Medications to be Discussed at Challenge Championships

November 12, 2010

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The health and welfare of racing American Quarter Horses and the riders that guide them on the track are of great concern to the racing industry. On Thursday, November 18, medical professionals and horsemen will gather during the American Quarter Horse Racing Conference in New Orleans to discuss the status of medications today.

A number of topics will be addressed, including concerns and questions from the racing public as gathered on AQHA’s racing site on aqharacing.com.

A few of the topics include laboratory testing and procedures, out of competition and pre-race examinations, therapeutic and illegal medications, joint injections, acceptable threshold levels and withdrawal time, zero-tolerance policies, public education and the RMTC.

The meeting will be held from 1:30-4:30 pm at the Astor Crowne Plaza in New Orleans.

Panelists include:

  • Dr. Steven Barker, from the Louisiana State University Testing Lab, the state chemist to the Louisiana State Racing Commission for the last 20 years.
  • Dr. Tom David, from the Louisiana State Racing Commission Veterinarian, the equine medical director for the Louisiana State Racing Commission since 2007.
  • Dr. Nancy Goodman, the AQHA representative to the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium.
  • Dr. Martin Ivey, of Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery in Weatherford, Texas, AAEP racing committee member and a veterinary consultant for the AAEP On Call Program.
  • Dr. Bobby Lewis, the Racing Medications and Testing Consortium chairman and a practicing veterinarian at the Elgin Veterinary Hospital in Elgin, Texas.
  • Dr. Scott Palmer, AAEP Racing Committee chairman and hospital director of the New Jersey Equine Clinic.

Among the other attendees are AQHA racing council members, members of the AQHA safety and welfare subcommittee and affiliate representatives from five associations around the country.