Are Absorbine Products USEF and FEI Legal?
Animal Care Team
Competition riders must balance routine care with regulatory responsibility. USEF and FEI rules focus on preventing substances that could mask pain or alter performance. Absorbine Horse Care products are designed to support horse health and are not performance enhancing.
Absorbine topical products are generally intended for external use as part of normal horse care, such as post‑exercise cooling or skin cleansing. However, rules can change, and individual horses may react differently. Riders are responsible for understanding current USEF and FEI medication rules, including withdrawal guidance and ingredient restrictions.
We’re often asked about several of our most popular products. Magic Cushion Hoof Packing, Absorbine and Bigeloil Liniments and our supplements. First note, that as long as the product has the Absorbine logo, you can be sure of the ingredients listed on the labels. At the time of this article, all Absorbine products, topical and internal, are allowed in FEI/USEF competition except for Bute-Less Supplements because of the ingredient Devil’s Claw. Allow 7 days after discontinuing use to allow the ingredients to completely wash out of the horse’s system. Bute-Less Performance IS allowed as it does not use Devil’s Claw. Always read labels and consult banned substance lists of the governing body as well as your veterinarian.
Absorbine does not position products as competition medications. Instead, they are commonly used in training, recovery, and daily care routines, with timing and use adjusted around show schedules. When competing, best practice includes reading labels carefully, keeping application logs, and consulting a veterinarian or governing body if questions arise.
