Listed below is a package intended to assist the participants in the racing industry to treat horses effectively without contravening any of the Rules and Instructions of Racing:
Press release from the European Horseracing Scientific Liaison Committee (EHSLC) on detection times for a number of veterinary drugs
Guidelines for practising veterinary surgeons issued by the EHSLC
An explanation of the definition of a Prohibited Substance
An explanation of Instruction C7 - related to the administration of substances to horses on racecourse premises
An explanation of Instruction C8 - recording medication given to horses in training
An explanation of Instruction C9 - a medication code of practice for horses in training
The use of search powers on a racecourse - Rule 1 A (xxi)
Penalties for contravening the Rules and Instructions - Guide to Procedures and Penalties
The information in this package is intended to explain the relevant Rules and Instructions and must be read in conjunction with them.Prohibited Substances - Instruction C1A Prohibited Substance is defined as a substance originating externally, whether or not it is endogenous to the horse, which falls into one of the following categories:
Substances capable at any time of acting on one or more mammalian body systems
Endocrine secretions and their synthetic counterparts
Masking agents
In simple terms, the definition of Prohibited Substances means that any substance that has been given to a horse in any way, including in its food, and that could have an effect on the horse, is prohibited. This remains true even if the horse can produce the substance itself, but for those substances, such as testosterone and hydrocortisone, there are internationally agreed thresholds, below which no action is taken.
This is a very broad definition for a Prohibited Substance and reflects the determination of virtually all racing authorities to ensure that horses run free of the effects of any drugs. It includes all drugs, and many supplements, whether they are of natural origin or not. The only drugs which we monitor, but do not call as positives, are anti-infectious agents, that is antibiotics, ringworm treatments and wormers. However:
Procaine penicillin (white injection, looks like milk) is prohibited since procaine is a local anaesthetic
Levamisole, a wormer used in farm animals, is prohibited in horses where it is sometimes used to stimulate the immune system
NB Although anti-infectious agents are not called as positives, do not forget that:
horses with active ringworm infections should not be taken to the racecourse.
horses that have had a bacterial infection in the recent past may not be fit to run.
few trainers would consider running a horse shortly after worming it.
You should assume that any drug or supplement that has, or claims to have, an effect on horses (or any other species) is prohibited unless you have specific advice from an HRA Veterinary Officer that it is not. It is generally true that anything (other than normal food and water by mouth) that you give a horse, by mouth, injection or nebulisation in the hope or belief that it will have an effect on a horse or its performance, in any way, is a Prohibited Substance.
Not all Prohibited Substances are detectable in racing laboratories but they are still prohibited. Where such substances are of concern to racing authorities they will encourage their laboratories to develop new methods to detect them. Do not forget that some samples that have been declared negative are frozen and will be reanalysed if/when new methods are developed.
All veterinary drugs are Prohibited Substances (see the reference to anti-infectious agents above), but their use is often essential to treat a disease or injury. It is, therefore important to terminate treatment at an appropriate time before a horse races again and that is the purpose of the detection time information which is included in this package.
While the use of Prohibited Substances for veterinary treatment, with a suitable withdrawal period, is perfectly acceptable, Rule 200 says that it is an offence to administer a Prohibited Substance to a horse with the intention of affecting its racing performance (whether or not the drug is detected in a sample taken from the horse).Instructions C7 and C9 - the administration of substances to horses on racecourse premises and on the day of a raceThe Instruction C9 says that nothing can be given to a horse, other than normal food and water by mouth, after midnight on the day of a race and until the horse has completed the race. If anything is given, in contravention of this Instruction, the horse is not qualified to start in the race and will be a non-runner. This applies whether or not the horse is on the racecourse when the substance is given.
There are additional Instructions (C7) once the horse is in the racecourse stables and the stable guard is on duty. Clearly, on the day of the race, nothing can be given to the horse but if a horse is in the racecourse stables on the day(s) before its race it still can only be given normal food and water.
