The American Quarter Horse Association drug-testing process is implemented at every AQHA world championship show and has protected the welfare of the horse and integrity of competition for more than 40 years. The AQHA Animal Welfare Commission has implemented rules and sanctions for the Association and members to follow, with drug testing being one of those.
World champions are tested for the use of forbidden substances at the AQHA world championship shows.
All other drug tests for a respective class are randomly predetermined before draws are assigned. When entries are received before a show, a computer program randomly selects draw numbers from the list of entry numbers. This is done in an effort to remain impartial and to protect exhibitors.
AQHA provides resources for exhibitors to review before showing their American Quarter Horses to ensure they are compliant with rules, including the AQHA Rulebook and AQHA Guidelines and Rules for Drugs and Medications. It is highly encouraged to review these resources before attending any AQHA-approved event or show.
The AQHA drug-testing program is designed to ensure that horses competing in AQHA competitions are doing so in a manner that promotes the safety and well-being of all horses competing and ensures the enforcement of fair and equitable rules and procedures. AQHA’s policies concerning the administration of and testing for controlled substances are considered among the most stringent in the equine industry. AQHA began drug testing at AQHA-approved shows in 1973 and was among the first, if not the first, equine breed association to do so.
The drug-testing process ensures that the American Quarter Horse is treated humanely, with dignity, respect and compassion at all times, which is a core tenet of the Association’s mission statement.
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