SNIFFER DOGS TO ASSIST IN DETECTING PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES IN ENDURANCE HORSES

At the 2025 FEI Sports Forum, FEI veterinary director Göran Åkerström shared details of a new research project that could strengthen equestrian anti-doping measures — using sniffer dogs to detect microdoses of prohibited substances in horses.

In collaboration with the Swedish University of Agriculture, the project focuses on detecting heart-rate lowering substances in horse saliva. These substances, banned under the FEI’s Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EDCMRs), can artificially lower a horse’s heart rate, masking fatigue and placing the horse at serious risk.

In endurance competitions, a horse must have a heart rate of 64 bpm or lower to continue. Horses pushed beyond safe limits may face life-threatening consequences.

According to Mr Åkerström, these banned substances are often administered in such small doses that they can evade traditional testing. However, sniffer dogs have demonstrated extraordinary sensitivity — detecting concentrations down to picogram levels (one trillionth of a gram).

The process involves placing a custom swab in the horse’s mouth for one to three minutes. The dog then sniffs a range of samples; if a positive is indicated, the horse is immediately blood tested, and the sample is sent for laboratory analysis. Only lab-confirmed results would be used for any legal proceedings.

Mr Åkerström added that sniffer dogs could serve as an effective selection method for targeted testing — acting as both a powerful deterrent and a step forward in safeguarding horse welfare.