Uniform Drug Program Picking Up Support
Multiple racing jurisdictions have adopted all or parts of the National Uniform Medication Program, with others expected to be on board by the end of this year.
Medication
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Medication
Identifying At-Risk Racehorses a Priority
As the North American Thoroughbred industry continues its quest to lower the catastrophic breakdown rate, it is actively pushing the need to identify at-risk racehorses, even if the effort makes stakeholders uncomfortable.
National Uniform Medication Program Gets Push
The National Uniform Medication Program wasn't on the agenda at the recent American Horse Council convention, but progress on that front was addressed during forums and in conversations among attendees.
WGOH: Better Questions to Answer
The Jockey Club should push for more in-depth furosemide research. read blog
USTA to Fund Research Into Cobalt Use
The United States Trotting Association said June 16 it will fund a project designed to develop regulatory controls for the use of cobalt in racehorses.
Jockey Club Improves Vet Record Archive
Owners who voluntarily decide to make their horse's veterinary records public can now upload those records to a page hosted by horseracingreform.org, The Jockey Club announced today.
WV Panel OKs Penalty System, Drug Thresholds
The West Virginia Racing Commission May 20 signed off on several new regulations, including one that will allow the state to participate in the multiple medication violation penalty system that is part national model rules.
KY Out-of-Competition Tests Come Back Clean
Out-of-competition testing on more than 75 horses nominated to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks (both gr. I), as well as other stakes on the May 2-3 cards at Churchill Downs, came back clean.
Indiana Adopts Model Rules; Group Has Doubts
The Indiana Horse Racing Commission April 30 adopted the Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule and multiple medication violation penalty system, but a watchdog organization said it's premature to call it uniformity.
Action on Federal Bills Appears Longshot
The odds for Congress passing legislation related to equine medication and Internet gambling this year are long, a Washington, D.C.-based official said May 1 during the University of Kentucky Equine Law Conference.
PETA Remains Mum on Release of 'Evidence'
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said April 30 it has far more evidence gleaned from an undercover investigator in trainer Steve Asmussen's barn in 2013, but gave no indication when it intends to make it public.
OSRC, Trainer Hamm Have Settlement Agreement
The Ohio State Racing Commission April 30 announced a settlement agreement with trainer Tim Hamm over a 2013 medication positive involving the eventual Ohio horse of the year.
Indiana Commission to Consider Drug Rules
The Indiana Horse Racing Commission April 30 will consider adoption of new equine mediation rules for Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, and Standardbred racing.
FL Legislature Holds Fate of Drug Reforms
Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse stakeholders in Florida said they are united in backing the National Uniform Medication Program, but its fate lies with the state legislature.
How Hong Kong's On-Track Pharmacies Work
Dr. Christopher Riggs, head of veterinary clinic services for The Hong Kong Jockey Club, provides insight into how medication is dispensed and monitored at the HKJC racetracks.
What's Going On Here: Medication's Mavericks
Controversial on-track pharmacies being promoted by Stronach read blog
Model Drug Rules in Place for Delaware Meet
The National Uniform Medication Program will be in place when Delaware Park begins its 2014 racing season May 17, according to the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission.
WV to Tackle Latest Round of Model Rules
Thoroughbred industry stakeholders in West Virginia will meet May 6 to consider changes in the state's racing rules, including a few related to the National Uniform Medication Program.
Phipps: Make Public Triple Crown Vet Records
The chairman of The Jockey Club April 14 called for public release of the veterinary records of all horses entered in this year's Triple Crown races, and also said the industry should partner with USADA to push drug reform.
National HBPA Endorses Changes in Drug Rules
The National HBPA said April 11 it supports changes made by the Association of Racing Commissioners International in regard to uniform medication regulations.
RCI Chief: Industry Must Get Its Act Together
The president of horse racing's umbrella regulatory group said the tendency for self-flagellation and participants' refusal to take responsibility for their actions--or lack of action--is a major threat to the future.
What's Going On Here: Uniformity's Minefield
Florida and Arkansas illustrate the challenges in obtaining uniformity. read blog
Industry Told to Drop Hammer to Force Reforms
Racing regulators and other industry officials were told April 7 they should use existing tools to push states to adopt the National Uniform Medication Program.
Waldrop: Uniform Drug Rules Must Be Adopted
Racing jurisdictions have made progress on equine medication reform but states and their regulatory agencies must commit to move quickly and in unison, said Alex Waldrop, president of the NTRA and chairman of the RMTC.
