As the 2013 competition season approaches, it might be wise to make sure you (and your horses) are in compliance with the Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). In its ongoing crackdown on equine doping, the FEI delivered a record number of decisions during the first ten months of 2012.

The world governing body of equestrian sport presented data on doping decisions made by the FEI Tribunal last year at the 2012 FEI General Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey, held in November.

Between January and October 2012, the FEI Tribunal delivered 16 final decisions on equine cases involving 14 horses, according to Lisa Lazarus, JD, of the FEI general counsel. Six two-year final suspensions were issued to the "persons responsible" (usually the rider). The average suspension was 15.2 months, and the average fine was 1,567 Swiss francs (or $1,684).

All cases involved the administration of a prohibited substance to at least one horse, according to FEI Tribunal records. Half the cases involved the use of banned substances, which are recognized as the true "doping" substances and are never allowed in FEI horses. But the other half of the cases involved what the FEI refers to as "controlled medications," or those considered therapeutic for horses suffering from certain conditions and are therefore allowed in FEI competition horses outside the show ring. Controlled medications are sometimes permitted during the competitions themselves, but only if an FEI veterinarian has preapproved them and has filled out the appropriate forms, Lazarus said