Tracks in Iowa and Oklahoma Announce Updated EHV-1 Policies

From Prairie Meadows and Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission news releases
Posted: 6/21/16

Racetracks in Iowa and Oklahoma have announced updated EHV-1 policies in response to a recent positive at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico. Following is the information regarding both states:

Oklahoma:

Due to serious concerns based on a recent confirmation of the neurologic strain of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico, the following policy has been adopted jointly by Will Rogers Downs, Fair Meadows at Tulsa, Blue Ribbon Downs, the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association. This policy has been developed in collaboration with the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission in order to safeguard the welfare of horses participating at Oklahoma racetracks.

ATTENTION HORSEMEN:
Until further notice, no horses will be admitted into the enclosure of an Oklahoma Licensed Racetrack if they are coming from Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico, or if they are coming from a county adjacent to a county where quarantine has been implemented. The following criteria is required to enter and operate within the enclosure:

a.  A current health certificate issued within 30 days prior to arrival at the track which shows the vaccination record for each horse. The horse must have been vaccinated with an FDA approved modified live or killed virus vaccine for EHV-1 not less than 14 days and not more than 90 days prior to date of entry. The veterinarian must provide the date of vaccination, the brand, serial number, and the expiration date of vaccine.

b.  Horsemen must keep every horse admitted to or in the enclosure on a current 90 day FDA approved EHV-1 vaccine or EHV-1 booster schedule until further notice. Evidence of a booster vaccine will be required prior to any horse reaching that 90 day deadline.

Any individual that is found to be responsible for a horse entering the enclosure of a racetrack that does not conform to these conditions will be ejected from the grounds and will not be allowed to participate in the race meeting.

All trainers and horse haulers are urged to take extreme caution when transporting horses by properly disinfecting and sanitizing their trailers if there is any chance they may have transported an exposed horse.

Amanda Blair, Chief Operating Officer of Fair Meadows Racetrack, emphasized the importance for all involved in horse racing in Oklahoma, to adhere to this adopted health and safety policy.

“The welfare and safety of the equine population is top priority at Fair Meadows, Will Rogers Downs, and all Oklahoma racetracks. We will always do everything possible to protect the health of the horses at our facilities. After working with all track management in Oklahoma, the OQHRA, the TRAO, and the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, we believe this plan is the best preventative measure to prevent the spread of the EHV-1 Virus,” stated Amanda Blair.

Remington Park in Oklahoma is not currently open for racing or training at this time.  This policy is subject to being revised as needed to secure a safe equine environment.

For additional information, please contact:
Fair Meadows Racing Office:  (918) 744-6999 | Will Rogers Downs Racing Office:  (918) 283-8813

Iowa:

Because of serious concerns regarding the recent positive confirmation of the neurologic strain of Equine Herpesvirus at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico, Prairie Meadows Racetrack in Altoona, IA has changed its EHV-1 policy effective immediately.

Until further notice, no horses will be allowed to enter the stable area of Prairie Meadows Racetrack if they are coming from Ruidoso Downs.

Dr. John Sweeney, State Veterinarian for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, commented, “Based on the positive confirmation of a case of the neurologic strain of Equine Herpesvirus at Ruidoso Downs, we are taking further steps to protect the equine population at Prairie Meadows.”

The change in policy was the result of discussions over the Ruidoso Downs situation between the racing management of Prairie Meadows, the State Veterinarian, and Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent And Protective Association executive director Jon Moss.

All horsemen are advised of the existing policies currently in place for every horse shipping into the stable area at Prairie Meadows:

1.       The following documentation must be provided for every horse (including pony horses) at the stable gate before they will be permitted to enter the barn area of Prairie Meadows Racetrack.

a.       A current health certificate issued within 72 hours prior to arrival at the track which shows the vaccination record for each horse. The horse must have been vaccinated with an FDA approved modified live or killed virus vaccine for EHV-1 not less than 10 days and not more than 60 days prior to date of entry. The veterinarian must provide the date of vaccination, the brand, serial number, and the expiration date of vaccine.

b.      The health certificate must also contain a statement by the issuing veterinarian that he/she has physically examined each horse within 72 hours of issuing the health certificate, and

i.                     the horse does not exhibit any clinical signs of the virus;

ii.                   the temperature of the horse was normal at the time of the examination

2. It is recommended that horsemen keep every horse admitted to or in the barn area of Prairie Meadows Racetrack on a current 90 day FDA approved EHV-1 vaccine or EHV-1 booster schedule.

All horse haulers are strongly urged to take extreme caution when transporting horses to properly disinfect and sanitize their trailers.  All trainers on the grounds are urged to follow recommended bio-security procedures in their barns. Compliance with these policies will be paramount in helping to protect the health and welfare of the equine population stabled at Prairie Meadows.