ARTICLE 11 - Animal Abuse / Livestock Handling / Medications

A N I M A L A B U S E

Inhumane treatment or abuse of a horse in any manner in the show arena, practice arena or on the show grounds is strictly prohibited.

A. If show management, judge, or Board Directors at any SRCHA approved or sponsored event discovers inhumane treatment or abuse of a horse, he/she may immediately bar the responsible party and horse from further competition in the event. The SRCHA office must be notified within seven (7) days of the closing date of the show involved, and the complaint will be referred to the Board of Directors for investigation and consideration.

B. Inhumane treatment is the exhibition of a crippled or injured horse, or a horse with any other health abnormality, which could thereby result in the horse's undue discomfort or distress. The decision of show management, judge or Board Director as to inhumane treatment should be based upon consultation with a veterinarian. If show management, judge, or Board Director determines, in their sole discretion, that the welfare of the horse requires immediate action, and a veterinarian is not available, show management, judge, or Board Director may implement any action allowed by this rule.

C. Abuse includes excessive jerking, spurring, whipping and any other act intended to cause trauma or injury to a horse. Any act of abuse, or intent to abuse a horse, in the show arena or on the show grounds which could also potentially endanger the safety of other persons or animals will be dealt with in the strongest possible manner as provided in Article IX, Disciplinary Rules And Procedures, item C.

D. Administration of drugs while on the show grounds, including show arena and practice area, is strictly prohibited unless administered in a lifesaving situation. Such an instance must be reported to show management. The decision of show management or Board Director as to lifesaving treatment should be based upon consultation with a veterinarian. Show management shall disqualify and/or refuse entry to any contestant and/or owner for violation of this rule.

E. Abuse of cattle or livestock at any SRCHA event is strictly prohibited, either in the show arena, practice arena, livestock pens or unloading areas or anywhere on the show grounds. Abuse of cattle in performance as well as in handling will not be tolerated. Abuse includes excessive force used in handling, where it is not necessary for safety of either human or equine; failure to provide feed and water within reasonable time frames, and failure to provide suitable and adequate handling and housing facilities.

F. The standard by which conduct or treatment will be measured is that which a reasonable person, informed and

experienced in generally accepted equine training and exhibition procedures or veterinary standards or

livestock handling procedures, would determine to be cruel, abusive or inhumane.

FURTHER: Care and Maintenance of Cattle

1 A veterinarian should be in attendance, or reasonably available at every reined cow horse show and will attend to any injured animal after its removal from the arena. Should humane destruction of an animal be recommended, such destruction will take place as soon as possible and shall be carried out by the most humane means possible.

2 A conveyance of a type on which injured animals may be easily placed without causing additional injury should be made available at all reined cow horse shows to remove animals from the arena in case of injury.

3 Cattle are recommended to be between 500 and 650 lbs. They should appear strong and healthy.

4 Chutes, corrals, mangers, etc., should be so constructed as to prevent injury to cattle and horses. All areas in which cattle are kept and the arena shall be free of rocks, holes, and obstacles.

5 Arena help may be fired and/or contestant may be disqualified for mistreatment of cattle.

6 No cattle should be confined to vehicles beyond a period of twenty-eight (28) hours or as otherwise established by the federal government without being unloaded, properly fed and watered, provided that when animals are carried in conveyances in which they do have proper food, water, space, and opportunity to rest, the provision for unloading shall not apply.

7 Cattle that become excessively excited, so that they appear in danger of injuring themselves, should be released from the arena.

8 No sick or injured animals will be permitted to be used in competition. Blinded animals or animals with bad eyes will not be permitted to be used in competition.

9 Animals will be inspected and objectionable ones eliminated.

10 Any member tampering with competition livestock will be disqualified for the remainder of that particular reined cow horse show and will be subject to a fine.

11 If a rider kicks the animal being worked, or hits it with the romal or reins in an abusive manner, he or she will receive a score of 0.

Care and Treatment of Reined Cow Horses

THE SASKATCHEWAN REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION TAKES VERY SERIOUSLY THE WELFARE OF THESE GREAT HORSES THAT WE ARE DEVOTED TO. Inhumane treatment of a horse in any manner in the show arena, practice pen or on the show grounds is strictly prohibited.

