Eventing, dressage and jumping: FEI peptide rules and injuries

What does the FEI list say about peptides?

One peptide is named and the rest are not cleared. The 2026 FEI list has "Thymosin (synthetic fragments)" as Banned, which covers TB-500. BPC-157, GHK-Cu and KPV are not named. The list also covers "any other substance with a similar chemical structure or similar biological effect(s)". We found no FEI ruling either way on those three, so nobody can honestly say they are allowed.

These rules apply across FEI disciplines, including eventing, dressage and show jumping. The FEI publishes a new list each year, so check the one in force on the day you compete.

How does FEI testing work?

Testing can happen at any event, in any discipline, at any time. The FEI's Clean Sport site says testing is always carried out the same way at every FEI event, and samples are handled the same way too. Its guide to the testing steps, a 2016 document, describes how horses are chosen.

• Medallists: winners at major events, medal winners and at least one horse from each medal-winning team
• Random selection agreed by the officials at the event
• Targeted testing, where the Ground Jury picks a horse
• A horse can be tested more than once at one event
• An FEI Testing Veterinarian collects urine and blood, each split into an A and a B sample
• If the A sample is positive, the B sample can be tested at a different FEI-approved laboratory

Can my horse be tested at home?

Yes. The FEI's anti-doping rules say all horses registered with the FEI or a national federation may be subject to out-of-competition testing by the FEI. National federations can run their own out-of-competition testing as well. Stopping a peptide before a show does not protect you, because Banned Substances are prohibited at all times.

Detection methods exist. In 2012 the Hong Kong Jockey Club's racing laboratory published a method to detect TB-500 and its breakdown products in horse urine and plasma. For who is held responsible after a positive, see the full competition rules guide.

Which injuries are common in sport horses?

Foot, joint, back, tendon and ligament problems lead the list. A 2018 survey of 1,677 British Eventing horses found 49.4% had a previous lameness or musculoskeletal problem. Tendon injuries were most often sustained in competition, while suspensory ligament injuries were more often sustained in training. Deep digital flexor tendon injuries most often kept horses out of work for more than 12 months.

Dressage horses are affected too. A survey of British Dressage members found owners reported 33% of horses had been lame at some point in their career. Stomach ulcers are common across sport: the European consensus statement reports squamous gastric disease in 17 to 58% of show and sport horses.

What to do with an injured sport horse: see your vet first

Get a diagnosis before anything else. Heat, swelling or a bowed tendon, or sudden lameness after cross-country, means stop work and call your vet today. Ulcers can only be confirmed reliably with gastroscopy, because the signs are vague.

Your vet will choose approved treatments and can check each one against FEI rules. Keep a record of everything your horse is given and by whom. If you are unsure about any product, ask your national federation in writing before you compete.

• Do not give any peptide to a competition horse, including blends, sprays, oils and treats
• Ask your vet to check every treatment against the current FEI list
• Make sure riders, grooms and owners all follow the same rule
• If your horse has already had a peptide, tell your vet and ask your federation before you enter

Is TB-500 or BPC-157 worth the risk for recovery?

No, for a competition horse the answer is simple. Neither has been officially tested in horses, neither is FDA-approved for animals, and no clinical trial of either in horses appears in PubMed. TB-500 is Banned outright, and BPC-157 is not cleared. Our BPC-157 vs TB-500 comparison sets out what is and is not known, and the safety guide covers the wider risks.