Slides, Spins, and Sedivet: The Facts on NRHA, AAEP, and Romifidine
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60 – January/February, 2023
By Minae Kroeze
Times are changing, as the saying goes. For the first time since 2015, the National Reining Horse Association’s drug testing policies have recently been reviewed and amended. On August 21, 2022, the NRHA Board of Directors held a meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada where a revised Welfare and Medication Policy was put to a vote and approved to go into effect beginning January 1, 2023.
With the reformed Animal Welfare and Medication Policy, NRHA has made great strides to hold trainers, owners, and exhibitors accountable by creating a structured penalty chart for those who engage in the use of prohibited or banned substances. A structure such as this only minimally existed previously. However, the decision to allow the use of Romifidine (Sedivet), created quite a stir in the equine community.
Romifidine (Sedivet) is a sedative or tranquilizer used in horses. When combined with butorphanol (Bute), it can also be used for pain management per a veterinarian’s recommendation. However, Sedivet, as it is trademarked, is no longer produced in the United States. What is currently on the market is in compounded form. Each manufacturer can produce a varied compound of Sedivet for use and sales, and as a result, the compounds can each vary slightly and affect a horse differently.
The revised Welfare and Medication Policy as it pertains to Romifidine (Sedivet) is as follows: Romifidine (Sedivet) is permitted to be administered at 0.5 cc, 30 minutes prior to competition, but must be submitted on the medications report form. Failure to do so will be considered a violation.
The violations and discplinary action are laid out in the policy as well. Previously, failure to follow the previous Animal Welfare Policy simply resulted in a fine; however, with the revised Welfare and Medication policy, dependent on the offense, disqualification and suspension could be the resulting penalty.
A Professional Opinion
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60 – January/February, 2023
