Attention BE banned substance experts!

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Fun Times

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So have been researching which cool boots to buy the beast for the upcoming season. In amongst the reviews I found a load of people saying that the likes of ice blue gel are banned due to containing camphor and menthol. Commence mild panic. Have reviewed the entire current fei banned substance list and no mention of either of these items. So what on earth is making people say this stuff is banned? Are they wrong or am I missing something??? Am leaving it in the tackroom until I feel sure I understand the flipping rules!:o
 
Fun Times said:
So have been researching which cool boots to buy the beast for the upcoming season. In amongst the reviews I found a load of people saying that the likes of ice blue gel are banned due to containing camphor and menthol. Commence mild panic. Have reviewed the entire current fei banned substance list and no mention of either of these items. So what on earth is making people say this stuff is banned? Are they wrong or am I missing something??? Am leaving it in the tackroom until I feel sure I understand the flipping rules!:o
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I recently read an article that advised that all these boots were not that effective and that cold hosing and cold water bandages worked better. Clay poultices held heat in and should be washed off as soon as dry.

For easy ice bandages, use hand towels folded in half, short edges together, wet, squeeze out and place flat in a plastic bag. Place in the freezer. On day of competition place frozen towels in a cooler bin. By the time you need them they will still be ice cold.
 
I use ice cube bags. Wrap them in newspaper and put in a cool box. Longest day they came out the freezer at 7am, and weren't needed until 5pm and were still frozen. I use jerry cloths to wrap them up in before putting on the legs, and use old boots to hold in place. Much better than any other boots I've tried as they don't warm up, they just melt.
 
Thanks both of you for the really good tips regarding boots and bandages, will def give them a go. Does anyone have any thoughts regarding whether ice blue is banned or not?
 
Somebody told me purple spray was banned but then I looked up the ingredients and none of them were banned.

Just one of these old wives tales I think. You could always speak to the FEI or BE.
 
I think it comes from the fact that the manufacturer's themselves say:

"Contains camphor and menthol; please allow a withdrawal period of 1-2 weeks if competing under Jockey Club rules."

But from what you say, it sounds like Jockey Club rules and BE rules may be different.
 
It's not on the FEI list.

It's my understanding that not all jurisdictions operate on the FEI list (Riding Club?) but BE does. The list is easily accessible in the Clean Sport section of the FEI site.

It's not pertinent in this case but people do need to be aware that the list changes, as does testing. The FEI also is quite clear on the idea of "intent" and the rules apply to substances "like" the ones on the list, so it's really not a good plan to take people's word for it. There are lots of substances that are controlled now that didn't used to be for the simple reason they can test for them now and/or they have become aware that people are using them to circumvent the spirit of the rules.

Interestingly, the USEF document on the subject DOES say lavender is banned under FEI rules

https://www.usef.org/documents/drugsMeds/DrugsMedsGuidelines2013.pdf p7
 
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TarrSteps said:
It's not on the FEI list.

It's my understanding that not all jurisdictions operate on the FEI list (Riding Club?) but BE does. The list is easily accessible in the Clean Sport section of the FEI site.

It's not pertinent in this case but people do need to be aware that the list changes, as does testing. The FEI also is quite clear on the idea of "intent" and the rules apply to substances "like" the ones on the list, so it's really not a good plan to take people's word for it. There are lots of substances that are controlled now that didn't used to be for the simple reason they can test for them now and/or they have become aware that people are using them to circumvent the spirit of the rules.

Interestingly, the USEF document on the subject DOES say lavender is banned under FEI rules

https://www.usef.org/documents/drugsMeds/DrugsMedsGuidelines2013.pdf p7
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Lavender oil could be used as an irritant I wonder if that's why.
 
Its hugely confusing. My pot of ice blue says on it "if competing under fei or jc rules, allow a withdrawal period." Err, how am I meant to determine what that might be, given the active ingredients are not listed on the fei controlled or banned substance list. Trots off to create multimillion pound laboratory and start slathering self in ice blue to test withdrawals period....
 
