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Phytotherapy

Devil's claw

Harpagophytum procumbens

Mechanism

The secondary root contains iridoid glycosides, above all harpagoside. Because of this pharmacological direction the FEI has listed the substance harpagoside as Controlled Medication (class B) since 1 January 2016 — a substance with therapeutic value that can affect performance and therefore requires a withdrawal period before competition, while not being prohibited outside competition. What is listed is the constituent, not the plant: the harpagoside content of a given product is what matters, and it varies considerably with standardisation. No FEI detection time has been published for harpagoside; the FEI points out that a detection time is not a withdrawal time in any case, and that the withdrawal period must be set by the treating veterinarian.

Cautions

· FEI: harpagoside is Controlled Medication (class B) — a withdrawal period applies before competition; it is not prohibited outside competition
· No published FEI detection time for harpagoside — the withdrawal period is set by the treating veterinarian
· Harpagoside content varies between products; no blanket withdrawal figure can be derived from it
· National rulebooks (e.g. LPO/ADMR, APO) may differ — check separately before the start
· Bitter compounds stimulate gastric secretion; use sparingly in gastric-sensitive horses

Sources

FEI EPSL 2026FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List 2026 — Harpagoside, Controlled Medication (Klasse B)

PMID:18222060Harpagophytum anti-inflammatory review

PMID:17212570Brien et al. 2006 (J Altern Complement Med) — Review Teufelskralle bei Arthrose

DOI:10.1111/jvp.12716Axmann et al. 2019 (J Vet Pharmacol Ther) — Pharmakokinetik von Harpagosid beim Pferd nach intragastraler Gabe

Equiterna Score

71/100

solid

Science8.1/10

Practical experience8/10

Safety5/10

Overall score scale

high overall75–100solid55–74limited0–54

How the Equiterna Score is built

The Equiterna Score combines three dimensions into a value of 0-100: science (40%), practical experience (30%) and safety (30%). It is transparently derived from evidence level, attributed sources (PubMed/journals), legal classification and cautions. The FEI doping status is shown separately as a competition-law note and does not enter the score. Commissions and vendor relationships have no influence on the score. In addition, the editorial safety rating caps the result: it limits the safety dimension and the overall tier (orange: at most solid). For entries rated red, no score is calculated at all. The rating never raises anything — a green rating does not lift a calculated value.

An editorial assessment of the evidence and safety situation — not a healing claim and not an individual recommendation. It does not replace veterinary advice.

DosageReference value 15-25 g of standardised, cut or powdered secondary root per day for a ~600 kg horse; the equine PK study used 5-10 mg/kg harpagoside as a single dose. Reference values, not a recommendation for use — dosing and withdrawal belong in veterinary hands.

AMG statusComplementary feed

FEI statusControlled (withdrawal)

SafetyIncreased caution

Evidencemoderate

Products containing Devil's claw

Gelenke

Nr. 3 Drachentöter

Dr. Weyrauch

Not orderable →

Gelenke

Herbs Gelenk-Fit

Höveler

Not orderable →

Gelenke

Teufelskralle

PerNaturam

Not orderable →

Gelenke

Multi-Flex

Hilton Herbs

Not orderable →

Nerven & Muskel

Essential No. 4 Kräftige Muskeln

Laurel Nature

Not orderable →

Knowledge connections

Related conditions

Osteoarthritis (OA) →traditionally anti-inflammatory — FEI: prohibited (competition!)

Bone Spavin (Osteoarthritis of the Tarsal Joints) →traditionally used for joint topics — FEI: doping-relevant, prohibited in competition

Navicular Syndrome (Podotrochlosis) →traditionally used for movement topics — FEI: doping-relevant, prohibited in competition

Journal articles on this compound

FEI-Doping-Liste 2026 — was sich für Phytotherapeutika ändert →

All sources in the study library →

Usage note

This content is for information and education. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your horse shows signs of illness, consult a veterinarian.

“Nothing forced can ever be beautiful.”

Xenophon · On Horsemanship (c. 365 BC)

Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is study-attributed and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.