There is an exception to both C7 and C9 that the administration of a substance can be sanctioned by a Veterinary Officer. While you should check with Veterinary Officer if you are in any doubt, the following guidelines apply:
It is acceptable to give electrolytes orally after the race
In general it is not acceptable to give anything before the race. This includes pastes that are intended to aid breathing or contain herbal diuretics. However, a Veterinary Officer may give a dispensation to administer a limited number of substances orally, for example, glycerine.
Nothing may be given by injection, on the day of a race or while a horse is in the racecourse stables on the days preceding a race.
Instruction C7 contains a further important restriction that says that only an HRA Veterinary Officer, or Racecourse Veterinary Surgeon, can take into a stable yard a Prohibited Substance or any means of administering a Prohibited Substance.
Medication Code of Practice (Instruction C9)In addition to prohibiting the administration of any substance on the day of a race, this Instruction also says that all treatments must be given in the best health and welfare interests of the horse. This means that drugs should only be used when the horse has a problem and that the veterinary surgeon prescribing the treatment should advise on the appropriate level of exercise for the horse to take during treatment. If a horse is not trainable as a result of disease or injury, it should be treated before training is resumed. Drugs should not be used, under any circumstances, to allow an apparently normal horse to be trained harder.
Recording medication given to horses in training (Instruction C8)This Instruction requires that all treatments given to any horse under the care of a trainer, whether in training or not, must be recorded. A treatment is defined as any administration of a Prohibited Substance. From the section on Prohibited Substances, this means that all treatments have to be recorded, except those with anti-infectious agents. However, it is strongly recommended that these, too, are fully documented as good management practice.
The record can be kept in several formats as long as all of the necessary details of the treatment are included. The NTF treatment record book has been the standard method of recording treatment but a new, computerised recording system will soon be available to all trainers. This will be in the form of an addition to the Weatherbys Racing Administration Site that is already used by many trainers.
The record uses drop down menus to make it as simple as possible to use and, where treatment is elected for more than one day, a reminder will appear on the system each day. Any trainer who may be interested in using the system should contact Lynn Hillyer on LHillyer@HFL.co.uk. The use of search powers on a racecourseThe Rules have been recently amended to give officials the power to inspect any vehicles used to transport horses to or from a racecourse, take samples or custody of any feedstuffs or other materials as necessary and to search persons on licensed premises. On the face of it, these sound like far reaching powers but it is very important to appreciate that they will only be used under very defined conditions. In summary:
Random searches will never be undertaken
The only time that the search powers will be used will be as a consequence of a related incident. For example, if a person is suspected of having interfered with a horse in the stableyard, (s)he may be asked to turn out his/her pockets.
The searches will never be intrusive, but cursory, simple searches that the police do on a daily basis on the street.
Searches will only be conducted on the instruction of the Director of Security or his deputy.5. Any Official carrying out a search will have been trained by a senior member of the Security Department. Penalties related to the misuse of (Prohibited) Substances STEWARDS OF MEETINGS
ENTRY POINT
RANGE
C7
Possession of a prohibited substance in racecourse stables
£1000
£750 - £1500
or refer
C7
Possession of any means of administering a prohibited substance in racecourse stables
£750
£500 - £1000
or refer
C8
Inadequate Medication Records
£300
£250 - £750
C9
Failure to obtain permission to administer an allowable substance
Band C (£300)
C9
Substance given on day of race for which permission would not be granted
Horse must not run - Refer
DISCIPLINARY PANEL
ENTRY POINT
RANGE
C9
Substance given on day of race for which permission would not be granted
£1500
Suspend horse for 20 days
If horse has run - disqualify
£1000 - £2000
Reducing the Risk of Positive Drug Tests in HorseracingThe European Horserace Scientific Liaison Committee (EHSLC) has published guidelines to help practising veterinary surgeons to minimise the risk of positive drug tests on racehorses following routine, legitimate treatment.
