Be Careful of Equine Calming Supplements

Phenibut, an ingredient found in some calming supplements can put you on the wrong side of U.S. Equestrian Federation drug rules

If you compete, check supplement labels to make sure what you’re feeding your horse is in line with U.S. Equestrian Federation drug rules. | © Amy K. Dragoo/AIMMEDIA

An ingredient found in some calming supplements can put you on the wrong side of U.S. Equestrian Federation drug rules. Phenibut is a derivative of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), a central nervous-system depressant, and as such it’s considered a forbidden substance under those rules.

Although phenibut is sold as a nutritional supplement, it’s not approved as a pharmaceutical for horses or humans. The USEF sent out an alert about the substance in September after several positive findings in horses who had been given a supplement called Focus Calm from Uckele. 

In a statement, Uckele said that Focus Calm has been reformulated without phenibut and that none of its other products contains the substance. The company will exchange any non-expired, original Focus Calm for the new formula. If you have some, contact Uckele at customerservice@uckele.com or (800) 248-0330. 

This article originally appeared in the December 2015 issue of Practical Horseman.

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