To all trainers 

Trainers are kindly reminded of the important requirements around medication control and record-keeping in your stables, particularly the correct labelling of medications and daily entries into the Veterinary Treatment Register (VTR). 

Veterinary Treatment Register (VTR):

All treatments and medications (including those prescribed for ongoing use, e.g., Acepromazine or Furosemide) must be accurately recorded in the VTR on the same day of administration. The register should be kept up to date at all times. 

Schedule 3 medications and above, as well as all compounded medicines, must be:

• Prescribed by a veterinarian
• Properly labelled with the following:
  • Active ingredient(s)
  • Name of the owner/trainer
  • Name of the horse
  • Dosage, route & frequency
  • Name & address of the dispensing vet or pharmacy
  • Date dispensed
  • VTR page number 

Please note:

• Expired medication may not be used under any circumstances, even in welfare cases. Such items must be removed from the yard and returned to the vet or pharmacy for safe disposal.
• Compounded medication has a legal shelf life of 30 days and must not be relabelled or used after expiry.
• Relabelling of all other medication every 30 days is no longer required. However, any medication, drug, or related substance that is expired, unused, or left over from a previous treatment must be discarded appropriately.⁠ 

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation in ensuring compliance with the Rules of the NHA and safeguarding horse welfare.