Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeder Association

News November 22, 2024

Louisiana Racing Commission Suspends Clenbuterol Use

The Louisiana State Racing Commission voted today to go to a zero tolerance on clenbuterol for Quarter Horses starting October 3, 2018.

NEW ORLEANS, LA—JULY 16, 2018—The Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) voted unanimously today (Monday) to go to zero tolerance on clenbuterol for Quarter Horses. The new rule takes effect on October 3rd—opening day of the 2018 Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse meet in Opelousas.

Clenbuterol is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved for treating reversible bronchospasm in horses. The drug is commonly used to treat horses with inflammatory airway disease and recurrent airway obstruction (or heaves). It is also sometimes administered to racehorses during the racing season, however some researchers have questioned the side effects of this routine use.

Horse racing jurisdictions across the United States make their own rules about what substances can be lawfully administered to horses competing in races at their tracks. A number of racing commissions across the US have already moved to zero tolerance on clenbuterol.

LQHBA is the official authorized representative of the American Quarter Horse racing and breeding industry in Louisiana, the unified voice of quarter Horse breedings in the State of Louisiana for purposes of communicatting the advantages and rewards of breeding Quarter Horses in the State and for the purposes of a conducting and coordinating activities with breeding and racing agencies.