People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said it will "go away" if horse racing addresses its medication issues, and industry officials who have been trying to do just that suggest progress is evident but not recognized.
Kentucky horsemen March 14 were given an overview of impending equine medication changes and also provided with a few tips to avoid headaches when the new regulations take effect later in the spring.
A Jan. 30 meeting of racing stakeholders in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions showed how difficult it can be to achieve uniformity, even with the best intentions or most basic of regulations.
When is a scientific study not a scientific study? That was a question posed by several panelists during a two-hour session on medication Jan. 25 during the National HBPA winter convention.
Here's a follow-up look at racing statistics of juveniles involved in the furosemide observational study results released Dec. 16 by Breeders' Cup from this year's World Championships and two California-bred stakes.
Study finds 2-year-olds racing without race-day furosemide at 2013 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park had fewer and less severe EIPH instances than juveniles who raced with the diuretic that weekend at SA.
Breeders' Cup chairman Bill Farish acknowledged the organization's board of directors has some key issues it needs to address, not the least of which is the host-site selection process.
The Maryland Racing Commission Sept. 17 adopted uniform medication and drug-testing rules as part of a push in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Though Breeders' Cup this year will "monitor the performance" of 2-year-olds that must race without furosemide in its World Championships, the therapeutic medication will be available for use in all races for the 2014 event.
Horses competing in the upcoming Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita Park will form a test sample of the potential effects of running without anti-bleeding medications, but it will be up to their owners whether to participate.
An initial introduction in Kentucky of the Mid-Atlantic Uniform Medication Program received raised eyebrows, but supporters of the changes are encouraged that the important racing state is giving the program consideration.
For the second year in a row, many of horse racing's top owners have pledged to race their juvenile starters without race-day medication.
The West Virginia Racing Commission July 23 unanimously approved revised Thoroughbred racing rules, including several amendments that deal with equine medication and drug testing.
Regulatory administration of race-day anti-bleeding medication in Kentucky has provided a clearer picture of drug testing and produced added security benefits, officials said.
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced May 30 that Flair LLC, maker of FLAIR(r) Equine Nasal Strips, has become an official marketing partner of TOBA.
A study conducted at Kentucky Equine Research indicates that 72 hours after being administered Salix (furosemide, also commonly called Lasix), active horses had difficulty replenishing calcium levels.
The Thoroughbred Owners of California will join regulators from eight states in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast by committing to implement the Mid-Atlantic Uniform Medication Program in January 2014.
The California Horse Racing Board's equine medical director would be restricted to serving no more than two two-year terms consecutively under a state Assembly bill currently before a legislative committee.
Treatment of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage by non-medicinal means was discussed April 9 during a seminar that focused on use of FLAIR Nasal Strips.
Among the speakers for an April 9 seminar on exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage are three trainers, officials announced.
The horse racing industry is taking a closer look at a relaxant that produces optimum results when administered within a few hours of a race. The prevalence of GABA, a supplement, is open to speculation.
With Breeders' Cup at least slowing implementation of its race-day Salix prohibition, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission could revisit its plans to ban use of the diuretic on race day.
Just days before the Breeders' Cup board of directors conducted a vote on Salix use at its world championships, prominent owners Gary and Mary West threatened litigation against the organization.
The New York Racing Association said Feb. 27 it is considering changes in racing surfaces and is examining internal procedures it uses for rule violations.
Breeders' Cup will not expand its prohibition of furosemide to additional championship races this year but opted to continue last year's policy of banning the diuretic in juvenile races and allowing it in all others.
The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association Medication Committee voted Feb. 23 to endorse the use of race-day furosemide, also called Salix or Lasix, at this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships.
The Breeders' Cup Board discussed the scheduled prohibition of race-day furosemide at this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships during a Feb. 22 meeting at Gulfstream Park, but took no action.
Horsemen expect members of Congress to make another attempt at winning support for legislation that would regulate medication use in racehorses by banning all race-day administration.
The Maryland Racing Commission voted Feb. 19 to adopt a uniform equine medication, penalty, and testing program proposed for Thoroughbred and Standardbred racetracks throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
Members passed a resolution supporting The Jockey Club's Reformed Racing Medication Rules including a two-category medication system, progressive points-style penalties, and reciprocity among jurisdictions.
A group of scientists met with representatives of the Thoroughbred Owners of California Jan. 18 to discuss exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhaging and later issued a joint statement supporting use of furosemide.
Legislation calling for a ban on performance-enhancing drugs in horse racing has been sent to the New York Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee.
Mary Simon won her second Eclipse Award for an article examining the history and current state of the race-day use of furosemide (Salix).
Members of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission staff outlined changes that have been put in place to prevent future mistakes in the administration of race-day Salix at the state's tracks.
Kentucky horsemen are losing patience with a new policy that requires regulatory veterinarians to administer furosemide on race day after mistakes have led to horses being scratched on consectutive race days at Churchill.
Trainers Todd Pletcher and Mark Casse took issue with the Breeders' Cup decision banning the anti-bleeding medication furosemide in this year's five juvenile races during the World Thoroughbred Championships.
At its annual conference, IFHA chairman Louis Romanet has applauded the continued efforts of The Jockey Club to prohibit race-day medication in U.S. racing.
A Kentucky state veterinarian accidentally administered furosemide to a racehorse at Keeneland Oct. 5, the first day a new state rule was enacted that requires the medication to be administered by KHRC vets.
Stewards at Turfway Park have slapped trainer Bret Calhoun with a 30-day suspension after a horse in his care tested positive for the prohibited anti-hypertension drug Guanabenz following a win at Churchill Downs May 26.
The West Virginia Racing Commission heard the pros and cons of race-day furosemide use Sept. 17 and pledged to examine the steps necessary to implement mandatory administration of the anti-bleeding drug by third-party vets.
Salix, British Champions Day offer obstacles for Breeders' Cup. read blog
The Kentucky HBPA's statement wasn't the one it hoped to make. read blog
The Kentucky HBPA said Aug. 31 it is "frustrated and extremely disappointed" with the decision by Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear to override a vote by a legislative committee that found new equine medical rules deficient.
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear Aug. 30 said regulations designed to reform some aspects of the state's equine medication policy will be implemented despite action by a legislative committee that found them deficient.
Two national organizations said Aug. 28 they find it "troubling" factions in Kentucky horse racing are opposing medication regulations proposed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission but shot down by a legislative committee.
The California Horse Racing Board's Medication and Track Safety Committee has endorsed proposed changes in race-day administration of furosemide.
The West Virginia Racing Commission has officially scheduled a meeting for Sept. 17 to take comments from industry representatives on the use of furosemide, also known as Salix or Lasix, on race day.
A Kentucky legislative subcommittee, in a surprise vote, found regulations governing equine medication "deficient" Aug. 27, just one week before they are scheduled to take effect.
Furosemide will be the only medication permitted on race day in Kentucky effective Sept. 4, and the drug will be administered by regulatory veterinarians only under new Kentucky Horse Racing Commission rules.
In a change designed to win support of its Reformed Racing Medication Rules, The Jockey Club has added a provision governing regulatory administration of furosemide on race day.
