The Maryland Racing Commission is right on the hooves of Texas. Maryland is the latest states to issue a ban on the use of Steroids on racing horses.  Like Texas, Maryland is banning the use of anabolic steroids on all racing horse. Vets and racehorse owners found to violate the ban will be dealt with accordingly. Veterinarians are still allowed to administer the small amounts of steroids, but only if there is a valid veterinary reason.

Steroid use in horse racing was brought to light after Big Brown’s trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. admitted to having used steroids to improve the horse’s performance. Big Brown is most known for his Preakness Stakes and Kentucky Derby wins.

Michael Hopkins who serves as executive director for the Maryland Racing commission had this to say:

“These particular compounds have gone unchecked for a number of years,” supplied Hopkins. “The control of them is very good for the industry.”

January 2009 marks the official ban implementation. The remaining months of 2008 are given to horse racers and owners to allow their horses to work the steroids off their system. Steroids not only result in an unfair race, it is also potentially harmful to the health of the horses.