There are three reasons for having rules to control the use of drugs in horse racing:
i) To ensure fair competition;ii) To protect the welfare of racehorses; andiii) To protect the breed.
However, the Rules of Racing are not intended to discourage the proper veterinary treatment of racehorses if such treatment would not threaten any of these three important objectives. The use of medication to treat illness and injury during normal racehorse training carries an inherent risk of incurring a positive drug test on race-day if insufficient time has elapsed for elimination of the drug from the horse. Recognising this, the EHSLC co-ordinated a series of administration studies in France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland and Italy, with the aim of producing information for horseracing veterinarians and to ensure a harmonised approach to drug detection.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in the management of injury. They are also the most common group of drugs reported as prohibited substances. They were therefore the first group of substances chosen by the EHSLC for publication of detection time guidelines, along with the diuretic furosemide.
Information on the following list of substances is now available from the regulatory authorities in each of the EHSLC countries:CarprofenDipyroneEltenacFlunixinKetoprofenMeloxicamPhenylbutazoneVedaprofen andFurosemide
Information on further drugs will be published from time to time as results from the on-going drug administration programme become available.
The EHSLC was formed in 1992 as a result of discussion between the Stewards of France, Great Britain and Ireland on the wish for greater co-operation between the racing authorities of those countries to harmonise technical doping control policies and procedures. Germany and Italy later joined as full members.
The aims of EHSLC are:
- to harmonise sample testing procedures and policies- to engender co-operation in research relating to the suppression of doping- to provide a forum for the exchange of information- to unify views on doping control
The overriding intention is to create a common environment to ensure best practice standards such that, in whichever of the member countries a horse is raced, the horse and its connections are treated, in all key matters of principle, in the same way.EHSLC Information for Practising Veterinary SurgeonsIntroductionThere are three reasons for having rules to control the use of drugs in horse racing:
i) To ensure fair competition;ii) To protect the welfare of racehorses; andiii) To protect the breed
However, the Rules of Racing are not intended to discourage the proper veterinary treatment of racehorses if such treatment would not threaten any of these three important objectives.
The information which follows has been provided by the European Horserace Scientific Liaison Committee. It is intended to help veterinary surgeons to give advice as to when racehorses may be raced under the Rules of Racing in Great Britain, Ireland, France, Germany or Italy following treatment for clinical problems.
Information is given on the observed Detection Times for drugs after they have been administered to horses at the reported dose rates. However, veterinary surgeons using this information should be aware of its limitations. These are set out in the latter portion of this advisory document.
A number of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were chosen by the EHSLC as the first group of substances chosen for publication of detection time guidelines, along with the diuretic furosemide. This reflects the common use of these substances in routine veterinary management of racehorses across Europe and also the fact that they are the most common group of drugs reported as prohibited substances in drug testing programmes across the world. Information on the Detection Time for the following list of substances is now available:
Detection Time definition: the time at which the urinary concentration of the drug, or its metabolites or isomers, in all the horses in the study was below the limit of detection for the drug using routine or standard screening methods.
The limits of detection are harmonised between the laboratories of the five member countries.
Second tranche of Detection Times for publication
Lotes$ prepared according to Johansson et al J Pharmaceutical & biomedical analysis (1986) 4,2 171-179LIMITATIONS
The EHSLC reminds veterinary surgeons of the following:
The Rules of Racing regarding prohibited substances continue to apply a strict liability on the trainer and the promulgation of this information does not alter this. Therefore veterinary surgeons should use their professional judgement when they are asked for advice.
In the administration studies, the drugs were administered at the manufacturer's recommended dose using the usual route of administration to a limited number of horses under controlled, scientific conditions.
The following points should be clearly noted in respect of the stated detection times:
In the experiments, the drugs were administered only to healthy horses under controlled, scientific conditions. These horses were not exercised under conditions that might be expected in routine training.