1) Inhumane treatment is the exhibition of a crippled or injured horse, or a horse with any other health abnormality, which could thereby result in the horse’s undue discomfort or distress. Abuse includes excessive jerking, spurring, whipping, slapping, or any other act intended to cause trauma or injury to a horse. Any act of abuse, or intent to abuse a horse, in the show arena or on the show grounds which could also potentially endanger the safety of other persons or animals will be dealt with in the strongest possible manner as provided by this standing rule.

2) If show management at any SRCHA approved event discovers inhumane treatment of a horse, it may immediately bar the responsible party and horse from further participation in the event. The decision of show management as to inhumane treatment shall be based upon consultation with a veterinarian. If show management determines in its sole discretion that the welfare of the horse requires immediate action and a veterinarian is not available, show management shall consult with the Ethics Committee or Show Representative before taking any action allowed by this rule.

3) In the event show management discovers any inhumane treatment of a horse, the NRCHA Management and the Ethics Committee shall be notified and a hearing to consider disciplinary action against the responsible party shall be scheduled.

4) Administration of drugs while in the show arena or practice arena is strictly prohibited unless administered in a life saving situation. Such an instance must be reported to show management. The decision of the show management as to life saving treatment should be based on consultation with a veterinarian. Show management shall disqualify and/or refuse entry to any contestant and/or owner for violation of this rule.

5) Humane Treatment.

No person shall exhibit any horse which appears to be sullen, dull, lethargic, emaciated, drawn or overly tired. No person on show grounds, including, but not limited to, barns, stalls, practice area and show arena, may treat a horse in an inhumane manner, which includes, but is not limited to: (1) Placing an object in a horse’s mouth so as to cause undue discomfort or distress. (2) Tying a horse up or around in a stall or when lounging or riding in a manner as to cause undue discomfort or distress. In addition, leaving a bit in a horse’s mouth for extended periods of time. (3) Use of inhumane training techniques or methods; poling or striking horses legs or body with objects, excessive spurring

and/or excessive jerking of reins. (4) Use of inhumane equipment, including, but not limited to, saw tooth bits, hock hobbles, tack collars or tack hackamores.(5) Any item or appliance that restricts movement or circulation of the tail. (6) Inhumane treatment which results in any bleeding.

6) Prohibited medication, drugs, mechanical device or artificial appliance: No person shall cause to be administered internally or externally to a horse, either before or during an approved event, any medication, drug, mechanical device or artificial appliance which is of such character as could affect its performance or appearance at that event, EXCEPT FOR THOSE CONDITIONALLY PERMITTED THERAPEUTIC

MEDICATIONS, THE USE OF WHICH IS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED FOR IN THIS RULEBOOK AND NOT OTHERWISE PROHIBITED BY GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS. Upon discovery of administration of such drug, medication, mechanical device or artificial appliance, show management shall immediately report the matter to SRCHA. Any action or substance, administered internally or externally, whether drugs or otherwise, which may interfere with the testing procedure, or mask or screen the presence of such drug, is forbidden.

(1)Presence of such medication or drug in a horse participating in an SRCHA-approved event shall be grounds for the Executive Committee to take the following action if it is determined that the use of said drug or medication was not within the guidelines set forth in the Therapeutic Medication Addendum following subsection of this rule:

(A) The horse shall be disqualified from all classes in which it participates at the show and all awards and monies must be returned and horse will not be allowed to be shown for a period of 90 days.

1) In a first offense, in addition to the above, the responsible individual(s) will be fined $500 each. Responsible individual(s) will be suspended until payment is made and reinstatement fee of $65 is paid.

2) For the second offense, in addition to the above, responsible individual(s) will be fined $1,000 each. Each individual receiving a second offense will be suspended for a period of 3 months and will not be reinstated until payment is made and reinstatement fee of $65 is paid.

3) For the third offense, in addition to above, responsible individual(s) will be fined $2,500 each and suspended until review by the Ethics Committee and SRCHA Board. At that time, the SRCHA Board will determine the length of suspension. The individual will not be reinstated until payment is made, the suspension time served, and reinstatement fee of $65 is paid.

