Use of Calming Agent in Racehorses Examined

Racing officials are taking a close look at the calming agent GABA, which was banned by the USEF in 2012.
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The horse racing industry is taking a closer look at a relaxant that produces optimum results when administered within a few hours of a race.

The drug, gamma-aminobutyric acid (or GABA), was banned by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) in 2012. The substance, a supplement also known as "Carolina Gold," was found by USEF research to have "many adverse reactions" in horses.

GABA is an amino acid natural to a horse’s system. At higher levels it has a calming effect that can conserve a horse’s energy prior to a race.

Attorney Alan Foreman, chairman of the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association who has experience in USEF drug cases, said March 27 if too much GABA is administered, "a horse will drop." He said the substance must be administered intravenously

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Tom LaMarra, a native of New Jersey and graduate of Rutgers University, has been news editor at The Blood-Horse since 1998. After graduation he worked at newspapers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania as an editor and reporter with a focus on municipal government and politics. He also worked at Daily Racing Form and Thoroughbred Times before joining The Blood-Horse. LaMarra, who has lived in Lexington since 1994, has won various writing awards and was recognized with the Old Hilltop Award for outstanding coverage of the horse racing industry. He likes to spend some of his spare time handicapping races.

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