Capsaicin product proclaims it will 'not test positive'
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KNOWN as "Deep Heat for horses", the banned substance which may have cost Denis Lynch a medal is not available in Ireland.
Capsaicin is, however, available on the internet and is popular in equestrian circles in the form of the product Equi-Block.
One website that sells the product said Racehorse Strength Equi-Block is the number one equine topical pain reliever sold worldwide.
"The reason for this is simple -- effectiveness and results," it proclaims.
"Racehorse Strength Equi-Block will not scurf or blister and will absolutely not test positive."
The international equestrian body, the FEI, operates a zero tolerance policy towards capsaicin because its pain-relieving abilities are seen as performance enhancing.
Yesterday, a member of its veterinary committee, Paul Ferrington, described capsaicin as "a derivation of the chilli pepper".
He said it had a burning effect and a pain-killing effect and was not fully-licensed.
"It is a forbidden product. By producing pain relief it can affect performance -- hypersensitisation can make horses jump better in competition," he said.
- Anne Marie Walsh
