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Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
Kentucky Horse Racing Authority amends drug rules
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 14, 2005) - The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority (KHRA) today approved amendments to administrative regulations relating to thoroughbred racing medications and penalties for violations of those rules.
The KHRA made changes after several meetings with veterinarians, trainers, owners and breeders, a public hearing and the receipt of other suggestions during a public comment period. Some changes will make the regulations more in line with the model rules being worked on by the national Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC).
The amendment to the medication regulation clarifies that liniments, antiseptics, antibiotics, ointments, leg paints, washes and other products commonly used in the daily care of horses may be administered as long as they don't contain any drug, medication or substance otherwise prohibited by the regulations and cannot be injected.
Certain anti-ulcer medications will be allowed to be administered with some restrictions. An alkalizing substance that could alter the serum or plasma pH or concentration of bicarbonates or carbon dioxide in a horse may not be given within 24 hours prior to post time for the race in which horse is entered. Possession of a naso-gastric tube is no longer prohibited. The regulation now allows for the use of a naso-gastric tube (a tube longer than six inches) within the 24-hour period prior to race time with the prior permission of the KHRA veterinarian or his/her designee.
Medication classifications were also changed by the KHRA, including the creation of a new class of drugs - Class D drugs - that will include certain medications that were formerly on the Class C schedule. The new Class D drugs will include medications such as Omeprozole, Ranitidine and DMSO.
Penalties for violations of Class C drug and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) offenses were modified. A new penalty is included for a violation involving a Class D drug - a written warning to the trainer and owner. Multiple violations involving a Class D drug may result in a fine and/or suspension.
The original regulations provided that a person suspended for certain offenses should not profit during the suspension period. The regulations now clarify that if a partner in a veterinary practice is suspended, other partners in the practice should not be prevented from providing services to horses as long as the suspended partner does not benefit in any way.
The amended regulations will be filed with the Legislative Research Commission. Meanwhile emergency regulations signed by Gov. Ernie Fletcher in August are still in effect.
During the public comment period, the KHRA received a letter circulated by Arthur Hancock, an internationally known thoroughbred owner/breeder, supporting the medication rule and applauding the authority for its efforts. The letter was signed by 126 people in the industry, representing small- and large-scale thoroughbred farm operations. Support has also been given by, among others, hall of fame jockey Gary Stevens; Darrell Haire, a national representative of The Jockeys Guild; some professional handicappers and bettors, and the president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Twenty-eight pari-mutuel horse racing states have adopted or are in the process of adopting the RMTC Model Medication policy. The consortium is working on developing guidelines on withdrawal times for therapeutic medications. A subcommittee of the Equine Drug Research Council is also working on developing guidelines for withdrawal times and threshold levels.
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