(B) Below specified individuals are absolutely responsible for a horse’s condition, are presumed to know all rules and regulations of SRCHA and the penalty provisions of said rules, and their voluntary action in presenting or causing the horse to be presented at show grounds for exhibition, entering a horse or exhibiting one in an approved show, and their absolute responsibility for the condition of the horse makes them eligible for disciplinary sanctions, whether or not they had actual knowledge of the presence of a forbidden drug, directly participated in the administration thereof, innocently miscalculated its retention time in the horse’s system, or any other reason for its presence is established.

(C) It is presumed the sample of urine, saliva, blood or other substance tested by the approved laboratory is the one taken from the horse in question, its integrity is preserved, and that all procedures of such collection and preservation, transfer to the laboratory, and analysis of the sample are correct and accurate, and the report received from the laboratory pertains to the sample taken from the horse in question and correctly reflects the condition of the horse during the show in which he was entered, with the burden on the exhibitor or other responsible party to prove otherwise at any hearing in regard to the matter conducted by SRCHA.

(1) Every exhibitor shall, upon request of show management or SRCHA representative, permit a specimen of urine, saliva, blood or other substance to be taken for testing, and refusal to comply with such request shall constitute grounds for immediate disqualification of the horse from further participation at the show, and shall constitute grounds for suspension of SRCHA membership. If the laboratory report on the chemical analysis of saliva, urine, blood or other sample taken from the horse indicates the presence of a forbidden drug or medication,

this shall be taken as prima facie evidence such substance has been administered to the horse either internally or externally.

(2) An individual is absolutely responsible for a horse’s condition if: (A) he/she designates himself/herself on the entry blank as exhibitor, or authorizes another to designate him as exhibitor on the entry blank; (B) he/she signs the entry blank on behalf of himself or another, or causes an agent or representative to sign it; (C) he/she physically participates in the event by riding or showing the horse; or (D) he/she is the actual owner. The exhibitor and owner acknowledge an exhibitor represents the owner in regard to his/her horses entered in an approved show.

THERAPEUTIC MEDICATION ADDENDUM

(Does not apply if prohibited by governmental regulations)

Exhibitors, owners, trainers and veterinarians are cautioned against the use of medicinal preparations, tonics, pastes and products of any kind, the ingredients and quantitative analysis of which are not specifically known, as many of them may contain a forbidden substance.

(1) Forbidden drugs or substances:

(A) Any drug or substance considered a Class I or Class II substance as defined in the most recent edition of ARCI’s Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances.

(B) Any stimulant, depressant, tranquilizer or sedative which could affect the performance of a horse (stimulants and depressants are defined as substances that stimulate or depress the cardiovascular, respiratory or central nervous system).

(C) Any substance, regardless of how harmless or innocuous it might be, that might interfere with the detection or quantification of any substance defined in (A)(B) or (C).

(D) Any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) other than those listed in section below.

(E) Any metabolite and/or analog of any of the above described forbidden drugs or substances.

(2) Conditionally permitted therapeutic medication: Any drug, medication or substance that could affect the performance of a horse that is used for the legitimate treatment of illness or injury and is not specified as a forbidden substance as defined in sections above. Approved therapeutic antibiotics may be given by a licensed veterinarian. Approved antibiotics includes only those without masking ingredients. Use of these drugs or substances is forbidden and use thereof subjects the person to disciplinary action, unless all conditions of their administration are met. Each of the following requirements is a condition to authorize administration of conditionally permitted therapeutic medications, which shall be verified in a written medication report, available from SRCHA or show management, completed in its entirety, and filed with show management before exhibition of the horse.

(A) Administration by a licensed veterinarian which documents administration of medication is necessary for the legitimate treatment of illness or injury.

(B) The horse must be withdrawn and kept out of competition for not less than 24 hours after the medication is administered.

(C) Identification of the medication: the name, amount, strength/concentration and mode of administration.

(D) Date and time of administration.

(E) Identification of the horse: name, age, sex, color and entry number.

(F) Diagnosis of illness/injury, reason for administration, and name of administering and/or prescribing veterinarian.

(G) Signature of veterinarian or person administering the medication. If by prescription (written instructions), a copy must be attached to the medication report.