The use of these drugs therapeutically in unhealthy animals may result in longer detection times due to a number of factors, including variation in urine pH, altered biotransformation and/or excretory processes.
The effect of training /exercise programmes, different diet and stable management may cause variation in drug elimination.
The detection times are valid only in respect of the particular formulation, dose or dosage regimen employed.
In the case of oral administration, the use of different proprietary formulations may result in different detection times on account of variations in oral bioavailability.Repeat oral dosing will alter the detection time due to possible drug accumulation.The stated detection times reflect only the precise conditions of the administration protocol used for the scientific study. Veterinary surgeons should therefore regard these data as information. There may be variables encountered in routine treatment of horses in training that affect drug elimination.
Irrespective of the route of administration, there is a risk that a horse may ingest excreted drug from the bedding of its stable (thus increasing the detection time unpredictably) if its stable is not regularly and carefully cleaned out after the treatment has been administered.
In the event of the detection of two or more pharmacologically related substances, or any substance and a diuretic, in official samples collected for drug surveillance programmes, the laboratory has been instructed to use any available method, with maximum sensitivity, to confirm the presence of both drugs in the sample.
The ‘Detection Times' given here are not synonymous with ‘Withdrawal Times'. To decide a withdrawal time an adequate safety margin must be added to the stated detection time. This safety margin must be chosen by the treating veterinarian using his/her professional judgement and discretion, to allow for biological, pharmaceutical and pharmacological variation, so as to minimise the possibility that a positive finding will occur on the day of racing.
It is incumbent on the veterinary surgeon to exercise full professional judgement, taking into account all relevant circumstances, and the most up to date information, before advising when a horse may safely race after drug treatment.
This information supersedes any data previously circulated by EHSLC.
The EHSLC makes the detection time data available in good faith as an aid to the exercise of professional judgment only, which should be sought in all cases. No liability or responsibility or duty of care is accepted by the EHSLC in respect of the direct or indirect consequences of any person using or relying on the data, which they do entirely at their own risk.
Press release from the European Horseracing Scientific Liaison Committee (EHSLC) on detection times for a number of veterinary drugs
Guidelines for practising veterinary surgeons issued by the EHSLC
An explanation of the definition of a Prohibited Substance
An explanation of Instruction C7 - related to the administration of substances to horses on racecourse premises
An explanation of Instruction C8 - recording medication given to horses in training
An explanation of Instruction C9 - a medication code of practice for horses in training
The use of search powers on a racecourse - Rule 1 A (xxi)
Penalties for contravening the Rules and Instructions - Guide to Procedures and Penalties
The information in this package is intended to explain the relevant Rules and Instructions and must be read in conjunction with them.Prohibited Substances - Instruction C1A Prohibited Substance is defined as a substance originating externally, whether or not it is endogenous to the horse, which falls into one of the following categories:
Substances capable at any time of acting on one or more mammalian body systems
Endocrine secretions and their synthetic counterparts
Masking agents
In simple terms, the definition of Prohibited Substances means that any substance that has been given to a horse in any way, including in its food, and that could have an effect on the horse, is prohibited. This remains true even if the horse can produce the substance itself, but for those substances, such as testosterone and hydrocortisone, there are internationally agreed thresholds, below which no action is taken.
This is a very broad definition for a Prohibited Substance and reflects the determination of virtually all racing authorities to ensure that horses run free of the effects of any drugs. It includes all drugs, and many supplements, whether they are of natural origin or not. The only drugs which we monitor, but do not call as positives, are anti-infectious agents, that is antibiotics, ringworm treatments and wormers. However:
Procaine penicillin (white injection, looks like milk) is prohibited since procaine is a local anaesthetic
Levamisole, a wormer used in farm animals, is prohibited in horses where it is sometimes used to stimulate the immune system
NB Although anti-infectious agents are not called as positives, do not forget that:
horses with active ringworm infections should not be taken to the racecourse.
horses that have had a bacterial infection in the recent past may not be fit to run.
few trainers would consider running a horse shortly after worming it.
