The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) will test for performance-enhancing medications at approximately 300 approved shows. The efforts to protect the American Quarter Horse comes from a recommendation made by a drug and medications task force and will launch in January 2005.

“Our No. 1 responsibility is to protect our athletes, which include the horse and the rider, and I think the new policy will accomplish that goal,” said AQHA Executive Vice President Bill Brewer. “We are very excited to offer this service to our horses and members, and I am confident that it will present a positive message to the industry.”

AQHA plans to spend nearly $1 million in 2005 for the additional testing.

To fund the project, the task force recommended that each horse entered in a show be charged a $3 fee applicable within the United States except California where the state already charges $5 per horse for in-state testing. The fee will be collected per horse, per show beginning March 1, 2005