Before the mid-1980s, the use of high potency performance altering substances in racing was less well controlled due to the inadequacy of analytical technology. Around that time, highly sensitive ELISA testing of horse urine was introduced to racing regulators by a group at the University of Kentucky. This proprietary technology essentially solved the problem of the abuse of high potency drugs in racing horses. ELISA tests are now marketed worldwide out of Lexington, Kentucky.  Therapeutic medications Approximately 25 medications are now approved by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) for therapeutic use in race horses. Recent advances in technology resulting in high sensitivity testing continue to enable the detection of ever smaller trace concentrations of medications. This situation has led to the establishment of "thresholds" or "reporting levels," or "decision levels" (California) depending on the semantic preference of individual jurisdictions. These terms apply to the blood concentration of a medication below which it is believed by scientists and racing authorities that the medication has insignificant pharmacological effect. Thresholds (cutoffs) have long been used in human drug testing, however, the concept has been slow to be accepted by horse racing regulators  . Therapeutic medications (or drugs) are properly used to alleviate pain and to allow or promote healing. However, in the sport of horse racing powerful painkilling drugs may be used on a daily basis, often in combination with several other potent drugs, to enable injured horses to train and race before their injuries are fully healed. When this happens, the logical result is that additional injury can occur, rapidly accelerating the need for ever more powerful drugs to keep a horse racing. The widespread use of pharmaceuticals is unique to American racing and many believe it puts racehorses at greater risk of crippling injuries and death. Jockeys are also exposed to far greater risk, as medicated horses are much more likely to suffer catastrophic breakdowns during a race sending horses and riders tumbling. In a series of articles on drugs and racing The New York Times estimates that approximately 24 horses are killed as a result of injuries incurred during a race each week in America, though the question of how many of these deaths are linked to misuse of medication is undetermined. The issue of legal and illegal drug use in horse racing is again under review by the U.S. Congress with legislation pending before the House of Representatives and the Senate to create uniform pre-race drug rules and penalties applying in all racing states. The Interstate Horse Racing Improvement Act is endorsed by some of the most prominent names in the racing industry and by groups representing the interests of owners, betters, and racehorses . Performance-modifying substances Identification of these substances in a horse is viewed with great regulatory concern. Testing for these substances usually proceeds at the highest level of sensitivity possible, so-called "zero-tolerance" testing. About 850 or so substances are classified by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) Uniform Classification System for Foreign Substances as potentially performance-enhancing in a five-class system. The most complete listing of such substances is found online.  See also Doping in sport
Before the mid-1980s, the use of high potency performance altering substances in racing was less well controlled due to the inadequacy of analytical technology. Around that time, highly sensitive ELISA testing of horse urine was introduced to racing regulators by a group at the University of Kentucky. This proprietary technology essentially solved the problem of the abuse of high potency drugs in racing horses. ELISA tests are now marketed worldwide out of Lexington, Kentucky. Today, further advances in testing technology have augmented and in many instances replaced ELISA tests to detecting doping. Therapeutic medications Approximately 25 medications are now recognized by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) for therapeutic use in race horses. Recent advances in technology resulting in high sensitivity testing continue to enable the detection of ever smaller trace concentrations of medications. This situation has led to the establishment of "thresholds" or "reporting levels," or "decision levels" (California) depending on the semantic preference of individual jurisdictions. These terms apply to the blood concentration of a medication below which it is believed by scientists and racing authorities that the medication has insignificant pharmacological effect. Thresholds (cutoffs) have long been used in human drug testing, however, the concept has been slow to be accepted by horse racing regulators who rely on the mere presence of a substance as a potential rule violation . Therapeutic medications (or drugs) are properly used to alleviate pain and to allow or promote healing. However, in the sport of horse racing powerful painkilling drugs may be used on a daily basis, often in combination with several other potent drugs, to enable injured horses to train and race before their injuries are fully healed. When this happens, the logical result is that additional injury can occur, rapidly accelerating the need for ever more powerful drugs to keep a horse racing. Official state testing reports do not, however, confirm that such use is widespread in post race samples, although it does occur. Federal laws allowing great latitude for veterinarians to use medications pose a concern for racing regulators who believe improper or over use puts racehorses at greater risk of crippling injuries and death. Jockeys are also exposed to far greater risk, as medicated horses are much more likely to suffer catastrophic breakdowns during a race sending horses and riders tumbling. In a series of articles on drugs and racing The New York Times estimates that approximately 24 horses are killed as a result of injuries incurred during a race each week in America, though the question of how many of these deaths are linked to misuse of medication is undetermined. The issue of legal and illegal drug use in horse racing is again under review by the U.S. Congress with legislation pending before the House of Representatives and the Senate to create uniform pre-race drug rules and penalties applying in all racing states. The Interstate Horse Racing Improvement Act is endorsed by some of the most prominent names in the thoroughbred racing industry although groups representing other equine breeds, veterinarians, horsemen, and regulators have serious concerns . Performance-modifying substances Identification of these substances in a horse is viewed with great regulatory concern. Testing for these substances usually proceeds at the highest level of sensitivity possible, so-called "zero-tolerance" testing. About 1100 or so substances are classified by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) Uniform Classification System for Foreign Substances as potentially performance-enhancing in a five-class system. The most complete listing of such substances is found online. Today, the sensitivity of the testing labs utilized by regulators has become so sensitive that horsemen raise concerns about environmental transfers that may have occurred and can now be detected at the picogram label. See also Doping in sport
A
Today, further advances in testing technology have augmented and in many instances replaced ELISA tests to detecting doping.
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approved
recognized
A
who rely on the mere presence of a substance as a potential rule violation
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The widespread use of pharmaceuticals is unique to American racing and many believe it
Official state testing reports do not, however, confirm that such use is widespread in post race samples, although it does occur. Federal laws allowing great latitude for veterinarians to use medications pose a concern for racing regulators who believe improper or over use
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racing industry and by groups representing the interests of owners, betters, and racehorses
thoroughbred racing industry although groups representing other equine breeds, veterinarians, horsemen, and regulators have serious concerns
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850
1100
A
Today, the sensitivity of the testing labs utilized by regulators has become so sensitive that horsemen raise concerns about environmental transfers that may have occurred and can now be detected at the picogram label.