§ 407.1. Assessment of racing soundness and condition.
(a) Every horse entered to participate in an official race shall be subjected to a veterinary inspection prior to starting in the race for which it is entered. The inspection shall be conducted by the Commission Veterinarian or the Commission Veterinarian’s designee at a location determined by the Commission or the Commission Veterinarian.
(b) The trainer of each horse or a representative of the trainer must present the horse for inspection as required by the examining veterinarian. Horses presented for examination must have bandages removed and the legs must be clean. Prior to examination horses shall not be placed in ice nor shall any device or substance be applied to the horse which may impede veterinary clinical assessment.
(c) The assessment of a horse’s racing condition shall include:
(1) Proper identification of each horse inspected;
(2) Observation of each horse in motion;
(3) Manual palpation and passive flexion of both forelimbs;
(4) Visual inspection of the entire horse and assessment of overall condition;
(5) Clinical observation in the paddock and saddling area, during the parade to post and at the starting gate, during the running of the race, and following the race until the horse has exited the race track; and
(6) Any other inspection deemed necessary by the Commission veterinarian and the Commission Veterinarian designee.
(d) The Commission Veterinarian and the Commission Veterinarian designee shall maintain a permanent continuing health and racing soundness record of each horse inspected. This record shall be provided to the Commission upon request. If the record contains confidential or personal identification information, that information may be redacted prior to public review.
(e) The Commission or the Commission Veterinarian designee shall be are authorized access to any and all horses housed or present at the licensed racetrack facility and grounds regardless of the horse’s entry status.
(f) If, prior to starting, a horse is determined to be unfit for competition, or if the Commission Veterinarian is unable to make a determination of racing soundness, the Commission Veterinarian will recommend to the Stewards the horse be scratched. Horses scratched upon the recommendation of the Commission Veterinarian shall be placed on the Veterinarian’s List.
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