The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) board of directors has approved thresholds and withdrawal guidelines for six medications that have been identified by the American Association of Equine Practitioners as having therapeutic purposes.

The thresholds and withdrawal guidelines, based upon scientific research conducted by laboratories associated with the RMTC and recommended by RMTC’s scientific advisory committee, were approved at the Nov. 13 board meeting in Louisville, Ky.

The thresholds and withdrawal guidelines apply to acepromazine, butorphanol, clenbuterol, dantrolene, detomidine, and mepivacaine.

"We have eagerly anticipated the conclusion of these administration studies and applaud the work of the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), Kenneth L. Maddy Laboratory in providing research on the majority of medications we addressed today," RMTC chairman Robert Lewis, DVM said in a press release. "This should help veterinarians and trainers avoid rule violations