The duration of the suspensions imposed on horses suffering an epistaxis has been carefully considered by The National Horseracing Authority Veterinary Surgeons.
It was established that after studying the relevant statistics over the past Racing season that there has been no noticeable increase in epistaxis in horses that return to racing, following a 60 day suspension after a first episode.
Ed: Epistaxis—essentially an equine nosebleed—is a common condition that can range from a few drops of blood in one nostril to large volumes of blood draining from both nostrils. Sources of blood can include the upper and/or lower respiratory tract, the sinuses, and the guttural pouches.
The proposal was approved by the National Board of Directors to maintain the suspension for a first bleed of 60 days and to reduce the suspension for a second bleed from 180 days to 120 days.
Furthermore, a horse (after suffering an epistaxis) will return to non-bleeder status following 3 (three) clear races of not suffering an epistaxis.
-National Horseracing Authority
