Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 178 - Racing Commission
Chapter 7890 - HORSE MEDICATION
Part 7890.0140 - BLEEDERS

Subpart 1. Examination of bleeders.

A horse that is alleged to have bled externally from one or both nostrils in Minnesota must be physically examined by a commission veterinarian to confirm its inclusion on the veterinarian's list. The examination must be performed within 1-1/2 hours following the finish of a race or exercise in which the horse has participated.

Subp. 2. [See repealer.]

Subp. 3. Bleeders imported from other jurisdictions.

A horse shipped into Minnesota from another jurisdiction shall be allowed to race on furosemide provided it raced on furosemide in its last start, and documentation to that effect is submitted to and accepted by the commission veterinarian at the Minnesota racetrack to which it is shipped.

Subp. 4. Horses placed on the veterinarian's list.

Bleeders shall be placed on the veterinarian's list and shall be ineligible to be entered in a race pursuant to subpart 5.

Subp. 5. Restrictions on bleeders.

Bleeders shall be subject to the following restrictions.

Subp. 6. Furosemide may be permitted. A horse three years of age and older is eligible to race with furosemide if the licensed trainer and licensed veterinarian determine that it would be in the horse's best interests to race with furosemide. Once a horse has raced with furosemide, it must continue to race with furosemide in all subsequent races unless a request is made to discontinue the use. If the use of furosemide is discontinued, the horse shall be prohibited from again racing with furosemide unless it is later observed to be bleeding pursuant to subpart 1 or the horse is claimed or transferred to a different licensed trainer. A horse that is claimed or transferred to a different licensed trainer is eligible to race with furosemide if the new trainer and a licensed veterinarian employed by the new owner or trainer determine that it would be in the horse's best interest to race with furosemide. Requests for the use of or discontinuance of furosemide must be made to the commission veterinarian by the horse's current trainer or assistant trainer on a form prescribed by the commission on or before the day of entry into the race for which the request is made.

Subp. 7. [Repealed, 14 SR 332 42 SR 1258]

Subp. 7a. Conditions required for furosemide administration.

Furosemide shall be administered intravenously by a licensed veterinarian employed by the owner or trainer of the horse, or by the commission veterinarian. The furosemide must be administered a minimum of four hours before scheduled post time for any bleeder entered to race and the dose level of furosemide must be no less than 150 milligrams and must not exceed 250 milligrams (no less than three nor more than five milliliters of a 50 milligram/milliliter or five percent solution) per administration.

The practicing veterinarian must deposit with the commission veterinarian an unopened supply of furosemide and sterile hypodermic needles and syringes to be used for the administration. The furosemide must be administered under the supervision of a person employed by the commission.

A horse on the official furosemide list must show a detectable concentration of the drug in the post-race serum or plasma sample.

Subp. 8. [Repealed, 14 SR 332]

Subp. 9. [Repealed, 14 SR 332]

Subp. 10. Responsibility of trainer.

The trainer is responsible for ensuring that the horse is available at the appropriate time for its treatment. After having been administered furosemide, the horse shall at all times be in the care, custody, and under the supervision of the trainer or a licensed person assigned by the trainer. The horse must remain in its own stall until it is taken to the paddock to be saddled or harnessed for a race. It shall not be handled by anyone other than the trainer, the owner, or the employees listed on the trainer's signed statement. If emergency veterinary attention becomes necessary, the trainer is responsible for immediately notifying the commission veterinarian of the nature of the need and of the identity of the responding veterinarian. The trainer shall be responsible for the guarding, condition, care, and handling of the horse at all times and ensuring that a handler is present to restrain and serve as a designated witness to the furosemide administration. If no handler is present and the administration time has passed, no furosemide shall be administered and the stewards shall be notified. Trainers are responsible for ensuring that a veterinarian licensed by the commission has agreed to administer furosemide at the designated time.