Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 3054(g), the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (“HISA”) issues the following guidance concerning specified rules in the Rule 4000 Series, “Prohibited List”.
Background:
The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (the “Act”) provides that the Authority shall (within the scope of its powers and responsibilities under the Act) “exercise independent and exclusive national authority over […] the safety, welfare, and integrity of covered horses […]”, 15 U.S.C. §3054(a)(2)(A), and “[i]n developing the horseracing anti-doping and medication control program, the Authority shall take into consideration the following: […] [t]he welfare of covered horses”, 15 U.S.C. §3055(b)(7). For purposes of horse welfare, HISA considers it necessary to clarify and expand the list of substances in Rule 4212(b) that may be administered to Covered Horses up to 24 hours prior to the Post-Time (start) of a Covered Horserace or Vets’ List Workout.
Guidance:
Rule 4211 (S7 Controlled Medication Substances) provides at subparagraph (a) that “[s]ubject to Rule 4212, only feed, hay, and water are permitted during the Race Period”. Rule 4212 sets out the exceptions to that rule, which include, in relevant part:
“(b) The following may be administered up to 24 hours prior to Post-Time: […]
(4) unsupplemented isotonic electrolyte solutions by oral or intravenous administration;”
Taking into account horse welfare, in particular considering that the use of electrolytes (which do not constitute “unsupplemented isotonic electrolyte solutions”) and unsupplemented isotonic fluids help to replenish electrolyte losses and rehydrate horses, Rule 4212(b)(4) shall be enforced by HIWU as follows:
“(b) The following may be administered up to 24 hours prior to Post-Time: […]
(4) electrolytes by top-dressing on feed or by oral administration, and unsupplemented isotonic fluids by intravenous administration;”