What do you know about the behavioral medications your horse receives for issues including anxiety, aggression, sleep deprivation and other conditions?
You should tune in to a Feb. 18 Cornell University webinar being given by Dr. Katherine Anderson from 6-7 p.m. Eastern Time. An assistant clinical professor with the Cornell Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior, she will discuss when medications might be appropriate for your horse, which drugs to consider (and which ones to avoid), and how they work. Register using this link.
If only Tine Magnes of the Belgian Olympic eventing team had that kind of information before last year’s Paris Games. Her horse, Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z, tested positive for trazodone, an antidepressant used to treat depression and anxiety in humans, which is a prohibited substance under the rules of the FEI (international equestrian federation).
The matter was resolved with a settlement and Tine was disqualified from the Games. The decision meant her score did not count and that Belgium had to forfeit its fourth-place finish in the Games. It also meant the U.S. moved up from seventh place to sixth with the Belgian team off the board.
The Belgian team vet recommended Tine use Relax Pro, deemed to be the source of the substance, twice on her mount.
While the decision of the FEI Tribunal that handled the case stated Tine normally uses a very limited number of supplements,“being on the Olympic Team, she relied on the expertise and guidance provided by the Team’s infrastructure, hence she relied on the advice of the Team Veterinarian…”.
The FEI cited the “failure” of the team vet and the Belgian Federation in the matter, noting Tine “showed no reckless behavior,”
Tine said on social media that she can “Confirm with lifted head and declare that I have never deliberately used doping.” She noted that the package of Relax Pro said “doping free.”
The rider was penalized with a fine of 4,000 Swiss francs ($4,256 U.S.) and suspended from Sept.3-Nov. 3 2024. Tine also agreed to be part of an education campaign on the risk of using supplements. Those who register for the Cornell webinar can get similarly useful information on the subject.