The Idaho Racing Commission passed a temporary hair testing rule earlier this week.

Testing hair samples can detect the presence of medications such as clenbuterol, albuterol, zilpaterol and ractopamine. A few of these medications can be used for therapeutic reasons, but all can have anabolic effects on horses and can be abused as a performance-enhancing drug.

Horses in Idaho raced at Pocatello Downs May 6-28, Sandy Downs June 8-July 20, Jerome Co. Fair June 10-24, Rupert Downs on July 1-8, Oneida Co. Fair on August 4-12, Cassia Co. Fair on August 17-18 and the Eastern Idaho Fair on September 2-8.