Withdrawal Times | Model Rules | Research

Research Program

Background:

The funding of scientifically valid research projects is a cornerstone of RMTC's mission. Targeted research directed toward developing analytical methods for the detection of prohibited substances or toward developing scientifically defensible withdrawal times and/or thresholds for therapeutic substances will be given highest priority, along with broader methodological research. In 2003, five projects were funded for a total dollar amount of $300,844, and in 2005, RMTC approved a research budget of $396,394.

After 2005, the RMTC moved away from the RFP process to focus on administration studies for medications of therapeutic value to the horse. Twenty-horse administrations were performed at the University of Florida Racing Laboratory on fit, treadmill-trained Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses in order to develop reliable, statistically valid withdrawal times and relevant regulatory concentrations. Over $700,000 has been spent to date on this project, which is the largest of its kind ever conducted in horse racing in any country.

Overall, RMTC has funded nearly $2 million in drug testing research.

RMTC's main research focus has shifted from therapeutic medications to drugs that pose an immediate threat to the integrity of racing. RMTC subsidizes the analysis of unknown substances (vials, bottles, syringes, etc.) for racing commissions on an ad hoc basis to determine whether the substances contain doping agents that could produce a pharmacologic effect on raceday. In addtion, the RMTC will support detection studies on "unknown" and prohibted substances.

A grant application can be accessed below. One copy of the completed application must be received by December 1 in order to be considered for the following year's funding cycle. Applications will then be reviewed and scored by the RMTC Scientific Advisory Committee, with awards being announced in the spring.

RMTC-Funded Research:

RMTC-Funded Research Summary Page

Pharmacokinetics of dexamethasone following intra-articular, intravenous, intramuscular, and oral administration in horses and its effects on endogenous hydrocortisone: L. R. Soma; C. E. Uboh; Y. Liu; X. Li; M. A. Robinson; R. C. Boston; P. T. Colahan

Pharmacokinetics of stanozolol in Thoroughbred horses following intramuscular administration: B. C. Moeller; R. A. Sams; Guingab-Cagmat; N. J. Szabo; P. Colahan; S. D. Stanley

Published Research Studies:

Pharmacokinetics of Trimacinolone Acetonide Following Intramuscular and Intra-Articular Administration to Exercised Thoroughbred Horses: Heather K. Knych; Martin A. Vidal; Haley Casbeer; Daniel S. McKemie

Detection of myo-inositol trispyrophosphate in equine urine and plasma by hydrophillic interaction chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: April S.Y. Wong; Emmie N. M. Ho and Terence S.M. Wan

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of butorphanol following intravenous administration to the horse: H. K. Kynch; H. C. Casbeer; D. S. McKemie; R. M. Arthur

Validation of a Liquid Chromatography- Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Quantification of Glycopyrrolate in Horse Plasma : M.J. Rumpler; R.A. Sams; P. Colahan

An interlaboratory study of the pharmacokinetics of testosterone following intramuscular administration to Thoroughbred horses: B. C. Moeller; R. A. Sams; J. Guinjab; N. Szabo; P. Colahan and S. D. Stanley

Pharmacokinetics of glycopyrrolate following intravenous administration in the horse: Dr. M. J. Rumpler; Dr. R. A. Sams; Dr. P. Colahan

Efficacy of furosemide for prevention of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in Thoroughbred racehorses: Kenneth W. Hinchcliff, BVSc, PhD, DACVIM; Paul S. Morley, DVM, PhD, DACVIM; Alan J. Guthrie, BVSc, PhD

Effects of conjugated oestrogens and aminocaproic acid upon exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH): TS Epp*, KL Edwards, DC Poole and HH Erickson

Plasma concentration and local anesthetic activity of procaine hydrochloride following subcutaneous administration to horses: Natasha L. Kuchembuck, MS; Patrick T. Colahan, DVM, MS; Keith D. Zientek, PhD; David A. Pirman, BS; Kirsten Wegner, DVM; Cynthia A. Cole, DVM, PhD