Equine Medication Monitoring
In 1971, the California horse industry sponsored legislation to deter the misuse of drugs and medications in show and sale horses. The program has evolved over the years into today's Equine Medication Monitoring Program (EMMP) implemented by the CDFA. Drugs and medications guidelines can be found within Equine Medication Monitoring Program brochure, January 1, 2008 (PDF 158 KB).
Objective
The objective of the EMMP is to deter the use of drugs and medications altering performance and behavior in show and sale horses. Penalties,including fines, loss of awards, and suspension, provide a high level of deterrence to potential violators. Deterrence is also established through visibility of the program, i.e., frequently watching horses being selected for testing.
Funding
A $5 fee, per horse, per event, funds the EMMP.
Procedure
Upcoming events must register with CDFA at least 30 days in advance. Each year, approximately 1,800 events register with the EMMP drug testing program. Blood and urine samples taken at events are submitted for chemical analysis to the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at U.C. Davis. Horses are randomly selected for drug sampling with the emphasis placed on class winners at shows.
Documents
- Registration Instructions and Guidelines for the Equine Medication Monitoring Program (PDF 16 KB)
- Official Declaration of Drugs Administered (PDF 31 KB)
- Sales Yard / Auction Yard Assessment Form (PDF 79 KB)
- Application to Register Equine Event (PDF 361 KB)
Contact us for more information:
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Animal Health and Food Safety Services, Animal Health Branch
1220 N Street, Room A-107
Sacramento, California 95814
Telephone: (916) 654-1447
Fax: (916) 653-2215
or send an email to: ahbfeedback@cdfa.ca.gov