AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION—DECEMBER 6, 2017—The American Quarter Horse Association believes the welfare of the American Quarter Horse is paramount, and continues to work to bring medication reform about through the cooperation of racing regulators.

A few weeks ago, AQHA’s Director of Racing Janet VanBebber assisted in coordinating a meeting at the American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, where industry leaders gathered to discuss uniformity in hair testing.

On December 5, VanBebber sat on a panel during the Global Symposium on Racing in Tucson, Arizona.

There, experts including VanBebber; Dr. Scott Stanley of UC-Davis; and Izzy Trejo, the executive director, of the New Mexico Racing Commission, discussed hair testing.

VanBebber talked about AQHA’s position on hair testing as an important tool to protect both our horses and our sport. Dr. Stanley spoke of the science behind the method and how it’s used effectively in horse racing, and Trejo elaborated on how his jurisdiction has implemented the method and successfully defended it.

This panel was considered a follow up on the recent AAEP meeting.

"I’m hoping these opportunities to share information with key industry stockholders will help regulatory bodies and horsemen in their comfort level with the testing mechanism," VanBebber said. "Hair testing can have an integral role in increasing integrity in our sport, and protecting the welfare of our athletes."

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, watch the AQHA Racing Newscast and visit www.aqharacing.com.