Louisiana Racing Commission Suspends Clenbuterol Use

The Louisiana State Racing Commission voted today to go to a zero tolerance on clenbuterol for Quarter Horses starting October 3, 2018.

Clenbuterol is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved for treating reversible bronchospasm in horses. The drug is commonly used to treat horses with inflammatory airway disease and recurrent airway obstruction (or heaves). It is also sometimes administered to racehorses during the racing season, however some researchers have questioned the side effects of this routine use.

Horse racing jurisdictions across the United States make their own rules about what substances can be lawfully administered to horses competing in races at their tracks. A number of racing commissions across the US have already moved to zero tolerance on clenbuterol.