Describe the Issue
The current Horse Racing Alberta rules governing Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) certification do not establish a mandatory stand-down period for horses newly placed on the EIPH certified list.
This proposal seeks to introduce a mandatory ten (10) clear-day stand-down period commencing on the date of official placement on the EIPH certified list. During this period, the horse would be ineligible to participate in qualifying races or pari-mutuel races.
The purpose of this amendment is to promote equine health and welfare by providing an appropriate recovery period before a newly certified horse returns to competitive racing, while establishing a clear and consistently enforceable standard for racing officials.
What specific problems or concerns are involved in this issue?
Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) is a recognized condition in racehorses involving bleeding within the respiratory system following strenuous exercise.
Under the current EIPH certification process, a newly certified horse may be eligible to race without a mandatory recovery period following its placement on the EIPH certified list. This raises concerns regarding equine welfare, particularly where a horse may return to strenuous competition before sufficient recovery has occurred.
Veterinary feedback obtained during consultation indicates that horses experiencing confirmed EIPH would ordinarily benefit from a period of rest, with a recommendation of approximately 14 days before resuming highly aerobic activity.
The absence of a mandatory stand-down period creates an inconsistency between veterinary recommendations for recovery and the regulatory requirements governing eligibility to race.
This proposal seeks to address that concern by establishing a consistent minimum recovery period for all newly EIPH-certified horses.
Who does the issue affect?
This issue primarily affects racehorses newly diagnosed and certified with Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH), whose health and welfare are the principal considerations. It also affects owners, trainers, drivers, jockeys, practising veterinarians, official veterinarians, racing officials, racing secretaries, and Horse Racing Alberta regulatory personnel.
Owners and trainers would be required to account for the mandatory stand-down period when planning racing schedules. Veterinarians would continue to provide the necessary examination and certification documentation, while racing officials and administrative personnel would be responsible for monitoring eligibility and ensuring consistent enforcement.
The proposed amendment would apply equally to affected horses and participants, providing a uniform regulatory standard.
What existing HRA rules relate to this issue?
The proposed amendment relates to Horse Racing Alberta Rule 130(g), together with the associated provisions under Rules 131(g) and 132(g), governing Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) certification and related racing eligibility requirements.
The proposal seeks to establish a mandatory ten (10) clear-day stand-down period for horses newly placed on the EIPH certified list, during which they would be ineligible to participate in qualifying races or pari-mutuel races.
Any corresponding amendments to related provisions would be intended to ensure consistency in the administration and enforcement of the proposed stand-down requirement.
What solution does this proposal provide?
This proposal introduces a mandatory ten (10) clear-day stand-down period for any horse newly placed on the Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) certified list.
The stand-down period would commence on the date the horse is officially placed on the EIPH certified list. Neither the date of certification nor the date of the horse's next race would count toward the ten clear days.
During this period, the horse would be ineligible to participate in qualifying races or pari-mutuel races.
The amendment establishes a uniform minimum recovery period intended to protect equine health and welfare while providing a clear and enforceable standard for racing participants and regulatory officials.
How will the solution fix the problem?
The proposed amendment addresses the absence of a mandatory stand-down period for newly EIPH-certified horses by preventing their immediate return to competitive racing.
Veterinary consultation has indicated that horses experiencing confirmed EIPH would ordinarily benefit from approximately 14 days of rest from highly aerobic activity. The proposed ten-clear-day stand-down period establishes a minimum regulatory safeguard while recognizing that individual horses may require additional recovery time based on veterinary assessment.
Using the official EIPH certification date provides a consistent and verifiable starting point, reducing uncertainty associated with delayed veterinary reporting or retrospective identification of a bleeding episode.
The amendment would help ensure that recovery considerations are incorporated into racing eligibility requirements rather than relying solely on individual racing schedules or management decisions.
How will the change affect any entities or stakeholders?
The primary impact would be on newly EIPH-certified horses, whose health and welfare would receive additional protection through a mandatory stand-down period.
Owners and trainers would need to accommodate the ten-clear-day restriction when planning qualifying races and race entries. This may result in a temporary adjustment to individual horses' racing schedules.
Practising veterinarians would continue to provide the necessary examinations and certification documentation. Horse Racing Alberta regulatory personnel, racing secretaries and racing officials would be responsible for ensuring that newly certified horses are not entered or permitted to race before completing the required stand-down period.
Implementation may require an administrative tracking procedure to record the official certification date and the corresponding date of racing eligibility.
The proposed requirement would apply consistently to all newly EIPH-certified horses, providing clarity and equal treatment across the industry.
