Rider weight at Great Yorkshire

RIDERS can continue to feed MSM without risking positive dope tests, according to the FEI.

After confusion over the naming of MSM as a controlled medication, and specified substance from 2018 (news, 22 June), it has been stated that “nutritional” use should be safe.

Methyl sulphonyl methane is a naturally occurring substance, widely used in feed products.

But the FEI said it is also the major metabolite, the substance into which a drug is broken down in the body, of banned DMSO.

“A very high level of MSM could indicate abuse of DMSO that would be detectable for a longer time,” a spokesman told H&H. “The FEI controls MSM by a high harmonised performance level (agreed reporting level) to ensure any over-use is detected.

“It is highly unlikely that the use of therapeutic MSM (at normal levels) would cause a positive MSM finding.”

The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) said it was “seeking further clarification”.

“[This] statement confirms that, as we thought, normal nutritional use of MSM as used widely in equine feed and supplements will not pose a risk of horses testing positive for banned substances,” said BETA executive director Claire Williams.