There aren't even definitive withdrawal times because there are simply too many factors in play. I think the general feeling on topical preparations is they aren't going to show up in a systemic test. I would probably avoid using anything that might be considered a sensitising agent on a jumping horse's legs before a class. Lavender in a wash is unlikely to test. Ingested, that's another matter but since its use is usually in calmers it transgresses the spirit of the law anyway.

That said, the BEF link goes to Clean Sport so you're probably safe going with that.
 
Fun Times said:
Its hugely confusing. My pot of ice blue says on it "if competing under fei or jc rules, allow a withdrawal period." Err, how am I meant to determine what that might be, given the active ingredients are not listed on the fei controlled or banned substance list. Trots off to create multimillion pound laboratory and start slathering self in ice blue to test withdrawals period....
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I think they write that there so that they are covered should someone use the product and return a positive test. Contact them and ask how long is the withholding period.

Be careful of any product that has DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide) in it as this carries other compounds through the skin.
 
Tnavas said:
I think they write that there so that they are covered should someone use the product and return a positive test. Contact them and ask how long is the withholding period.

Be careful of any product that has DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide) in it as this carries other compounds through the skin.
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Exactly. If that's on there and you get caught, that's your look out.

That said, if a substance doesn't carry a disclaimer that isn't a guarantee. Manufactures are not obliged to provide such information and it's up to the rider to know what's going into/on to the horse
 
lavender is a weird one.....

...... and yet there are some well known herbal anti-inflamatories, like Devil's Claw, that aren't on the list???
 
Just be aware that herbal preparations may be under their active ingredient. For example there is no entry for 'valerian' but there is for its active component
 
ooh blimey, now I'm going to have to show my ignorance - how do you find out what the active ingredient is in a herb?
 
Kelpie said:
ooh blimey, now I'm going to have to show my ignorance - how do you find out what the active ingredient is in a herb?
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Here you go, the properties of Lavender - from
http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/lavender.htm

Chemical composition

The main chemical components of lavender oil are a-pinene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, cis-ocimene, trans-ocimene, 3-octanone, camphor, linalool, linalyl acetate, caryophyllene, terpinen-4-ol and lavendulyl acetate.

Precautions

Although lavender oil is considered one of the safest essential oils, you should discontinue use is you have any allergic reactions.

Therapeutic properties

The therapeutic properties of lavender oil are antiseptic, analgesic, anti-convulsant, anti-depressant, anti-rheumatic, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, bactericide, carminative, cholagogue, cicatrisant, cordial, cytophylactic, decongestant, deodorant, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypotensive, nervine, rubefacient, sedative, sudorific and vulnerary.
 
From the same site as above

Camphor
Chemical composition

The main chemical components are a-pinene, camphene, b-pinene, sabinene, phellandrene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, y-terpinene, p-cymene, terpinolene, furfural, camphor, linalool, bornyl acetate, terpinen-4-ol, caryophyllene, borneol, piperitone, geraniol, safrole, cinnamaldehyde, methyl cinnamate and eugenol.

The brown and yellow camphor oil has a very high safrole content, with yellow having between 10 - 20 % and the brown having 80%. These two oils are considered toxic, as well as carcinogenic.

Precautions

Camphor oil is a powerful oil and should be used with care. It is not really used in aromatherapy as it is classed as a convulsant and neurotoxin.

Overdosing can cause convulsions and vomiting and pregnant women as well as people suffering from epilepsy and asthma should not use it.

Therapeutic properties

The therapeutic properties of camphor oil are analgesic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, cardiac, carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, hypertensive, insecticide, laxative, rubefacient, stimulant, sudorific, vermifuge and vulnerary.


Menthol
Chemical composition

The main chemical components of spearmint oil are a-pinene, b-pinene, carvone, 1,8-cineole, linalool, limonene, myrcene, caryophyllene and menthol (0.5% compared to the 40% in peppermint)

Precautions

It is considered a non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing oil

Therapeutic properties

The therapeutic properties of spearmint oil are antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cephalic, emmenagogue, insecticide, restorative and stimulant.
 
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