(H) The medication report must be filed with show management within one hour after administration of the medication or one hour after show management is available, if administration occurs at a time other than during competition hours.

(I) The medication report must be signed by show management and time of receipt recorded on the report.

(J) While the medication report must be filed only if the administered medication will be present in amounts detectable in blood and/or urine samples at the time of competition/ sampling, exhibitors are hereby cautioned it is their responsibility to determine whether or not such medication has had time to clear the horse’s system.

IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT, A MEDICATION REPORT SHOULD BE FILED.

(K) Regardless of whether the medication report requirements described above are met, laboratory detection of concentration levels of an otherwise conditionally permitted therapeutic drug that are inconsistent with the administration of a therapeutic dosage of such drug (including, but not limited to, inconsistencies regarding reported dosage and time constraints) shall constitute presumption of a violation of this rule, and the responsible party has the burden of persuasion to establish that the drug was administered in a therapeutic dosage and not less than 24 hours prior to competition.

(L) Unless all of the conditionally permitted therapeutic medication requirements listed in section 2 are met, it shall be considered a rule violation if the same plasma or urine sample contains more than one (1) of the permitted NSAIDs listed in section (3)(C)(1-8) below.

(3) Restrictions concerning the use of conditionally permitted therapeutic medications that may be administered within 24 hours of showing:

(A) Subject to the specified restrictions, only those thirteen (13) drugs or medications listed in section (3)(C)(1-13) below may be administered within 24 hours of showing. The provisions in (3)(C)(1-12) below contain rules concerning maximum allowable plasma concentration levels followed by “Guidelines”.

The Guidelines are applicable to most horses. Nevertheless, reliance upon the Guidelines does not guarantee compliance with the rules, since the response of individual horses may vary. Exhibitors, owners, and trainers should consult the drug manufacturer and knowledgeable veterinarians for up to date information and more specific advice concerning the therapeutic use of a drug or medication for a particular horse.

The guidelines, if needed, will minimize the chances of positive drug tests. However, all responsible parties are cautioned that the guidelines are only general guidelines, and it is their responsibility to see to it that conditions prevail for full compliance with all SRCHA rules. Reliance upon the guidelines will not serve as a defense to a charge of violation of the rule in the event of a positive drug test.

Should the testing laboratory report the presence of one of the drugs or medications listed in section (3)(C)(1-13) below in an amount greater than what would be consistent with the Guidelines or at a level higher than a specified maximum permitted plasma concentration, the matter will be reviewed and disciplinary action may be taken.

(B) Regardless of whether all of the conditionally permitted therapeutic medication requirements for a specific NSAID listed below are met, it shall be considered a rule violation if the same plasma or urine sample contains more than one (1) of the NSAIDs listed in section (3)(C)(1-8) below.

(C) Only those twelve (12) drugs or medications listed in section (3)(C)(1-12) below may be administered within 24 hours of showing:

(1) Phenylbutazone (an NSAID) - The maximum permitted plasma concentration of phenylbutazone is 15.0 micrograms per milliliter. Guidelines: When phenylbutazone is administered, the dose should be accurately calculated according to the actual weight of the animal. Each 24 hours, not more than 2.0 milligrams per pound of body weight should be administered, preferably less. For a 1,000 pound animal, the maximum daily dose is 2.0 grams, which equals two 1.0 gram tablets, or two 1.0 gram units of paste, or 10.0 cc of the injectable (200 milligrams per milliliter). Neither a total daily dose nor part of an injectable dose should be administered during the 12 hours prior to competing. In the event the phenylbutazone is administered orally, half of the maximum daily dose (1.0 gram per 1,000 lbs) can be administered each 12 hours during a five day treatment program. Phenylbutazone should not be used for more than five successive days.

(2) Diclofenac (Surpass) (an NSAID) - The maximum permitted plasma concentration of Diclofenac (Surpass) is 0.005 micrograms per milliliter. Guidelines: Every 12 hours, not more than 73 mg of diclofenac liposomal cream should be administered (not more than 146 mg per 24 hour period) to one affected site. This 73 mg dose equals a 5-inch ribbon of cream not greater than 1/2 inch in width, which should be rubbed thoroughly into the hair over the joint or affected site using gloved hands. Administration of diclofenac cream should be discontinued 12 hours prior to competing. Do not apply diclofenac cream in combination with any other topical preparations including DMSO, nitrofurazone or liniments, and do not use on an open wound. Diclofenac cream should not be administered for more than 10 successive days.

