Mid-Atlantic Coalition Joins Bisphosphonate Ban

On the heels of a ban on bisphosphonates by North America's three major auction companies, a coalition of 29 Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred organizations announced March 26 its own region-wide ban on the use of these drugs in horses under the age of 4.

Bisphosphonates are a class of drug used in humans to treat bone loss from osteoporosis. The brands Tildren and Osphos have been approved for use in horses 4 years old and older to specifically treat navicular disease, but evidence has surfaced over the past several years of its use in younger horses. A growing body of evidence suggests these drugs disrupt the natural absorption and rebuilding that make bones stronger as young horses mature, and the disruption leads to weaker bones that could predispose a prospective racehorse to serious problems down the road.

"There is absolutely no reason for these drugs to be administered to a horse, except under the very limited circumstance for which they were approved by the FDA," said Alan Foreman, chairman and CEO of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and long-time coordinator of the annual Mid-Atlantic Regulatory and Stakeholders meeting. "While we recognize that there are scientific and testing challenges, it is indisputable that there is no legitimate extra-label use for these drugs in racing and breeding and we must act to stop it now if we are to fulfill our commitment to the health and welfare of the horse." 

The bisphosphonate ban was voted on March 21 during a meeting held at Delaware Park. Attending the meeting were regulators, horsemen's organizations, breeders' organizations, racetrack operators, and veterinarians. These organizations represent the racing states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The ban was recommended by the THA board of directors that met March 7 and have also called for a nationwide ban of bisphosphonate use in younger horses.

The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, which participated in the Mid-Atlantic meeting and voted at the meeting to support the directive, has issued its formal support and will urge its affiliates across the country to join adopt the ban.

"The National HBPA and its affiliates are, and have always been, committed to the highest standards of equine health and welfare," said Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA. "Together, we join with other major industry stakeholders and regulators in supporting an immediate prohibition on the off-label use of bisphosphonates, which we believe is in the best interest of our equine athletes and our industry."

The Mid-Atlantic mandate is as follows: "The entire Mid-Atlantic region will impose, and strongly urges all Thoroughbred industry stakeholders and regulators to support, the enactment of an immediate prohibition on the use of bisphosphonates in all horses under the age of 4, unless and until the scientific and veterinary community determines that the use of such drugs does not compromise the health and welfare of the horse. The use of bisphosphonates in horses 4 years old and older should be limited to only those horses who have been diagnosed with navicular disease by a veterinarian and for whom the use of such drugs is warranted."

Officials from Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, and Ocala Breeders' Sales jointly announced March 25 a ban on bisphosphonates in sale horses younger than 4. The drugs have become a concern in sale horses because of reports they are used in weanling and yearlings to hide radiographic evidence of sesmoiditis. The drug also has an analgesic effect and might have been used in some 2-year-olds in training sale horses.

At each of the three sales companies, buyers of young horses may request testing for bisphosphonates to be performed at the time of purchase. If the sale horse tests positive, a buyer has the right, within 24 hours of notification, to rescind the sale. The ban mirrors the action sale companies took in 2009 to ban the use of anabolic steroids in sales horses.