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Posted: 2nd March 2017

BHA issues reminder on administration of corticosteroids
Vets are being urged to draw their attention to published advice regarding the administration of corticosteroids.
Corticosteroids are prohibited substances on race day

Vets are being urged to draw their attention to published advice regarding the administration of corticosteroids.

In January 2015, The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) introduced a 14 day stand-down period following administration of any intra-articular corticosteroids.

The rules state: “The horse must not have been administered any intra-articular corticosteroid on the day of the race or on any of the fourteen days before the day of the race in which the horse is declared to run.”

The BHA advises that this mandatory stand-down period should not be confused with a Detection Time or with a Withdrawal Period.

“The difference between a Detection Time and a Withdrawal Period should be understood, as the two are different,” writes the BHA. “To decide a Withdrawal Period, an adequate safety margin should be added to a Detection Time. This safety margin should be chosen by the treating veterinary surgeon, using their professional judgement, and should take into account potential biological, pharmaceutical and pharmacological variation.

“This clearly makes a discussion between a Trainer and their veterinary surgeon essential when considering administration of any medication which is a Prohibited Substance on Raceday.”

Trainers who would like to establish that medication given for veterinary treatment has cleared from a horse’s system before a race are invited to contact the Equine Health and Welfare Department at equine@britishhorsracing.com or 020 7152 0010. 



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