Antihistamines and NSAIDs and nutraceuticals, oh my! Have a question about equine drugs or medications at Equestrian Canada (EC) sanctioned competitions? EC’s Equine Medication Control Committee is here to answer your questions on the EC Equine Medication Control program.
What is the role of EC Equine Medication Control Technicians?
Equine Medications Control (EMC) Technicians are EC officials who work to assist EC in our efforts to protect the health and welfare of horses and the safety of athletes, and to ensure fair play. EMC Technicians perform equine medication control testing services at EC sanctioned events and at FEI sanctioned events in Canada. EMC Technicians collect urine samples or coordinate with a veterinarian to take blood samples from horses selected for medication control testing.
EC is currently accepting applications for Technicians throughout Canada, based on geographical program needs. EC sanctioned events take place in a variety of rural and urban locations, and occur mainly on weekends. If you are interested in this unique opportunity, and have extensive experience around horses, please contact us at equinemeds@equestrian.ca
Can my horse compete at EC sanctioned competitions while being given cannabis products (e.g. CBD, THC)?
No. THC and CBD are prohibited substances as per the EC and Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) equine medication control programs. There are no veterinary cannabis products approved by Health Canada. Detection of these substances can result in an equine medication control violation.
For additional information, see the previously released communication from EC and industry notification from the CPMA below.
EC Release: Equine Medication Control: Cannabis and Your Horse
CPMA Industry Notification: Cannabis and Equine Drug Control
If you are a veterinarian seeking information about a specific product being legally available in Canada, you can contact the Veterinary Drugs Directorate for more information at vetdrugs-medsvet@hc-sc.gc.ca.
Do you have a question? Send your inquiries about the EC Equine Medication Control program to equinemeds@equestrian.ca.
Please note, this does not constitute legal advice. Information included in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not, and should not be taken as, advice regarding a particular situation. You should not rely on, nor take or fail to take any action based upon this information. You are encouraged to seek legal advice regarding your circumstances, and you should not rely upon anything you have read in this article without seeking appropriate legal advice regarding the application of EC Equine Medication Control Rules to your particular circumstances.