Cobalt is an essential micronutriment required for the formation of vitamin B12 complex, directly involved in the oxygen transport of red blood cells and may replace the zinc, cofactor in enzymes. In humans, it has been shown that cobalt administration stimulated erythropoiesis, increasing concentration of EPO, the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Cobalt is therefore a substance called « EPO LIKE » which increases sport performance.
In horses, recent cases of blood doping with cobalt have been uncovered (by injection). Therefore, some news thresholds in the blood and urine samples have been defined by SECF (Société d'Encouragement du Cheval Français) for racehorses. In equestrian sports, the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) mentioned the cobalt as a controlled substance in the fight against doping in horses, which it will retain in 2018.
In order to follow regulatory rules, cobalt will be remove from our HORSE MASTER products for sports and racing horses. For nutritional raison, cobalt will be retain in some products (including in breeding line). Please, note by the end of 2017, cobalt will be remove on the following products:
EQUISPORT PERFORMANCE
EQUISPORT GESTATION
EQUISPORT YEARLING
EQUISPORT 4.13
EQUISPORT ELECTROLYTES
RED POWER BOOSTER
ORAL XB
FERROSUPERGEN.