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French team disqualified from the Olympics
eventing
Following the French team's disqualification, Canada now qualifies for Rio 2016 (generic image)
Horse tests positive for banned sedative

A French eventing team has lost its spot in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio after one of its horses tested positive for a controlled medication substance.

Samples taken from the horse, Qalao des Mers, in August last year found Hydroxyethylpromazine sulfoxide. The substance is a metabolite of the sedative, Acepromazine, which is on the FEI prohibited substances list.

Controlled medications are defined as those that are commonly used to treat horses, but are prohibited in competitions to maintain fairness.

The horse and its rider, Maxime Livio, were disqualified along with their team from the eventing competition at the FEI World Equestrian Games 2014.

The FEI Tribunal will make a final decision on further sanctions at a later date.

Livio came fifth in the individual rankings and the team finished fourth in Normandy, securing their slot in the Olympic Games.

Following the French team's disqualification, the Canadian eventing team has moved up to sixth place and qualifies for Rio 2016. Other nations so far competing in next year's games are Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands and Brazil as the host country.

Another case against Livio was dropped earlier this month. A borrowed horse ridden by Livio at a jumping event in Thailand last November initially tested positive but a second sample failed to confirm this.



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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.