You may have read this in the horsey publications over the past couple of months but as of 1st January 2016 Devil's Claw has been added to the FEI prohibited substances list. Devil's Claw contains harpagoside, which is on the list of controlled medications this year. Currently it has not yet been added to the BEF prohibited substances database that covers national BD, BE and BS events but it is likely to be added shortly as this is usually in line with FEI rules. It is really important to check your supplements if you are competing under FEI rules! Here are the reasons why it has been banned, some competition legal alternatives to try and how we are helping our customers out!

Why has Devil's Claw been banned? The herb has been commonly used to help ease muscular pain as harpagoside is an anti-inflammatory with analgesic properties. It has been used by some owners as a substitute for prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

What alternatives are available? There are a number of alternatives available that promote comfort for horse's that do a lot of strenuous work and need some extra support or for senior horses who need a little bit extra! Here's some more information about a few and what they contain:

  • NAF Go Sound - Formulated using MSM, Turmeric, Ginger, Dandelion and Black Pepper, ingredients that are known for their comforting qualities. Clean Sport accredited and completely safe to compete on under FEI rules.
  • Animalife Vetrofen Intense - Natural antioxidant blend that targets comfort and recovery. Contains Scutellaria Baicalensis and Acacia Catechu, formulated with the unique Specially Optimised Bioavailable Formula (SOBF), completely FEI legal ingredients.
  • Animalife Vetrofen Healthy - Blend of three plant sources known by Animalife as ABC-Flex (Acacia Catechu, Boswellia, Curcumin and Black Pepper). Designed to support everyday comfort and mobility in active or ageing horses.
  • Global Herbs Alphabute and Alphabute Super - Contains Frankincense (Boswellia), Winter Cherry, Guduchi Vine, Turmeric and Amla Berry. Can be used short term or longer term.

If you are currently using Devil's Claw and want a suitable alternative send us an e-mail or call us on 01995 672464 for friendly, impartial advice.

What are companies doing to prevent cross contamination? NAF have issued a statement in regards to the production of NAF Devil's Relief (which contains Devil's Claw) to reassure customers of their dedication to clean sport. The product is now manufactured, filled and stored in a separate facility to avoid all cross contamination with other products, meaning you can have complete confidence using all other NAF products on your competing horse.

Animalife do not use Devil's Claw in any of their products and all are free of prohibited substances.

What is Supplement Solutions doing to help customers out? Any equine product that contains Devil's Claw will have a sticker on it to warn customers of the change in rules and withdrawal advice times. This is only if the manufacturer hasn't added a warning sticker already. The withdrawal times are a guide so please be certain to check with individual competition bodies for exact withdrawal periods.