The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Board of Directors recently voted to approve an Animal Welfare and Medications rule, including a multi-phase testing and research policy.

The new rule indicates that horses entered in NRHA shows are subject to veterinary examination (a physical examination and/or any other test deemed necessary by the attending veterinarian) and drug testing (by either blood or urine sample) to be carried out by a licensed veterinarian or technician.

The ruling also includes a description of a forbidden substance as defined by the NRHA and the acceptable limits for approved medications. Those responsible for horses that test positive for a forbidden substance or are over the legal limit for approved medications will be penalized, the rule states.

Additional verbiage will be added at a later date regarding state and international medication laws, the NRHA noted