On Monday, May 4, the California Horse Racing Board announced that Rule 1867.1, which will become effective July 1, will prohibit the administration of bisphosphonates to any horse within a facility regulated by the CHRB, and will also prohibit any horse from entering the grounds that has been administered the drug within six months.
The announcement means that any horse that has been administered bisphosphonates since January 1, 2020, will not be permitted within any CHRB-regulated facility (racetracks and training centres) within a six-month period of such administration.
Bisphosphonates inhibit the normal bone repair process, which is potentially dangerous for young horses racing and in training. Additional information on bisphosphonate use in racehorses is available on the CHRB website under both the 'racing safety' and 'veterinary' sections.
(With files from the CHRB)