A regulation banning steroids use on horses has been approved in Kentucky.

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear was the one to approve the regulation. Testing on race horses will begin before the Fall Racing season. The horses will be tested for common steroids such as testosterone, nandrolone and boldenone. The regulation will affect both Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing.

Governor Beshear has been quoted saying: “This is a historic day in Kentucky racing. This action demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the integrity of racing and the safety of its competitors.”

Beshear has also announced that no testing will be done during the first month of the ban. Horse Racing officials go on to say that horse owners should not interpret the 30 day period as a chance to pump their horses with steroids. Instead it is a time for them to allow the horses to work the steroids out of their system so that they test negative come race day. Owners with race horses found positive for steroids will be facing serious disciplinary action. Some of them may even be banned from the competitions for life.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has also advised Kentucky veterinarians against injecting horses with anabolic steroids. Racing horses in Kentucky may only receive steroids on a therapeutic basis.