Citronella in Affilliated Competition (SJ)

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Shay

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I know the use of Citronella fly sprays in affilliated competition was banned a few years ago - but I can't find mention of it on current lists. I've tried the 2012 FEI banned substances list and the BEFRA lists to no avail. I've also emailed BS but had no response.

Am I looking in the wrong place or is it no longer prohibited?
 
It can't be marketed as a fly spray as its never Ben tested for effectiveness. However I don't think it's banned substance? Just manufacturers are banned from calling it a replellent.
 
I knew it had been banned as being described as a repellant - but I noticed a response in Horse magazine this month which stated it was also banned in affilliated competition. I did some research and it does appear to have been banned in 2008 as it was thought to have a calming effect. But I can't find anything current. (I would also question how it would be detected - but that is another matter!)
 
Shay said:
I knew it had been banned as being described as a repellant - but I noticed a response in Horse magazine this month which stated it was also banned in affilliated competition. I did some research and it does appear to have been banned in 2008 as it was thought to have a calming effect. But I can't find anything current. (I would also question how it would be detected - but that is another matter!)
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Really?! How on earth is citronella calming? In that case, have they banned lavender as well? Ridiculous IMO. I knew makers couldnt call it fly spray if it contained it but could still use it as other products (like "summer spray" etc.). Well I still add citronella to my DIY fly repellent and have used it at affiliated comps since 2008. I know a lot of other who have too. How on earth can they prove it, they smell your horse?
 
i dont agree with it been a banned substance at all.
calming effect ????? the only calming effect it has is too keep the flies away so my horses head is going everywhere just before a fence which is dangerous or i get 'unsteady head' more often than i do now in a dressage test
strange you can compete with the many calming product available and they are supposedly 'natural' just like citronella.

if you that worried when making diy fly spray try adding lemongrass oil instead/as well.
 
The reason it was banned is that some horses were allergic to it, however I have seen a lot more horses have horrendous reactions to DEET, which is very nasty chemical.
IMO the only reason it was banned was because chemical companies can't make money out of it. Yes some horses are allergic to it (but some horses are allergic to everything!) and it is nowhere near as harmful to the environment as deet (I suppose to cause damage with deet you would need to pour quite a few bottles into a stream).

It should of never been banned IMO, even quite a few human cosmetics contain (such as Skin So Soft) which all have been tested. It would not be hard to test its effectiveness as a fly repellent either.
 
No, I know - thats why I posted the question! The Article in Horse magazine last month was clear that citronella was currently banned but - like everyone else I was so surprised I went and looked it up. It did appear on the banned list in 2008 if you search for it - but is certainly not on the current one and I can't seem to find anything unbanning it.

And Magic melon is right - do they smell your horse?

I think we'll avoid the NAF Tags as possibly a bit too obvious and just carry on!
 
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