What is Reserpine?
Reserpine is a naturally occurring substance which has been used in horses as a long-term sedative or calmer. It is extracted from the root of plants called Rauwolfia serpentina and Rauwolfia vomitoria and was used for centuries in herbal medicine in India.It is commonly found in grassland and hedgerows plants in Britain, so it could be grazed naturally or get into hay. The active ingredient, the alkaloid known as reserpine, was isolated in the 1950s and became a treatment for blood pressure in humans. In herbal medicine, the root of the plant was brewed into a tea for this purpose.The product can apparently be used in several human medications, which, under such circumstances, may then allow for the possibility for example that a person using one of these products could have contaminated horses indirectly and unintentionally.In horses, it is better known as Rakelin which has historically been used as an injectable medication.Testing for reserpine in horses has improved greatly, but there are said to be related herbs and plants in supplements, pastures and even hay which can also trigger positive drug tests.Why is Reserpine used?
Reserpine or rakelin, is a very long acting sedative, classified under FEI Rules as a banned substance for competition and would also be prohibited in racing.It was first produced commercially in Australia under the name of Rakelin.Rakelin is not licensed or authorised for use in Ireland and its use here would be illegal.It is said to have calming rather than a sedating effect and many believe that it would not be likely to detract from a horse’s capacity to jump or perform. Its use in horses was typically where a prolonged calming effect was required, perhaps in a horse that was proving overly anxious or difficult to handle, or as a calming agent in the training of stressed young horses.Unfortunately it was also used on occasions by many unscrupulous owners to calm fractious horses going to sales.It was administered, usually by weekly injection, during a long-term course.What was the outcome in the positive Reserpine test on Jock Paget’s winning horse “Clifton Promise”, at the Burghley International Event 2013?In this case the FEI Tribunal initially took a partial decision to provisionally disqualify the horse and rider after the Burghley Event, including the consequent forfeiture of all associated medals, points and prize money won at the event. The investigation which has ensued was based on the FEI’s policy which is the opposite to normal law process. Effectively the rider (as the ‘person responsible’ for the horse) is ‘guilty until proven innocent’, rather than the usual ‘innocent until proven guilty’.Therefore, if it is confirmed that reserpine was present in the horse’s blood, the onus is on the rider to prove how it got there.The provisional suspension and disqualification in place in this case, is pending hearings with the International Equestrian Federation Tribunal scheduled for June 3rd 2014.A ruling on the automatic disqualification from the event in advance of a full hearing was of importance for the reputation and integrity of the sport, and in order to gain clarity over the winner of the event in advance of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (May 2014).
Who is responsible in the case of a positive drug test in such cases under FEI rules?
The Person Responsible for the horse in this case would normally be the competitor who rides the horse during an event, but the owner and other support personnel including grooms and veterinary surgeons may be regarded as additional Persons Responsible. (In vaulting, the lunger is an additional Person Responsible).In the case of a borrowed horse, even if the owner is considered as a Person Responsible under the FEI Rules, this does not discharge the rider of his/her responsibility. Therefore, riding a borrowed horse necessitates the rider assuring himself/herself that they have full information on all possible treatments and medications that have been administered to the horse. Who is responsible in the case of a positive drug test under racing rules?
In contrast to sport horses, it is the trainer of the horse and not the rider or jockey who is held responsible, unless circumstances are shown to directly implicate them. Is there a known withdrawal period for Rakelin/Reserpine?
It is said to have a long and variable withdrawal period.It remains in the horse’s body for weeks if not months. Scientifically it has a half-life of 11 days. It can take days to reach full effect on the horse under treatment and will have subtle sedating effects for many days after the last injection.The drug can have undesired side-effect in horses, from diarrhoea and sweating to increased risk of gastric ulcers and depression.It can, in rare cases, cause male horses to drop their penises, with penile paralysis being a risk in stallions.What is the meaning of “Elective Testing”?
Elective testing provides a system where the treating or the team veterinary surgeon can request an FEI laboratory to test for certain prohibited specified substances in the urine of a competition horse. Elective testing could assist the owner/rider in estimating how long this substance may be detectable in the horse’s system following a course of treatment. However, the results of elective testing are unofficial and for reference purposes of the owner/rider only.The treating/team veterinary surgeon has to complete the relevant FEI application form etc, to make use of this service. This is quite a costly test.