RCI Chair Pushes States to Act on Reforms
The outgoing chairman of the Association of Racing Commissioners International said it is "vitally important" racing jurisdictions adopt the National Uniform Medication Program as soon as possible.
ROAP Officials Examine Changes in Industry
Racing officials and regulators gathered April 1 acknowledged a need for transparency, consistency, and quick, cohesive action in response to high-profile incidents.
Foreman: Pace of Drug Reform 'Unprecedented'
Alan Foreman responds to criticism that little progress has been made on medication reform.
PETA Makes Case; Medication Reforms Touted
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.
Survey Results: Racehorses Receive Good Care
A survey of more than 800 people conducted by HorsePlayerNOW.com, a fan education website that hosts the weekly "Night School" program, indicates a strong belief that racehorses are well cared for in Thoroughbred racing.
Groups Step Up Call for Model Drug Rules
Racing industry organizations have greatly stepped up their call for swift adoption of national model rules on medication and drug testing in the wake of probes into allegations of mistreatment and over-medication of horses.
NY, KY Regulators to Probe PETA Allegations
The New York Gaming Commission said March 20 it is investigating allegations of "abuse and mistreatment" of Thoroughbreds after receiving information gleaned from an undercover investigation performed by PETA.
Report: PETA Probe Alleges Cruelty to Horses
A major Thoroughbred racing stable was the subject of a 2013 undercover investigation by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which alleges over-medication of and cruelty to horses.
KHRC Drug Tests: Turfway Meet 'Cleanest'
A horsemen's meeting on upcoming equine medication changes in Kentucky revealed some interesting information: The four months of racing at Turfway Park are the "cleanest" in the state according to drug-testing results.
Kentucky Horsemen Prepped on New Drug Rules
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.
NYRA Committee Eyes House Rule on 'Stacking'
A New York Racing Association committee could recommend to the full board of directors adoption of a house rule to combat use of multiple non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
At Large: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (14)
- By Tom LaMarra
More musings on the horse racing industry, and some unanswered questions. read blog
WV Court Upholds Penalties for Trainer Grove
A circuit court in West Virginia has upheld the penalties levied against trainer Chris Grove for a Class 1 positive at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in 2012.
When Is Uniformity Not Really Uniformity?
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.
Mid-Atlantic Moves Forward With Drug Reform
Racing jurisdictions concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions are finding progress to be a subjective term: Much has been accomplished, but much remains to be done.
Drug Policies Questioned at HBPA Convention
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.
Drug Penalty System Next Up in West Virginia
The West Virginia Racing Commission will soon consider a penalty system for drug violations that dovetails with uniform model rules making their way through the state legislature.
Proposed Drug Rules Debated in New York
The New York Gaming Commission, during a Jan. 21 public hearing, heard the pros and cons of having different medication rules for Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses.
Booklet on MD Medication Guidelines Released
A booklet put together by several individuals at the forefront of equine medication reform has been prepared for Maryland, which will enact the Mid-Atlantic Uniform Medication and Drug-Testing Program Jan. 1, 2014.
Kentucky Steps Toward Medication Uniformity
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on Dec. 11 approved changes to its withdrawal time guidelines for all racing breeds in line with the national uniform medication rules.
Drug Testing Not Without Its Challenges
Out-of-competition testing of racehorses has broad support, but important issues such as the constitutional rights of licensees has made use and enforcement difficult for regulators.
Multi-Breed Drug Uniformity No Easy Task
Amid another call for separate medication rules for Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds, the Ohio State Racing Commission has indicated it's not prepared to adopt a uniform national drug policy.
KY Drug Panel OKs Model Rule for Most Breeds
The Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council, on a 4-2 vote Dec. 3, recommended the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission adopt the national uniform medication rules for Thoroughbred racing.
Subcommittee Debates Racing Safety, Integrity
In considering newest wrinkle to add federal oversight in horse racing, this time through the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), a House subcommittee discussed the sport's equine health and integrity issues Nov. 21.
Medication, Testing Reforms Gain Support
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has reported that the effort to adopt uniform national reforms addressing changes to medication regulation, enforcement, and laboratory testing continues to gain support.
USTA Creates Medication Advisory Committee
The United States Trotting Association, which in late September dropped out of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium and rejected model medication rules approved by RCI, has created its own drug advisory committee.
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