The New York State Racing and Wagering Board announced a new medication directive today clarifying that horses are banned from being entered into races if they have received hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment within one

week of post time. The new directive, clarifying existing state rules, is endorsed by The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA).

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers are accessed by some trainers to accelerate healing in a horse that has been injured or has an infection.

“If a horse needs hyperbaric oxygen therapy to get from the starting gate to the finish line, it shouldn’t be in the race,” Racing and Wagering Board Chairman John Sabini said in announcing the rule. “Purified oxygen does not exist naturally in a horse. We are clarifying now that these types of treatments are in the same category we reserve for equine drugs. We are very concerned that, within a certain window, these treatments could give a horse an unfair advantage in a race while jeopardizing the horse’s health.”

“We fully endorse the New York State Racing and Wagering Board’s directive regarding hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers,” said Paul J. Campo, NYRA vice president and director of racing. “As we get ready to start what should be another successful Saratoga meet, this directive will help to further refine and clarify the New York regulatory practices.”

In addition to setting up new limitations on the use of hyperbaric therapy for horses, the directive also applies the same restriction to all other forms of treatment involving the administration of purified oxygen.

Chairman Sabini said the directive was crafted after an operator of a hyperbaric therapy chamber sought approval from NYRA to set up the equipment at the Saratoga track. NYRA refused the request and the operator then located the equipment off track grounds in the city of Saratoga Springs.

The Racing and Wagering Board is requiring the operator to provide a log of all horses getting the therapy treatments.

“Promoting integrity and transparency for the betting public and ensuring horse health are among my highest priorities,” Chairman Sabini said. “Putting limits on when a race horse can get hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a step in the direction of greater integrity. I am aware that some veterinarians promote the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Our rule does not prohibit race horses from undergoing this therapy. We’re just saying they can’t have it within one week of a race.”

(New York State Racing and Wagering Board)