Medicines

This page contains useful information on the use of drugs and medicines in horses and links to relevant Associations.

Defra and the VMD, alongside BEVA have developed new guidelines and leaflets which describe the requirements for veterinary surgeons and horse keepers regarding administration of medicines to horses.

The guidelines also provide guidance on record keeping requirements set out in the Regulations for medicinal products used to treat food-producing and non-food producing horses.

For the first time there is agreement as to how a vet should deal with an emergency where no passport is available, the health or welfare of a horse is at risk and treatment with a substance that is not allowed for a food producing animal is required. In these situations an approved form (downloadable from the link on this page) must be completed in duplicate, signed by the vet and the owner (or person responsible).

Copies of the Guidance Notes are available at: VMGNote16.pdf

Copies of the leaflet are available at: leaflet_horses.pdf

Prescribing advice for equine vets can be found on the VMD website VMGNote03.pdf

Essential drugs for use in horses - VMD

Form for Emergency Treatment (No Passport)

Medication control and withdrawl - BHA

RIRDC (Aus) - The Pharmacokinetics of Equine Medications (free to download pdf)