We would like to add the agreed upon rules regarding the extended lane/passing lane to our official rule book.
The health, safety, and welfare of racehorses have become significant concerns in the horse racing industry due to the high physical demands placed on these animals and the risks they face during training and competition. Ensuring their well-being involves a combination of ethical practices, veterinary care, and regulatory compliance.
Equine infectious anemia - There is no cure for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), nor is there a vaccine that will prevent a horse from becoming infected. Control for this risk on racetracks is directly related to the requirement of a negative Coggins test for each horse before it enters the racetrack property.
The shortage of racehorses in Alberta is a pressing issue, and the trend of horses being claimed for purposes outside of racing, such as for Chuckwagon and Indian Relay races, is contributing to the problem. This is not only reducing the pool of racehorses available for Alberta meets but also affecting the sustainability of the racing industry in the province.
It is necessary to introduce specific regulations ensure horses claimed within the racing industry remain in the racing circuits in Alberta before going to other uses.
This rule is designed to ensure horses are fit and actively competing after being claimed, while also holding trainers accountable for following regulations.
Horses not being allowed to wear protective bandages (polos etc). REF: Rule- 221-2
I would like to change the no dogs in the stable area rule
Currently, a licensed owner of a thoroughbred racehorse may only have one stable name. This limits the owner's ability to diversify their involvement in the industry and restricts potential growth opportunities for both the owners and the sport as a whole.
Rule 122 g Shock Wave Therapy
This rule does not give us specific information as to who can have the Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy machine and the Radial Pulse Wave Therapy machine. The rule does state a practicing licensed veterinarian can use these machines. As well, it should be mandatory to register these machines every year which is not indicated in the rule.
The existing rule of 4.15 hours prior to the first race going to post for all standardbred trainers shipping into race at Alberta racetracks imposes economic, logistical, and quality-of-life challenges on these trainers. 60% of standardbred trainers ship in to race, and that number is expected to grow as the horse population increases and stabling space is limited at the racetracks. The current ship-in-time requirements for standardbreds in Alberta are misaligned with those of other standardbred jurisdictions competing for the same horses and trainers.
Shockwave therapy is a valuable, non-invasive, drug-free, non-painful therapeutic tool that helps keep racehorses sound and improves longevity. Shockwave therapy helps horses and small heal faster and optimize their physical performance. Alberta currently prohibits the use of shockwave therapy 10 days prior to an event. Other Canadian racing jurisdictions allow use 4 or 5 days prior to an event.
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