You should assume that any drug or supplement that has, or claims to have, an effect on horses (or any other species) is prohibited unless you have specific advice from an HRA Veterinary Officer that it is not. It is generally true that anything (other than normal food and water by mouth) that you give a horse, by mouth, injection or nebulisation in the hope or belief that it will have an effect on a horse or its performance, in any way, is a Prohibited Substance.
Not all Prohibited Substances are detectable in racing laboratories but they are still prohibited. Where such substances are of concern to racing authorities they will encourage their laboratories to develop new methods to detect them. Do not forget that some samples that have been declared negative are frozen and will be reanalysed if/when new methods are developed.
All veterinary drugs are Prohibited Substances (see the reference to anti-infectious agents above), but their use is often essential to treat a disease or injury. It is, therefore important to terminate treatment at an appropriate time before a horse races again and that is the purpose of the detection time information which is included in this package.
While the use of Prohibited Substances for veterinary treatment, with a suitable withdrawal period, is perfectly acceptable, Rule 200 says that it is an offence to administer a Prohibited Substance to a horse with the intention of affecting its racing performance (whether or not the drug is detected in a sample taken from the horse).Instructions C7 and C9 - the administration of substances to horses on racecourse premises and on the day of a raceThe Instruction C9 says that nothing can be given to a horse, other than normal food and water by mouth, after midnight on the day of a race and until the horse has completed the race. If anything is given, in contravention of this Instruction, the horse is not qualified to start in the race and will be a non-runner. This applies whether or not the horse is on the racecourse when the substance is given.
There are additional Instructions (C7) once the horse is in the racecourse stables and the stable guard is on duty. Clearly, on the day of the race, nothing can be given to the horse but if a horse is in the racecourse stables on the day(s) before its race it still can only be given normal food and water.
There is an exception to both C7 and C9 that the administration of a substance can be sanctioned by a Veterinary Officer. While you should check with Veterinary Officer if you are in any doubt, the following guidelines apply:
It is acceptable to give electrolytes orally after the race
In general it is not acceptable to give anything before the race. This includes pastes that are intended to aid breathing or contain herbal diuretics. However, a Veterinary Officer may give a dispensation to administer a limited number of substances orally, for example, glycerine.
Nothing may be given by injection, on the day of a race or while a horse is in the racecourse stables on the days preceding a race.
Instruction C7 contains a further important restriction that says that only an HRA Veterinary Officer, or Racecourse Veterinary Surgeon, can take into a stable yard a Prohibited Substance or any means of administering a Prohibited Substance.
Medication Code of Practice (Instruction C9)In addition to prohibiting the administration of any substance on the day of a race, this Instruction also says that all treatments must be given in the best health and welfare interests of the horse. This means that drugs should only be used when the horse has a problem and that the veterinary surgeon prescribing the treatment should advise on the appropriate level of exercise for the horse to take during treatment. If a horse is not trainable as a result of disease or injury, it should be treated before training is resumed. Drugs should not be used, under any circumstances, to allow an apparently normal horse to be trained harder.
Recording medication given to horses in training (Instruction C8)This Instruction requires that all treatments given to any horse under the care of a trainer, whether in training or not, must be recorded. A treatment is defined as any administration of a Prohibited Substance. From the section on Prohibited Substances, this means that all treatments have to be recorded, except those with anti-infectious agents. However, it is strongly recommended that these, too, are fully documented as good management practice.
The record can be kept in several formats as long as all of the necessary details of the treatment are included. The NTF treatment record book has been the standard method of recording treatment but a new, computerised recording system will soon be available to all trainers. This will be in the form of an addition to the Weatherbys Racing Administration Site that is already used by many trainers.
