Medication Administration Guidelines
Equine Sports Council takes 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.
ESC requires Medical Reports / Veterinary Attestations at the following shows in 2025:
Rock Creek
Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship
Mane Event
When showing in the states of Florida or California, government officials require ESC Medical Reports for all medications given. Additionally, Show Management at any ESC event may request that a horse be drug tested when there is a welfare concern.
Medications Control Guide
Use the buttons below to search over 1,200 equine medications and their accepted uses at ESC-sanctioned events. Medications are grouped into either Generally Controlled or Strictly Controlled. Please note that withdrawal times are recommendations based on a single dose. The use of multiple medications and route of administration (IV, IM or Oral) may result in increased concentration levels or a positive test result. Please consult your veterinarian for guidance.
GENERALLY CONTROLLED
ESC has classified approximately 60 medications as Generally Controlled which fall into three withdrawal categories. Please reference the Generally Controlled database above for a complete list of medications and the required reports and withdrawal times.
1) Generally Controlled – Use per guidelines with no Medical Report or Withdrawal Time. This category allows for several long term therapies to continue without a withdrawal from the medication. Horses and ponies being treated for cushing’s disease, navicular, certain allergies, arthritis, and hormone therapies for mares, stallions and geldings will be permitted to remain on their medication without withdrawal. ESC recommends that an annual prescription be placed on file using a single Medication Report. Additionally, Bute and Banamine may now be used as a single dose with a 6 hour withdrawal, or for up to 5 days consecutively with a 12 hour withdrawal.
2) Generally Controlled – 24 Hour Withdrawal & Medical Report from 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 the withdrawal period is the half-life of the drug (as determined by the manufacturer), plus 5 times the half-life amount (t1/2 +5).
STRICTLY CONTROLLED
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 withdrawal period 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 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, and to achieve the reduction in efficacy by 94-97% in plasma concentration for that specific medication.
Banned Medications and Substances
ESC has a zero tolerance for Banned Medications/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.