(3) Flunixin (an NSAID) - The maximum permitted plasma concentration of Flunixin is 1.0 microgram per milliliter. Guidelines: When Flunixin Meglumine (Banamine®) is administered, the dose should be accurately calculated according to the actual weight of the animal. Each 24 hours, not more than 0.5 milligrams per pound of body weight should be administered. For a 1,000 pound animal, the maximum daily dose is 500 milligrams, which equals two 250 milligram packets of granules, or one 500 milligram packet of granules, or 500 milligrams of the oral paste (available in 1,500 milligram dose syringes), or 10.0 cc of the injectable (50 milligrams per milliliter). No part of a dose should be administered during the twelve (12) hours prior to competing. Any medicated feed must be consumed and/or removed at least twelve (12) hours prior to competing. The medication should not be used for more than five successive days.

(4) Ketoprofen (an NSAID) - The maximum permitted plasma concentration of Ketoprofen is 40.0 nanograms per milliliter. Guidelines: When Ketoprofen (Ketofen®) is administered, the dose should be accurately calculated according to the actual weight of the animal. Each 24 hours, not more than 1.0 milligram per pound of body weight should be administered. For a 1,000 pound animal, the maximum daily dose is 1.0 gram, which equals 10.0 cc of the injectable (100 milligrams per milliliter). No part of a dose should be administered during the twelve (12) hours prior to competing. The medication should not be used for more than five successive days.

(5) Meclofenamic Acid (an NSAID) - The maximum permitted plasma concentration of Meclofenamic Acid (Arquel®) is 2.5 micrograms per milliliter. Guidelines: When Meclofenamic Acid is administered, the dose should be accurately calculated according to the actual weight of the animal. Each 12 hours, not more than 0.5 milligram per pound of body weight should be administered, preferably less. For a 1,000 pound animal, the maximum 12 hour dose is 0.5 gram, which equals one 500 milligram packet of granules. The medication should not be used for more than five successive days.

(6) Naproxen (an NSAID) - The maximum permitted plasma concentration of Naproxen is 40.0 micrograms per milliliter. Guidelines: When Naproxen is administered, the dose should be accurately calculated according to the actual weight of the animal. Each 24 hours, not more than 4.0 milligrams per pound of body weight should be administered. For a 1,000 pound animal, the maximum daily dose is 4.0 grams, which equals eight 500 milligram tablets. No part of a dose should be administered during the twelve (12) hours prior to competing. Any medicated feed should be consumed and/or removed at least twelve (12) hours prior to competing. The medication should not be used for more than five successive days.

(7) Firocoxib (Equioxx) (an NSAID) - The maximum permitted plasma concentration of Firocoxib (Equioxx) is 0.240 micrograms per milliliter.

Guidelines: When Firocoxib (Equioxx) is administered, the dose should be accurately calculated according to the actual weight of the animal. For a 1,000 pound animal, the maximum daily does is 45.5 milligrams, which equals 0.1 milligram per kilogram of body weight once daily. No part of a dose should be administered during the 12 hours prior to competition. Firocoxib (Equioxx) should not be administered for more than 14 successive days.

(8) Eltenac (an NSAID) - (PENDING FDA APPROVAL – SEE BELOW) The maximum permitted plasma concentration of Eltenac is 0.1 microgram per milliliter. Guidelines: When Eltenac is administered, the dose should be accurately calculated according to the actual weight of the animal. Each 24 hours, not more than 0.25 milligram per pound of body weight should be administered, preferably less. For a 1,000 pound animal, the maximum daily dose is 250 milligrams, which equals 5.0 cc of the injectable (50 milligrams per milliliter). No part of a dose should be administered during the 12 hours prior to competing. Eltenac should not be administered for more than five successive days. ELTENAC HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR USE PENDING FDA APPROVAL. THIS MEDICATION MAY NOT BE USED UNTIL THE NRCHA HAS NOTIFIED MEMBERS AND EXHIBITORS OF THE FDA APPROVAL.

