Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA), a special interest group of the Australian Veterinary Association, has announced that it supports the new rules governing the use of cobalt in racehorses.

The Australian Racing Board (ARB) has set a threshold for cobalt of 200 micrograms after Racing Victoria has reported some cases where horses have returned a result above this threshold. The new rule came into effect Jan. 1.

Nathan Anthony, BVSc (Hons) MANZCVSc, EVA president, said members of the peak equine veterinary body consider the health and welfare of horses as their first priority.

“Our members take the health and welfare of horses seriously," he said. "They are registered and regulated by the veterinary practitioners’ board in each state and territory which can investigate and discipline any vet who breaches the rules of racing or behaves unprofessionally