BETA Guide to AvoidingProhibited Substances

Stable management4 Make sure everyone on the yard knows the possible sources of contamination.6 Never eat or drink in the stable or feed room.Chocolate and coffee contain banned substances.4 Wash hands thoroughly after treating a horse– or wear a pair of disposable latex gloves.4 Stable staff should declare any medicationthey are taking.4 Clean and disinfect the loose box, mangerand water bowl before the arrival of a new horse.4 Empty and decontaminate the horse box afterevery journey.4 Give horses on treatment their own box – try not to share.6 Avoid sharing tack and equipment between horses.6 Do not give titbits of human food to your horse.

Medication management4 If your horse or pony is being given a supplement requiring a period of withdrawalbefore competition, check the correct timingwith your vet.6 Take care when using powder forms ofmedication during treatment.6 Do not use home-made remedies.4 Keep all medications locked in a securefirst-aid box on the yard. Ideally, each horseshould have its own kit.4 Keep a detailed record of any medication ortreatment prescribed in a day book or diary.

Feed management4 Keep only horse and pony feed in the feed storeand do not share it with feed for other animals.4 Only buy feed in correctly labelled sealed bags. 4 Lock the feed store when not in use.6 Do not keep first-aid and grooming kits in thefeed room.4 Make sure old feed is used up before openingnew bags.6 Avoid using the same stirrer to mix feeds – particularly when one horse is given medication in its feed. 4 Clean any mangers or feed buckets used to administer medication thoroughly after use.4 Buy feed or supplements with the green BETA NOPS logo on the packaging. This shows that the manufacturer is part of an important schemedesigned to help cut the risk of naturally occurring substances causing con-tamination. This initiative was set up by BETA in conjunction with manufactur-ers to improve production practices. 4 Buy only good-quality forage from a reputable supplier and keep an eyeopen for any weeds.4 Keep labels or batch numbers (the retailer that sold you the feed shouldhave this) because this will prove invaluable in identifying a prohibited substance should a problem arise.4 Take samples of new feed and keep it for two months after consumption –just in case of any investigation.4 Contact the manufacturer to check the suitability of a feed for your horse.6 Beware of claims made by feed manufacturers that are not part of theBETA NOPS code.

Positive tests for prohibited substances continue to affect equestrian sport, but addressing three key areas of horse care can help you to avoid them...

For further information on avoiding prohibited subtancesor a list of companies that have signed up to the BETANOPS scheme, contact Claire Williams, telephone 01937587062 or email claire@beta-uk.org, or visit the BETAwebsite, www.beta-uk.org, and click on the Feed/NOPSlink on the Riders page.

Avoid eating in the stableor feed room.

Ensure that you buygood-quality forage.