Withholding Time List
A number of years ago, the Association’s National Council asked me to find out if the NZ Vet Association would provide a list of withholding time for various drugs and treatment, in other words, how long after a treatment a horse could race, without providing a positive swab result.
After an exchange of views, it was clear that I was up against a brick wall, so the matter was not persevered with. Yesterday, a notice was posted on the HRNZ (and subsequently the RIB site) that a new list of times had been released, and trainers were advised to contact their vet. However, when I contacted our vet, I was told that the full list was not available, and I was advised of two changes. I replied saying that it was of little use supplying changes to a list that I didn’t have!
Yesterday morning, prior to the above communication, I noticed the RIB website had a news item which advised that the list was available and provided a link to it. As I was short of time, I decided to leave it, and download it when I returned home. When I went back on the site, there it was…gone!
Doubting my sanity for a moment, I contacted the RIB and was advised the list had been posted, but was withdrawn, apparently on the request of the NZVA. Interestingly, I was also advised that the RIB don’t necessarily agree with the stance that the list should not be available to trainers, and are pursuing a change.
My vet subsequently claimed that the reason for the non-distribution of the list of times was because they can change and trainers may not be aware of this. That seems to be somewhat of a contradiction, given that they had earlier advised of the two recent changes. Why can that not happen whenever the changes are made? I suspect the reasons are more to do with the fact that the NZVA has a monopoly in the supply of many substances and treatments that are freely available from horse product suppliers, and cheaper, across the Tasman, and they don’t wish to encourage trainers to purchase them without some knowledge of their withholding times.
The other concerning aspect of this situation, is that the RIB has been supplied with a copy of the list. In other words, the enforcer of the Rules has such knowledge available, while the user (trainer), who, under the Rules bears strict liability if things go South, has no such information at hand. I liken it to the police having a list of illegal acts which result in arrest, the details of which are kept secret from the public.
Pete Cook