ESC Establishes New Medication Protocols for Upcoming Events

In a continued effort to streamline sanctioning protocols that more effectively align with the needs of the trotting breed show horse industry, Equine Sports Council has refined their equine welfare policy. This common-sense approach allows for continued use of regular therapies while competing at ESC shows, and at the same time implementing new technologies that reduce the need for Medication Reports up to 50%.

Based on data collected in 2024, the average age of horses competing in our sport is 12.5 years old. Our equine partners are often stabled on concrete, and unlike the Olympic and Racing industries, our show horses are judged not only on performance, but also on quality, conformation, and overall presence. Taking those factors into consideration, ESC sought advice and guidance from veterinary pharmacologists, chemists, top industry veterinarians and professional trainers to develop a more
comprehensive equine welfare policy for the trotting breeds.

Equine Sports Council has grouped medications in two major categories, Generally Controlled and Strictly Controlled. Approximately 60 medications are classified as Generally Controlled, which fall into three withdrawal categories.

1) Generally Controlled – Use per guidelines with No Medical Report or Withdrawal Time. 
This category allows for several regular therapies to continue without a withdrawal from the medication. Horses being treated for cushing’s disease, navicular, certain allergies, arthritis, and hormone therapies will be permitted to remain on their regimen without withdrawal. ESC recommends that an annual prescription be put on file using a single Medication Report. Additionally, in an effort to support horses who may be sensitive to the compounded effect of Bute or Banamine over a 5-day period, ESC is allowing a single dose of either medication 6 hours before competing, provided that no other NSAIDS have been given in the preceding 36 hours.

2) Generally Controlled – 24 Hour Withdrawal & Medical Report filed by the Agent. 
Included in this category are respiratory medications, antihistamines, corticosteroids and mild sedatives for ship and clip. An agent may submit the Medical Report and administer the medication under authority of the prescribing veterinarian. These medications have a longer efficacy and may be detectable for 7-30 days, therefore require a medication report.

3) Generally Controlled – 24 Hour or Vet Calculated Half-Life Withdrawal. 
This group of medications require that a Medical Report be filed by the Agent with a 24-hour Withdrawal. If the horse is being treated for an illness or injury, and a 24-hour Withdrawal is not attainable, the prescribing veterinarian may use these medications, and the vet is responsible filing the Medication Report and determining the appropriate withdrawal period from competition. The industry standard formula for determining that a medication’s efficacy has expired in plasma and it no longer has a material affect is the half-life of the drug (as determined by the manufacturer), plus 5 times the half-life amount (t1/2 +5). For example, Xylazine (Rompun, Sedazdine and AnaSed), when given IV, has a half-life in horses of 50 minutes. Using this formula, (50 minutes + 50min x 5), approximately 94-97% of the drug will have been eliminated from the plasma and the horse would be eligible for competition within about 6 hours provided there are no other medications in their system that might lengthen that withdrawal time.

ESC has classified approximately 170 substances as Strictly Controlled.
Recognizing that every horse and medication’s efficacy is unique, the prescribing veterinarian may use these medications to treat a horse for a clinical illness or injury and the vet is responsible for determining the appropriate withdrawal period from competition. The industry-standard formula for determining the medication’s efficacy expiration is the half-life of the drug (as determined by the manufacturer), plus 5 times the half-life amount (t1/2+5). Medication Reports are required at the time of administration of a
Strictly Controlled drug and must include an attestation from the veterinarian regarding the diagnosis, prescription, and recommended withdrawal period to ensure a proper rest period for the horse or pony.

ESC has zero tolerance for Banned Medications and Substances, and there should be no detectible levels present. If withdraw times are not available for a banned substance, it is the responsibility of the agent or prescribing vet to obtain that information.

Equine Sports Council will provide a Subject Matter Expert to consult with our industry’s veterinarians during ESC sanctioned shows that are being drug tested. ESC’s goal is to take a common-sense approach to supporting our equine partner’s health, while maintaining a fair playing field and successful experience for both horse and rider.

These new Drug and Medication Policies take effect June 1, 2025 and will be enforced at the Rock Creek Horse Show in June and the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show in August. Visit
https://equinesportscouncil.org/rxguidelines to access the searchable Medication Database and do not hesitate to contact us with questions at 855-EQUINE1 or info@EquineSportsCouncil.org