Welfare Guidelines for horseracing.
Assistance with the therapeutic treatment of horses
The racehorse is a hard-working athlete which will experience health complications and conditions of injury during its racing life. As the welfare of the horse is important the NHA has a responsibility to assist with therapeutic drug substance administration guidance (in providing therapeutic substance detection times - in order to assist with therapeutic substance treatment regimens). The NHA must however ensure that the welfare of the horse is maintained in that substances which affect the horse are not present at therapeutic levels on race day as these can influence race performance and / or mask injury and pain.
International and Asian Screening Limits for therapeutic substances
It is important not to prosecute therapeutic substances, which are legitimately used in equine medicine, at low levels where these do not affect the horse. International and Asian Screening Limits (ISL’s and ASL’s) for therapeutic substances provide such guidance. These screening limits are concentration values which are internationally decided. Below these limits (concentrations) there is no therapeutic effect and therefore a positive finding is not declared. Compliance of the NHA to these is important to ensure that a sensible, internationally approved standard is applied.
Substances which have the possibility to be present in residue levels in equine feed (known as feed contaminants) are also considered. International residue limits (IRL’s) are adopted by the NHA to prosecute findings of such substances when these exceed background levels and are indicative of exogenous administration. The ISL’s, ASL’s and IRL’s which are adopted by the NHA are provided on the NHA website.
The NHA and IFHA websites provide a list of Detection Times for therapeutic substances. While the screening limits provide Laboratories with an action level for positive findings, a “detection time” is the time period following administration during which the screening limit is still exceeded. A withdrawal time which is a suitably a longer period of time is advised (e.g. more than 2 days longer), at the discretion of the advising veterinarian. This guidance is provided on the NHA website.
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Featured
Tamar has had a love for horses her whole life. Spending her childhood years in a busy and competitive stable yard, taught Tamar all she needed to know about running a yard of her own. Receiving tuition from one of South Africa’s top-ranking riders - Barry Taylor, Tamar opened Farnham Riding School & Livery Yard with the plan in mind to offer a top quality tuition and livery service.
Tamar is a SANEF level 2 qualified instructor and received the highly recognised qualification of FEI level 1 coach in 2011 and completed Level 2 in 2012. Tamar specialises in competitive riders and teaches with great enthusiasm, with the focus being on horse and rider being a team to achieve their personal goals. The success of Tamar’s pupils speaks for itself and her dedication and passion for the sport and her clients is obvious in the consistent results they achieve.
Tamar competes at 1m50 level and has had a very successful career. Tamar has competed in the South African Derby, as well as most World Cup Qualifier shows around South Africa, Her highlight to date is winning the very prestigious Nissan 6-Bar Event in 2014, clearing the jump at 1m77 on her pride and joy, Toko.
After taking time off from riding (She remained coaching) after a knee operation and to have her first child, she is now back in the saddle bringing on many competitive young horses. Of note are Con Alma, a 5year old Warmblood jumping in the 1,10m classes, Cosmo K, a 6 year old Warmblood jumping in the 1.20m classes, and the now infamous little thoroughbred, Outeniqua (or Pocket Rocket as he is called on the SJ Circuit) on whom Tamar competes successfully in the 1.35/1.40m classes.
Tamar is a keen and savvy business woman, very dedicated to her sport and spends hours in the saddle learning and growing with her horses. Her knowledge and enthusiasm for show jumping makes her a great ambassador for our Equi-Feeds brand.
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