The FEI has warned riders to be on the alert for Synephrine contamination, following an unprecedented number of positive tests to this banned substance in show jumping horses this spring. So far 10 horses have tested positive to it at FEI shows – eight of them in Mexico and two in Spain.
The FEI said: “Although investigations into the sources of the positive cases are still ongoing, the FEI would like to warn stakeholders of synephrine which may be found in the horse’s environment and advise on measures that can be taken to prevent a positive finding.”
Synephrine is a stimulant which can cause vasoconstriction, an increased heart rate and is used as a weight loss aid.