What are the benefits of the proposed change?
The principal benefit of this proposal is improved equine health and welfare through the establishment of a mandatory stand-down period following initial EIPH certification.
The proposed amendment would reduce the risk of newly EIPH-certified horses returning prematurely to strenuous racing activity, establish a consistent minimum recovery period, and provide owners, trainers and racing officials with clear and predictable eligibility requirements.
It would also promote consistent enforcement, strengthen preventative horse welfare measures, and reinforce Horse Racing Alberta's commitment to responsible racing practices.
Importantly, this proposal complements rather than replaces the existing bleeder list regulations, including the mandatory 14-day restriction following a first reportable bleeding occurrence. It addresses the separate regulatory gap involving horses newly placed on the EIPH certified list.
What are the possible drawbacks of the proposed change?
The proposed amendment may result in temporary scheduling restrictions for owners and trainers whose horses are newly placed on the EIPH certified list. This could affect planned race entries and associated earning opportunities.
Veterinary consultation has also identified two administrative considerations.
First, the date of the actual bleeding episode may precede the date the horse is officially added to the EIPH certified list due to delays in receiving veterinary documentation. Under this proposal, the ten-clear-day period would nevertheless commence on the official certification date to maintain a consistent and verifiable regulatory standard.
Second, Horse Racing Alberta may need to establish or modify an administrative tracking procedure to record certification dates and determine subsequent racing eligibility.
These considerations are manageable through clear procedures and communication between veterinarians, regulatory personnel and racing offices.
For those stakeholder groups that have expressed an opinion, please list the points on which they agree or disagree, and the arguments they have expressed.
The proposed amendment has received support from Dr. Dale Gibson and Dr. Gigi Van Ostrand, both official racetrack veterinarians, as well as the Alberta Quarter Horse Racing Association (AQHRA) and the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA). This support reflects a shared commitment to equine health and welfare through the proposed ten-clear-day stand-down period for newly EIPH-certified horses. Note there was no response from HBPA
Are there any affected stakeholder groups that have not been consulted on this proposal?
No
Please show new language in a new paragraph below the current wording. If you are proposing that current rule language be eliminated, please indicate the text to be deleted with [DELETE: copy to be deleted in square brackets]
EXISTING RULE 130(g) — EIPH ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
The existing provisions of Rule 130(g), subsections (1) and (2), governing eligibility and certification for the EIPH Program, shall remain unchanged.
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PROPOSED ADDITION — NEW RULE 130(g)(3) A horse newly certified and placed on the EIPH certified list shall not be eligible to participate in a qualifying race or pari-mutuel race until ten (10) clear days have elapsed from the date the horse is officially placed on the EIPH certified list.
For the purpose of calculating the ten (10) clear days, neither the date of placement on the EIPH certified list nor the date of the proposed race shall be counted.
This requirement shall apply to all horses newly certified for the EIPH Program and shall not replace, reduce or supersede any existing restrictions imposed under Rules 128(g) and 129(g), governing the bleeder list.
Where both the EIPH certification stand-down and bleeder list restrictions apply, the horse must satisfy both requirements before becoming eligible to race.
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NO EXISTING RULE LANGUAGE IS PROPOSED FOR DELETION.
RELATED RULES:
Rule 131(g) — EIPH Certified List: The official veterinarian shall continue to maintain the EIPH certified list, including the date of initial certification, to facilitate enforcement of the proposed stand-down period.
Rule 132(g) — Remaining on the EIPH Program: The existing requirement for horses to remain in the EIPH Program for 100 days following their most recent certification shall remain unchanged.
If yes, please attach copies of those rules.
Submit proposed amendments to those rules to comply with changes that would be made by this proposal.
This proposal relates to Rules 130(g), 131(g), and 132(g), governing EIPH certification and administration of the EIPH certified list.
Any necessary consequential amendments should ensure that horses newly placed on the EIPH certified list are subject to a mandatory ten (10) clear-day stand-down period, commencing on the official date of placement. During this period, the horse shall be ineligible to participate in qualifying or pari-mutuel races.
The existing bleeder list provisions under Rules 128(g) and 129(g), including the mandatory 14-day restriction following a first reportable bleeding occurrence and any longer restrictions for subsequent occurrences, shall remain unchanged.
The proposed ten-day EIPH certification stand-down is a separate requirement and shall not replace, reduce, or supersede any existing bleeder list restriction. Where both restrictions apply, the horse must satisfy both before becoming eligible to race.
Any administrative amendments should provide for recording the EIPH certification date and the corresponding racing eligibility date to ensure consistent enforcement.
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