A booklet developed by several individuals at the forefront of equine medication reform has been prepared for Maryland, which will enact the Mid-Atlantic Uniform Medication and Drug-Testing Program Jan. 1, 2014.

In a memo, Alan Foreman, chairman of the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (THA), which has an affiliate in Maryland, said the booklet was distributed at all racetracks in the state, will be mailed to Maryland licensees, and is available at the Maryland Racing Commission and Maryland THA websites. He said the booklet will be made available to racing offices in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

The medication guidelines booklet was compiled by Foreman; David Richardson, MD; and Dionne Benson, DVM, executive director of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium "to give horsemen and veterinarians the guidance necessary to ensure compliance with the reforms," Foreman said.

Foreman said Delaware, New Jersey, and Virginia should have the uniform regulations and testing standards in place in time for their live racing seasons in 2014. In West Virginia, the racing commission has approved the document but is awaiting legislative approval, which should come in early 2014