As part of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry's ongoing commitment to horse welfare, fair competition, and transparent medication guidelines, medication testing will be conducted at selected horse shows this season as part of a pilot research program.

Most importantly, there are currently NO penalties, violations, fines, suspensions, or disciplinary actions associated with this pilot program. The purpose of this initiative is to gather information, evaluate testing procedures, and help develop a practical, science-based medication policy that works for our industry and our horses.

The attached document contains a proposed list of medications that may eventually be classified as Permitted, Conditionally Permitted, or Banned under a future Tennessee Walking Horse medication program. This policy is still under development and is being reviewed with input from independent veterinarians, laboratory experts, trainers, owners, and other industry stakeholders.

We are sharing this information as a courtesy to exhibitors so that everyone has the opportunity to become familiar with the proposed guidelines and, if possible, begin managing their horses in accordance with them. Your participation and feedback are critical. The ultimate goal is to develop a program that is fair, practical, enforceable, and beneficial to both horses and horsemen.

This pilot program should not be viewed as an enforcement effort. No horse, trainer, owner, or exhibitor will be considered "guilty" or "innocent" based on any test result obtained during this research phase. We are simply collecting information to better understand medication use within our industry and to help establish reasonable thresholds, withdrawal recommendations, and medication classifications for the future.

Please also note that this proposed Tennessee Walking Horse medication policy is separate from any testing conducted by the USDA. If USDA representatives are present and collecting samples, those results are generally evaluated under the USEF Equine Drugs and Medications Program, which differs from the Tennessee Walking Horse industry's proposed policy.

We encourage all exhibitors, trainers, owners, and veterinarians to review the attached proposal and share feedback. The success of this effort depends on industry participation, and your cooperation will help ensure that any future medication policy reflects the realities of our sport while maintaining the highest standards of horse welfare and fair competition.

This program is being developed with you, not for you. We appreciate your willingness to help us create a medication policy that is effective, reasonable, and trusted by the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.

TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE MEDICATION POLICY

EMPHASIS ON SAFETY AND WELFARE

The Tennessee Walking Horse community is launching a medication testing program in 2026. Beginning as a research initiative, it will possibly expand in 2027 to include fines, penalties, and suspensions. This program positions the industry to take charge of horse health and welfare instead of relying solely on USDA APHIS.

Dr. Travis Mays and the Equine Integrity and Anti-Doping and Science Labs of Lexington, KY, have been selected for this important work. The industry will consult closely with lab personnel on detection limits, advancements in testing, and strategies to protect horse health. Non-conflicted veterinarians and technicians will be used for obtaining and submitting samples.

Credible medication programs sit on a foundation of rules, allowable substances, detection limits, and testing. The art and science of blending these requires respect for the horse, safety of the rider, and lands on the ever-elusive level playing field. A healthy discussion with all stakeholders can inform the conversation and produce a medication program that results in the greatest safety and minimal impact on the equine athlete.

The fairness of competition and the potential impact on the breeding of future generations also factor in.

Medication programs for the performance horse are fraught with conflicting points of view, minimal understanding by owners and trainers, and a complex, fluid environment. Therapeutic medication, despite the proven benefit to the horse, is often controversial and sometimes constructed with widely divergent philosophies. For example, FEI medication rules are among the strictest because they believe that their approach has the maximum benefit to the horse.

MEDICATIONS, PENALTIES, AND REPORTING

Several governing bodies of performance horse sports contributed to this list of medications. It is designed to utilize therapeutic medications while banning those that are dangerous or have the potential to act as masking agents. Romifidine and Acepromazine, although controversial, have strong support from some who firmly believe that they are more humane than extended pre-competition exercise.

BANNED, PERMITTED OR CONDITIONALLY PERMITTED SUBSTANCES

The Tennessee Walking Horse has a minimal history of drug testing. As a result, the substances listed here were gleaned from other performance horse groups. As testing increases, this list will evolve. Certain substances, such as carbocaine, will be permitted only with a medication report form, as they have the potential to interfere with pre-show inspections.

TWH MEDICATIONS AND DRUGS PROPOSED POLICY

TIME RESTRICTED

PERMITTED MEDICATIONS

Altrenogest
Trade Name: Regumate
Latest Administration Prior to Competition: Greater than 12 hours
Maximum Dosage: 1.0 ml/110 lb

Dexamethasone
Trade Name: DexiumSP, Azium
Latest Administration Prior to Competition: Greater than 12 hours
Maximum Dosage: 20 mg/1000 lb, IV or IM, 24 hours apart

Methocarbamol
Trade Name: Robaxin
Latest Administration Prior to Competition: Greater than 12 hours
Maximum Dosage: 5.0 mg/lb; 5.0 grams/1000 lbs

Omeprazole
Trade Name: Gastroguard
Latest Administration Prior to Competition: Greater than 4 hours
Maximum Dosage: 1.0 mg/kg

Romifidine
Trade Name: Sedivet
Latest Administration Prior to Competition: Greater than 30 minutes
Maximum Dosage: 5 mg total dosage per performance. If using 10 mg/ml, the allowable dosage is .5 ml.