The record uses drop down menus to make it as simple as possible to use and, where treatment is elected for more than one day, a reminder will appear on the system each day. Any trainer who may be interested in using the system should contact Lynn Hillyer on LHillyer@HFL.co.uk. The use of search powers on a racecourseThe Rules have been recently amended to give officials the power to inspect any vehicles used to transport horses to or from a racecourse, take samples or custody of any feedstuffs or other materials as necessary and to search persons on licensed premises. On the face of it, these sound like far reaching powers but it is very important to appreciate that they will only be used under very defined conditions. In summary:
Random searches will never be undertaken
The only time that the search powers will be used will be as a consequence of a related incident. For example, if a person is suspected of having interfered with a horse in the stableyard, (s)he may be asked to turn out his/her pockets.
The searches will never be intrusive, but cursory, simple searches that the police do on a daily basis on the street.
Searches will only be conducted on the instruction of the Director of Security or his deputy.5. Any Official carrying out a search will have been trained by a senior member of the Security Department. Penalties related to the misuse of (Prohibited) Substances STEWARDS OF MEETINGS
ENTRY POINT
RANGE
C7
Possession of a prohibited substance in racecourse stables
£1000
£750 - £1500
or refer
C7
Possession of any means of administering a prohibited substance in racecourse stables
£750
£500 - £1000
or refer
C8
Inadequate Medication Records
£300
£250 - £750
C9
Failure to obtain permission to administer an allowable substance
Band C (£300)
C9
Substance given on day of race for which permission would not be granted
Horse must not run - Refer
DISCIPLINARY PANEL
ENTRY POINT
RANGE
C9
Substance given on day of race for which permission would not be granted
£1500
Suspend horse for 20 days
If horse has run - disqualify
£1000 - £2000
Reducing the Risk of Positive Drug Tests in HorseracingThe European Horserace Scientific Liaison Committee (EHSLC) has published guidelines to help practising veterinary surgeons to minimise the risk of positive drug tests on racehorses following routine, legitimate treatment.
There are three reasons for having rules to control the use of drugs in horse racing:
i) To ensure fair competition;ii) To protect the welfare of racehorses; andiii) To protect the breed.
However, the Rules of Racing are not intended to discourage the proper veterinary treatment of racehorses if such treatment would not threaten any of these three important objectives. The use of medication to treat illness and injury during normal racehorse training carries an inherent risk of incurring a positive drug test on race-day if insufficient time has elapsed for elimination of the drug from the horse. Recognising this, the EHSLC co-ordinated a series of administration studies in France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland and Italy, with the aim of producing information for horseracing veterinarians and to ensure a harmonised approach to drug detection.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in the management of injury. They are also the most common group of drugs reported as prohibited substances. They were therefore the first group of substances chosen by the EHSLC for publication of detection time guidelines, along with the diuretic furosemide.
Information on the following list of substances is now available from the regulatory authorities in each of the EHSLC countries:CarprofenDipyroneEltenacFlunixinKetoprofenMeloxicamPhenylbutazoneVedaprofen andFurosemide
Information on further drugs will be published from time to time as results from the on-going drug administration programme become available.
The EHSLC was formed in 1992 as a result of discussion between the Stewards of France, Great Britain and Ireland on the wish for greater co-operation between the racing authorities of those countries to harmonise technical doping control policies and procedures. Germany and Italy later joined as full members.
The aims of EHSLC are:
- to harmonise sample testing procedures and policies- to engender co-operation in research relating to the suppression of doping- to provide a forum for the exchange of information- to unify views on doping control
The overriding intention is to create a common environment to ensure best practice standards such that, in whichever of the member countries a horse is raced, the horse and its connections are treated, in all key matters of principle, in the same way.EHSLC Information for Practising Veterinary SurgeonsIntroductionThere are three reasons for having rules to control the use of drugs in horse racing:
i) To ensure fair competition;ii) To protect the welfare of racehorses; andiii) To protect the breed
However, the Rules of Racing are not intended to discourage the proper veterinary treatment of racehorses if such treatment would not threaten any of these three important objectives.
