The Fédération Equestre Internationale’s 2011 Equine Prohibited Substance List is in effect, as of April 4. The list will continue to show all substances added to or removed from the 2010 list and database until June 4.

The updated list, which was unanimously approved at the FEI General Assembly in Taipei last November, is accessible online.

The condition of Debbie Stephens’ grand prix jumper All Star was deteriorating rapidly in February of 2009. After a routine rhinopneumonitis vaccination, he showed severe neurological symptoms as a result of a virulent bacterial infection in his spinal cord.

“When it went downhill, it went downhill fast. He couldn’t move or eat or turn his head or lay down,” Stephens said.

The FEI General Assembly unanimously accepted the recommendations of the FEI List Group and approved the updated Equine Prohibited Substances List for the 2011 season. National federation delegates applauded spontaneously at the announcement of the vote.

The  Fédération Equestre Internationale has released an iPhone and Android application that will give those involved in horse sport faster and easier access to crucial information on prohibited substances.

Ever since the controversial Fédération Equestre Internationale General Assembly vote last November to legalize a number of formerly banned therapeutic substances, the FEI has been engaged in a lively debate over which drugs, particularly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, should be included on the Equine Prohibited Substances list.