(9) Acetazolamide - may only be administered to horses documented through DNA testing to be positive (N/H or H/H) for HYPP (Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis). While these rules do not contain a maximum allowable plasma concentration level for Acetazolamide, laboratory detection of levels of Acetazolamide that are not consistent with administration in accordance with the following Guidelines may result in prosecution of a rule violation. Guidelines: When acetazolamide is administered, the dose should be accurately calculated according to the actual weight of the animal. Each 24 hours, not more than 3 milligrams per pound of body weight should be administered. For a 1000 pound animal, the maximum daily dose is 3 grams.

(10) Furosemide or Lasix® - When used must be administered intravenously at least four hours prior to competition.

(11) Isoxsuprine - Guidelines: When administered, the dose should be accurately calculated according to the actual weight of the animal. Each 24 hours, not more than 1.6 milligrams per pound of body weight should be administered (usually divided in two equal doses given 12 hours apart). For a 1,000 pound animal, the maximum daily dose is 1,600 milligrams, which equals 80 20- milligram tablets. No part of a dose should be administered during the four hours prior to competing. Any medicated feed should be consumed and/or removed at least four hours prior to competing.

(12) Dexamethasone - The maximum permitted plasma concentration is 3.0 nanograms per milliliter at the time of competition. Guidelines: In order to help trainers, owners and their veterinarians achieve compliance with this rule in connection with the therapeutic use of dexamethasone, it should be administered in accordance with the guidelines below. These guidelines include several alternative scenarios for dose time and route of administration. Whenever dexamethasone is administered, the dose should be accurately calculated according to the actual weight of the animal. Alternative Number 1. (2.0 mg or less per 100 pounds IV or IM at 12 or more hours before competition). Each 24 hours, not more than 2.0 milligrams of dexamethasone injectable solution per 100 pounds of body weight should be administered intravenously or intramuscularly, preferably less. For a 1,000 pound animal, the maximum daily intravenous or intramuscular dose of dexamethasone injectable solution is 20.0 milligrams, which equals 5.0 milliliters of the injectable solution (4.0 milligrams per milliliter). No part of this dose should be administered during the 12 hours prior to competing. Dexamethasone should not be administered for more than five successive days. Alternative Number 2. (0.5 mg or less per 100 pounds IV at 6 or more hours before competition). Each 24 hours, not more than 0.5 milligram of dexamethasone injectable solution per 100 pounds of body weight should be administered intravenously, preferably less. For a 1,000 pound animal, the maximum daily intravenous dose of dexamethasone injectable solution is 5.0 milligrams, which equals 1.25 milliliters of the injectable solution (4.0 milligrams per milliliter). No part of this dose should be administered during the six hours prior to competing. Dexamethasone should not be administered for more than five successive days. Alternative Number 3. (1.0 mg or less per 100 pounds orally at 6 or more hours before competition). Each 24 hours, not more than 1.0 milligram of dexamethasone powder per 100 pounds of body weight should be administered orally, preferably less. For a 1,000 pound animal, the maximum daily oral dose of dexamethasone

powder is 10.0 milligrams, which equals one packet of dexamethasone powder (10.0 milligrams per packet). No part of this dose should be administered during the 6 hours prior to competing. Any medicated feed should be either consumed or removed at least six (6) hours prior to competing. Dexamethasone should not be administered for more than five successive days.

(D) In the case of sickness or injury to a horse at the event, therapeutic medication may be given to a horse by a licensed veterinarian under actual observation by event management or designated representative to treat a condition/illness/injury that would not prevent the horse from competing following treatment. An example is Lidocaine/Mepivicaine - used under actual observation of event management (or designated

representative) and/or the official show veterinarian, either of which must sign the medication report form, to aid in the surgical repair of a minor skin laceration which, by its very nature, would not prevent the horse from competing following surgery. Another example would be treatment of a horse for a mild colic with Banamine that already had an NSAID in the allowed amount in its system. Medication must be done in the presence of show management or designated representative and report form must be filed with show management as required above.

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