A test able to detect even the smallest amount of insulin in horse urine has recently been developed to aid in the detection of insulin doping in racehorses, according to a group of researchers from the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Racing laboratory.

Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, is primarily used to treat patients with diabetes mellitus. Because horses are rarely diagnosed with this condition, there currently are no pharmaceutical grades of equine insulin commercially available. Thus, affected horses are administered unapproved forms of insulin, including human, pig, and cow insulin as well as synthetic forms.

Because of insulin’s ability to build muscle and improve endurance, the practice of illegally administering insulin to racehorses has become more common.

Scot Waterman, DVM, executive director and chief operating officer of the Racing and Medication & Testing Consortium in Lexington, Ky., said, "Anything that isn’t expressly permitted by rule is prohibited (in racing). Insulin is not permitted so a lab finding would be a violation