NSAIDS

Only 1 NSAID should be administered within 72 hours of competition to avoid NSAID stacking violation.

Diclofenac
Trade Name: Surpass
Latest Administration Prior to Competition: Greater than 6 hours
Maximum Dosage: 5" ribbon, 1/2 thick, one site, 24 hours apart

Phenylbutazone
Trade Name: Bute
Latest Administration Prior to Competition: Greater than 6 hours
Maximum Dosage: 2.0 mg/lb (2.0 grams/1000 lb), 24 hours apart

FlunixinMeglumine
Trade Name: Banamine
Latest Administration Prior to Competition: Greater than 6 hours
Maximum Dosage: 0.5 mg/lb (500 mg/1000 lb), 24 hours apart

Firocoxib
Trade Name: Equioxx
Latest Administration Prior to Competition: Greater than 6 hours
Maximum Dosage: 57 mg/1000 lb, 24 hours apart

CONDITIONALLY PERMITTED MEDICATIONS

Conditionally Permitted with Medication Report for a documented veterinary medical reason. Cannot be administered within 24 hours of competition.

Acepromazine — PromAce
Atropine
Butorphanol — Torbugesic
Clenbuterol — Ventipulmin
Detomidine — Dormosedan
Flumethasone — Flucort
Furosemide — Lasix
Guaifenesin — Mucinex
Hydroxyzine — Atarax
Isoflupredone — Predef2x
Ketoprofen (Ketofen) — NSAID
Mepivacaine — Carbocaine
Metamizole (Dipyrone) — NSAID
Methylprednisolone/Methylprednisolone Acetate — DepoMedrol
N-butylScopolamine — Buscopan
Pentoxifylline — Trental
Prednisolone
Pyrilamine
Triamcinolone/Triamcinolone acetonide — Amazcort/Vetalog
Trichlormethiazide/Dex — Naquasone
TripelennamineHCL — Re-Covr
Xylazine — Rompun

BANNED

Albuterol — Vasodilator
Articaine — Local anaesthetic
Beclomethasone — Corticosteroid
Benzocaine — Local anaesthetic
Betamethasone — Corticosteroid
Butoxycaine — Local anaesthetic
Chloroprocaine — Local anaesthetic
Cinchocaine — Local anaesthetic
Clormecaine — Local anaesthetic
Dantrolene — Muscle relaxant
Diazepam — Sedative
Dibucaine — Local anaesthetic
Dihydrocodeine/Dihydrocodeinone — Analgesic
Dipipanone — Analgesic
Diprenorphine — Analgesic
Dixyrazine — Antipsychotic
Doxapram — Stimulant
Ephedrine — Stimulant
Ergonovine — Stimulant
Etidocaine — Local anaesthetic
Etomidate — Sedative
Fluphenazine — Antipsychotic
Glycopyrrolate — Anticholinergic (anti sweating)
Hexylcaine — Local anaesthetic
Hydrocodone — Opioid analgesic
Ketamine — Anaesthetic
Lidocaine — Local anaesthetic
Mepyrilcaine — Local anaesthetic
Methylergonovine (Methergine) — Vasoconstrictor
Morphine — Opioid
NSAIDs — Any NSAID not listed above as permitted or conditionally permitted
Oxybuprocaine — Local anaesthetic
Oxycodone — Opioid analgesic
Pentazocine — Narcotic
Pentobarbital — Sedative
Piperocaine — Local anaesthetic
Phenytoin (Dilantin) — Anticonvulsant
Prilocaine — Local anaesthetic
Procaine — Local anaesthetic
Procainepenicillin — Antibiotic
Propiomazine — Sedative
Propoxycaine — Local anaesthetic
Pseudoephedrine — Stimulant
Quiniscaine — Topical anaesthetic
Reserpine — Sedative
Ropivacaine — Local anaesthetic
Stanozolol (Winstrol) — Anabolic steroid
Tetracaine — Local anaesthetic
Tocainide — Local anaesthetic
Tolycaine — Local anaesthetic
Tramadol — Analgesic
Trazodone — Antidepressant
Trimecaine — Local anaesthetic

WHOA FALL FESTIVAL

The WHOA Fall Festival will be a part of the Proposed Tennessee Walking Horse Medication Policy Pilot Program. A licensed vet will be taking samples during one session of the three day event.

We want to emphasize, this is for informational purposes only to formulate a drug protocol for our industry that fits our needs. This is not a USDA program.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Mark Taylor, 615-400-0148. Thank you for your cooperation in this very important process.

Below, you will find the proposed list of potentially approved medications along with other information.