NEWS
New York institutes new rule for oxygen therapy
Posted: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 6:52 PM
The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has decided to deny horses entry into races if they have received hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment within one week of post time.
The board announced the new policy, which is endorsed by the New York Racing Association, on Tuesday. Joe Mahoney, public information officer for the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, said guidelines for oxygen treatments previously were covered in a seven-day catch-all rule that did not specifically address hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers are accessed by some trainers to accelerate healing in a horse that has been injured or has an infection.
“If a horse needs hyperbaric oxygen therapy to get from the starting gate to the finish line, it shouldn’t be in the race,” Racing and Wagering Board Chairman John Sabini said in a statement. “Purified oxygen does not exist naturally in a horse.
“We are clarifying now that these types of treatments are in the same category we reserve for equine drugs. We are very concerned that, within a certain window, these treatments could give a horse an unfair advantage in a race while jeopardizing the horse’s health.”
The new rule also applies the same restrictions to all other forms of purified oxygen treatment.
Sabini said the directive was created after the operator of a hyperbaric therapy chamber sought approval from NYRA to set up the equipment at Saratoga Race Course. NYRA refused the request, so the operator set up the equipment at an off-track location in the city of Saratoga Springs, New York.
The board now is requiring the operator to provide a log of all horses getting the treatments.
“Promoting integrity and transparency for the betting public and ensuring horse health are among my highest priorities,” Sabini said. “Putting limits on when a racehorse can get hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a step in the direction of greater integrity.
“I am aware that some veterinarians promote the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Our rule does not prohibit racehorses from undergoing this therapy. We’re just saying they can’t have it within one week of a race.”
