Veterinary Notices

All Standardbred and Thoroughbred trainers (along with interested drivers, jockeys, owners, Stewards, stable-hands, veterinarians, farriers and prospective trainers) are invited to attend this forum.

Date: Thursday 27th November 2008
Time: 6pm - 8pm.
Venue: Ascot Racecourse.
Light refreshments will be provided.

Presented topics will include;

• New treatments for Equine Joint Disease - Dr. David Murphy – Murdoch University
• Murdoch University’s Equine Centre is the first in WA to treat equine degenerative joint disease, or osteoarthritis (OA), with autologous conditioned serum, or "IRAP", which is produced from the horses own blood.
• How to avoid a "positive" when using therapeutic medication on horses - presented by RWWA vets.
• RWWA Animal Welfare Group (RAWG) - monitoring and protecting the welfare of racing animals.

Trainers are asked to check the RWWA website harness and thoroughbred veterinary home pages for important updates on the topics presented and speakers.

All interested participants are requested to advise the Perth Racing reception - 9277 0777 of their intention to attend.

The Australian Racing Board and the Australian Harness Racing Council have confirmed that hydroxyprogesterone caproate is a prohibited substance in racing under the relevant definitions contained in Thoroughbred Racing rule ARR 178B and Harness Racing rule 188A. Please refer to the circluar below for details.

• Circular to All Trainers - Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate ( PDF 24KB )

All Trainers and Industry participants are asked to take note of the following change being made by the laboratories that test RWWA pre-race TCO2 samples.

• TCO2 Testing ( PDF 33KB )

The collar pictured above is an anti-cribbing (wind sucking) device for horses. They receive an electric shock to the throat area when attempting to crib or wind-suck.

Under several Australian states Animal Welfare Acts the use of this collar is considered an offence.

Under the Rules of Racing the device can be considered to be an implement capable of inflicting cruelty to an animal.

Trainers are advised that RWWA does not support the use of this device. Stewards have been requested to retain these collars if they are found on licensed premises during stable inspections.

Trainers are advised that any 'Veterinary Certificates of Soundness' required must now be lodged with the Stewards department before a horse either races or trials.

Trainers are advised that ELASTOPLAST-type bandages applied in any fashion must now be STITCHED at the outside join before any horse may race.

The requirement for securing self-stick bandages eg. Equisport, Coflex or Vetrap has not altered. They must be TAPED or STITCHED at the outside join. Self stick bandages that are to be applied as 'bumper bandages' around the fetlock joints must be applied in a figure of eight configuration and either TAPED or STICHED at the outside join.