the Veterinary Regulations. These include:
1. Tongue-ties are not permitted in any FEI competitions.
2. In situations where the Inspection Panel cannot come to a consensus, the President of the Ground Jury has the casting vote.
3. In Driving, the third Horse Inspection will be named Final Observation before Competition C and
4. the rider does not have to jog all horses of a team in Driving.


Horse inspections in CICs and CCIs

Additionally, improvements in the protocol for the Veterinary Supervision in CICs were announced by the Eventing Committees Chairman, Mr. Wayne Roycroft.

Welfare

A new welfare sub-committee was established during the General Assembly. The FEI-ILPH collaboration had been effectuated in the format of a working group thus far, and it was felt that the formation of a sub-committee would fit in easier with the existing FEI structure thereby facilitating the mutual handling of welfare related issues.