State-of-the-art horse doping test

Last Modified: 21 Aug 2008
Source: PA News

The use of the banned substance capsaicin in Irish showjumper Denis Lynch's horse Lantinus was discovered in the Hong Kong Jockey Club's state-of-the art dope-testing laboratory.

A lotion or paste, capsaicin is derived from the chilli pepper plant that when applied can have an hypersensitising effect, increasing a reaction to something, or act as a pain relief.

In both cases it can improve the performance of the horse.

If applied to the animal's front legs it would jump higher to avoid hitting a fence.

Capsaicin is also the main ingredient in Equi-Block, a pain reliever which is used for the temporary care of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, backache, strains and sprains.

Paul Farrington, associate member of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) veterinarian committee, said it was a class A prohibited substance for its pain-relieving qualities.

It is classified as a doping agent banned due to its hyper-sensitising properties.

Although capsaicin has always been prohibited, it is only in the last two years that the technology has been developed to detect it because it disappears quickly from a horse's system.

In human medicine capsaicin is used in cases such as neuralgia - a painful disorder of the nerves - by producing both a burning and pain killing effect.

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