Limited Thyroxine Use Proposal Voted Down at ARCI

A proposal by the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association to have the Association of Racing Commissioners International modify a footnote of its rules related to thyroxine use in equines was defeated in ARCI's summer meeting of the Model Rules Committee July 28 in Del Mar, Calif. Available ARCI voters that did not abstain defeated the proposal 6-4.

Thyroxine, a supplement, is widely acknowledged as having been overused for its benefits by some racetrack veterinarians and trainers until regulators began restricting and banning it. A recent study published in the Equine Veterinary Journal associated the use of thyroxine with cardiac arrhythmia and concluded it could be a contributing factor to bone fractures. 

Dave Basler, executive director of the Ohio HBPA, told ARCI that he felt a small percentage of horses with thyroid problems and poor blood work could benefit from the supplement. He proposed that a state equine medical director provide further oversight to prescribed treatment when horses exhibit thyroid issues.

"It troubles me that bad apples cost the people who are trying to do things right, a legitimate useful medication," Basler said.

Veterinarian Dr. Connie McNabb, vice chair of the Texas Racing Commission, expressed support and backed the thyroxine measure but the majority of the voting ARCI body did not.

ARCI voting members Duncan Patterson and Charlie Gardner were among those vocal in opposition, with Patterson calling the proposal a "step back."