Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38994580›Full record

ArticleEquine veterinary journal2025

Should the use of omeprazole be allowed during equestrian competition?

Madeleine L H Campbell, Benjamin W Sykes

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Equine veterinary journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Madeleine L H CampbellSchool of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1123-5828
Benjamin W SykesSchool of Veterinary Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0505-6228

Funding

World Horse Welfare
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPrioritising equine welfare, making evidenced-based policy, and consistent decision-making across sports are crucial to maintaining the social licence for equestrian sport. Regulations on the use of omeprazole during competition differ; all regulators argue that their rules prioritise welfare. This discrepancy is a matter of concern to the public and equestrian stakeholders.

objectivesTo apply Campbell's Ethical Framework for the use of Horses in Sport to the question: 'Should the use of omeprazole be allowed during equestrian competition?' STUDY

designA desk-based ethico-legal study.

methodsCampbell's Ethical Framework for the Use of Horses in Sport was applied in a stepwise fashion: definition of the ethical question; analysis of the evidence base; consideration of stakeholders' interests; harm:benefit analysis; application of the three central tenets of the framework, and formulation of conclusions and recommendations.

resultsStakeholders in equine sports have a variety of (frequently conflicting) interests; all of them share an interest in optimising equine welfare. The incidence of EGUS in competition horses is high. Omeprazole is a cornerstone treatment. There are currently discrepancies in regulation about the use of omeprazole during competitions. Recent evidence suggests that withholding omeprazole treatment for two clear days before competition allows the recurrence of squamous EGUS, whereas withholding treatment on the day of competition only does not have that effect. MAIN LIMITATIONS: The current state of scientific knowledge about the use of omeprazole in horses. The analysis did not consider possible health and thus welfare effects of the out-of-competition treatment with omeprazole.

conclusionsBased on recent scientific evidence, if horses are being treated with omeprazole outside of competition then treatment on the day of competition should be permitted on welfare grounds. Revision of regulations around the use of omeprazole during competition by governing bodies is necessary to safeguard the ethical use of horses in sport.

Indexed as

Animal WelfareAnti-Ulcer AgentsHorse DiseasesOmeprazolePhysical Conditioning, AnimalSportsAnimalsHorsesAnti-Ulcer AgentsOmeprazolecompetitionethicshorseomeprazolesocial licencewelfare

Identifiers

PMID38994580
PMCPMC11982411

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.