The information which follows has been provided by the European Horserace Scientific Liaison Committee. It is intended to help veterinary surgeons to give advice as to when racehorses may be raced under the Rules of Racing in Great Britain, Ireland, France, Germany or Italy following treatment for clinical problems.
Information is given on the observed Detection Times for drugs after they have been administered to horses at the reported dose rates. However, veterinary surgeons using this information should be aware of its limitations. These are set out in the latter portion of this advisory document.
A number of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were chosen by the EHSLC as the first group of substances chosen for publication of detection time guidelines, along with the diuretic furosemide. This reflects the common use of these substances in routine veterinary management of racehorses across Europe and also the fact that they are the most common group of drugs reported as prohibited substances in drug testing programmes across the world. Information on the Detection Time for the following list of substances is now available:
Detection Time definition: the time at which the urinary concentration of the drug, or its metabolites or isomers, in all the horses in the study was below the limit of detection for the drug using routine or standard screening methods.
The limits of detection are harmonised between the laboratories of the five member countries.
Second tranche of Detection Times for publication
Lotes$ prepared according to Johansson et al J Pharmaceutical & biomedical analysis (1986) 4,2 171-179LIMITATIONS
The EHSLC reminds veterinary surgeons of the following:
The Rules of Racing regarding prohibited substances continue to apply a strict liability on the trainer and the promulgation of this information does not alter this. Therefore veterinary surgeons should use their professional judgement when they are asked for advice.
In the administration studies, the drugs were administered at the manufacturer's recommended dose using the usual route of administration to a limited number of horses under controlled, scientific conditions.
The following points should be clearly noted in respect of the stated detection times:
In the experiments, the drugs were administered only to healthy horses under controlled, scientific conditions. These horses were not exercised under conditions that might be expected in routine training.
The use of these drugs therapeutically in unhealthy animals may result in longer detection times due to a number of factors, including variation in urine pH, altered biotransformation and/or excretory processes.
The effect of training /exercise programmes, different diet and stable management may cause variation in drug elimination.
The detection times are valid only in respect of the particular formulation, dose or dosage regimen employed.
In the case of oral administration, the use of different proprietary formulations may result in different detection times on account of variations in oral bioavailability.Repeat oral dosing will alter the detection time due to possible drug accumulation.The stated detection times reflect only the precise conditions of the administration protocol used for the scientific study. Veterinary surgeons should therefore regard these data as information. There may be variables encountered in routine treatment of horses in training that affect drug elimination.
Irrespective of the route of administration, there is a risk that a horse may ingest excreted drug from the bedding of its stable (thus increasing the detection time unpredictably) if its stable is not regularly and carefully cleaned out after the treatment has been administered.
In the event of the detection of two or more pharmacologically related substances, or any substance and a diuretic, in official samples collected for drug surveillance programmes, the laboratory has been instructed to use any available method, with maximum sensitivity, to confirm the presence of both drugs in the sample.
The ‘Detection Times' given here are not synonymous with ‘Withdrawal Times'. To decide a withdrawal time an adequate safety margin must be added to the stated detection time. This safety margin must be chosen by the treating veterinarian using his/her professional judgement and discretion, to allow for biological, pharmaceutical and pharmacological variation, so as to minimise the possibility that a positive finding will occur on the day of racing.
It is incumbent on the veterinary surgeon to exercise full professional judgement, taking into account all relevant circumstances, and the most up to date information, before advising when a horse may safely race after drug treatment.
This information supersedes any data previously circulated by EHSLC.
The EHSLC makes the detection time data available in good faith as an aid to the exercise of professional judgment only, which should be sought in all cases. No liability or responsibility or duty of care is accepted by the EHSLC in respect of the direct or indirect consequences of any person using or relying on the data, which they do entirely at their own risk.
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