General Welfare Rules

General Welfare Rules:

Rule 213 Cruelty

A person shall not:-

(a) by use of harness, gear, equipment, device, substance or any other thing inflict suffering on a horse;

(b) have in his possession any harness, gear, equipment, device, substance or any other thing capable of inflicting suffering on a horse.

Rule 213A Electronic Devices

A person other than a registered veterinarian, shall not use or have in his possession or control any electric or electronic apparatus or device capable of administering an electric shock to a horse. 

Rule 218 Responsibilities for Care of a Horse

A person having responsibility for the welfare of a horse shall not fail to care for it properly.

Rule 219 Consistency of Running

A person shall not do or fail to do anything which results in the inconsistent running of a horse.

Rule 238 Orders and related matters

A person shall not fail to comply with any order, direction or requirement of the Controlling Body or the Stewards relating to harness racing or to the harness racing industry.  

Rule 239 Restricted acts

A person shall not do anything which can only be done at the order, direction or requirement of the Controlling Body or the Stewards in the absence of or contrary to, such order, direction or requirement.

Rule 239A

A person whose conduct or negligence has led or could lead to a breach of the rules is guilty of an offence.

Performance, Fitness to Race and Physical Disabilities

 Rule 89 Conditions affecting racing performance

(1) After the running of any race and for a period of 7 days thereafter if the owner, trainer, driver, stablehand or any person in charge of a horse is aware of or has knowledge of anything which may have affected the horse’s performance in that race, he or she shall report it immediately to the stewards.

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Principles for Emergency Euthanasia of Horses on a Racecourse - draft

Principles for Emergency Euthanasia of Horses on a Racecourse - draft

Catastrophic injuries or accidents occasionally occur which necessitate the euthanasia of a horse on the racecourse during racing or training. A horse should not have to endure chronic pain and suffering, or be subjected to continuous analgesia, or a life of individual confinement when the prospects for recovery and a future good quality of life are limited.

Decisions to euthanise are often complex and highly distressing requiring the balancing of economic, health, safety and welfare factors with the likelihood of recovery and future quality of life.

Given the emotive and often misunderstood aspects of euthanasia, it is imperative that all racing authorities have policies and procedures which at a minimum reflect the following:

1. Unless the nature of the injury and/or condition of the horse reasonably necessitates more urgent and immediate action, injured horses should be humanely and expeditiously transported from the race track to a secluded area for thorough clinical assessment.
2. The racing authority should ensure that there are clear lines of responsibility allowing the Veterinarian appointed by the Club or Control Body present at the incident to make any necessary decision for immediate euthanasia. Whenever practicable, clinical assessment and planning of future actions should occur in collaboration with the owner and the attending veterinarian(s) observing appropriate confidentialities and ensuring recordkeeping.
3. Euthanasia should be carried out using appropriate chemical methods and administered by trained and competent personnel.
4. Euthanasia should be shielded from the view of the public and performed in an area of seclusion as is reasonably possible or using temporarily erected screening.
5. Euthanasia should produce immediate relief from pain and suffering, and performed in such a manner to eliminate and/or minimise any indignities possibly arising from the process itself and/or the removal of the euthanised horse to other locations.

To effect these general principles into policies and procedures, all racing authorities should ensure an adequate complement of trained, rehearsed and licensed or approved personnel are available at all times when horses are present on raceday. 

There should be clear lines of command and control for any incident and procedures in place for any communication with the public or media.

Stewards Powers

Rule 15 Stewards

(1) Stewards are empowered -

(a) to direct and control at any meeting or race the activities of officials, owners, qualifying/requalifying  supervisors, trainers, drivers, bookmakers, clerks, persons attending horses and anyone else appointed, employed or engaged in or about the meeting or race;

(b) to entertain and determine all matters under question or in dispute at or arising out of a meeting or race, or concerning the meaning or application of these rules, or concerning any aspect of the harness racing industry;

(c) at any meeting or race to appoint or remove any person from or to any office, position, responsibility or task;

(d) to exclude or direct the removal of a person from a racecourse;

(e) to suspend or disqualify any person from participating in or being employed or engaged in or about the harness racing industry;

(k) to inspect, examine or test in such manner as they consider appropriate any person, horse, racetrack, stable, stud, artificial breeding station or other place, item, document, equipment, vehicle or substance;

(l) to provide reports and recommendations about or arising out of any inquiry, investigation or determination or upon any subject connected with the harness racing industry to the Controlling Body;

(m) to impose fines;

(n) to impose any other penalties provided for in these rules;

(p) to confiscate or take possession of any substance or equipment or item or document permanently or for a period;

(x) to take possession of a horse, alive or dead;

(y) to order the removal or destruction of a horse;

(z) to authorise or direct an autopsy of a horse;

(aa) to bar a horse from racing;

(ae) to do anything else reasonably necessary to the performance of their duties; and

(af)  to direct a driver to drive in a designated number of trials and to their satisfaction prior to driving in a race other than an official trial.