On Track TBS

HISA Town Hall: Top 8 Takeaways

Sep 29, 2023

HISA Town Hall: Top 8 Take Aways Provided by On Track

The inaugural Town Hall invited all racing participants to attend and addressed questions submitted by participants regarding HISA’s Anti-Doping Medication and Control Program. The ADMC program, established by HISA, is the first-ever uniform anti-doping program and is run by the Horse Racing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU). 

Panelists:

Ben Mosher, Executive Director of HIWU.

Michelle Pujals, General Counsel.

Kate Middlestadt, Chief of Operations.

Dr. Mary Scollay, Chief of Science


1. Provisional Suspension System and Modifications:

    1. Provisional suspensions generally apply only in the anti-doping context for banned substances and methods, with some exceptions for controlled medication substances.
    2. Michelle Pujals distinguished between provisional suspensions, which are not a finding of guilt and occur during the dependency of the case, and final suspensions, which require the transfer of covered horses and have other implications.

2. Procedures in the Test Barn and Hygiene:

    1. Kate Middlestadt explained the procedures in the test barn, emphasizing the importance of hygiene throughout the sample collection process.
    2. She clarifies the use of gloves, which are mandatory for personnel collecting urine samples but not for vets collecting blood, as gloves can interfere with the blood draw. The integrity of blood samples is not compromised even if gloves are not worn, as blood collection is considered a closed system.
    3. The test barns are equipped with sanitized and disinfected buckets assigned to each horse for post-race testing, and additional hygiene measures are taken to prepare the area for each horse.

3. Atypical Findings Policy:

    1. Mary Scollay explained the atypical findings policy, which is modeled on a system used by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI).
    2. The policy addresses substances that are likely found as constituents of plant materials or through bedding or feed, rather than willful administration.

4. Atypical Findings Investigation and Determination:

    1. If an investigation determines that exposure was beyond the control of the responsible person, the finding is reverted to negative with no consequences.
    2. The Anti-Doping and Medication Control Committee reviews regulations and can amend the list of specified substances based on intelligence, stakeholder input, and new science.
    3. It is clarified that if an atypical finding is determined to be negative, it is not publicly disclosed. HISA or HIWU cannot disclose this information without the consent of the responsible person.

5. Environmental Contaminants and Human Medications:

    1. The panel discusses the definition of environmental contaminants, which are substances present in plant materials, feed, or bedding. The introduction of foreign substances into the horse’s environment through other means does not meet the criteria for environmental contaminants.

6. Administration of Electrolytes:

    1. Mary Scollay clarified the rules for administering electrolytes. Electrolytes can be given orally up to 24 hours prior to a horse’s post time. The use of a nasogastric tube extends this to 48 hours. Unsupplemented isotonic electrolyte solutions can be administered intravenously up to 24 hours. Salt and mineral blocks, as well as free-choice electrolyte solutions in water, are permitted at any time.

7. Process for Changing and Approving New Rules:

    1. The panel explains the process for changing and approving new rules. HISA has two standing committees responsible for drafting, creating, and modifying the rules. Stakeholder feedback is actively sought, and suggestions for rule changes can be sent to HISA via email. The committees review feedback and make modifications based on stakeholder input.

8. Out-of-Competition Testing and Controlled Medications:

    1. The panel clarifies that out-of-competition testing is only for banned substances, while controlled medications are allowed between races. The importance of reporting medications into the portal is emphasized, and the development of a transfer testing program is mentioned to allow testing of new horses coming into a barn.