2007 rci annual conference health & welfare of the equine athletes
TRANSCRIPT
2007 RCI ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Health & Welfare of the Equine Athletes
PANELISTS
Dan Fick on Welfare & Safety Summit
Bill Casner on shoeing & toe grabs
Dr. Mary Scollay on uniform on-track injury reporting
Dr. Mick Peterson on racing surfaces
WELFARE & SAFETY SUMMIT
Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation coordinated at Keeneland Association last October
Investigate declines in career starts and years raced in racehorses over last 50 years
40 racing industry representatives from owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, veterinarians, track management, scientists, sales, bloodstock agents
Statistics from Equibase and Jockey Club Information Systems
100+ research reports and articles on injuries, soundness, track surfaces, breeding and training
1950 - 2005AVERAGE STARTS PER HORSEAVERAGE HORSES PER RACE
AVERAGE STARTS
6.5 AVERAGE
FIELD 8.2
PARTICIPANTS
Bill Casner Jimmy Bell Frank “Scoop”
Vessels John Harris Bayne Welker Ric Waldman Rollin Baugh Seth Hancock Dell Hancock Geoffrey Russell
Paul Bowlinger Doug Bredar Eual Wyatt Georganne Hale Tom Robbins Ed Vomacka Tom Ventura Keith Chamblin Peggy Hendershot Ed Bowen Bob Curran
PARTICIPANTS
Dr. Gary Lavin Dr. Hiram Polk Dr. Larry Bramlage Dr. Mary Scollay Dr. Mick Petersen Dr. Rick Arthur Dr. Scot Waterman Dr. Sue Stover Dr. Ted Hill Dr. Tom Brokken
Dr. Wayne McIlwraith Mitch Taylor Chris McCarron Gary Stevens Mike Smith Richard Mandella John Ward Jesse Wiggington Nick Nicholson Bob Duncan
STRATEGIC PLANNING FORMAT
First Morning – Public Presentations by leading veterinarians, surgeons,
equine scientists and racing surface engineer
Panel discussions with breeders, trainers, jockeys, bloodstock agents and track management
First Afternoon – Private Strategic planning sessions with six working groups
that identified critical issues relating to fewer starts, and developed suggestion action points
Working group spokespersons presented findings for discussion and strategic analysis
PRESENTATIONS
1
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
1
WORKING GROUPS
1
STRATEGIC PLANNING
1
STRATEGIC PLANNING FORMATFirst Evening – Private
Dinner open discussions and prioritization of critical issues
Second Morning – Private
Shuffled working groups according to expertise
Developed recommended action plans, responsible parties, resources and timelines
Second Afternoon – Public
Strategic plan released to the media
RECOMMENDATIONS
Develop statistics on the durability of blood-lines and matings
Distribute scientific research to industry stakeholders
Examine the use or ban of certain horseshoes
Develop a uniform on-track injury reporting system
RECOMMENDATIONS
Require uniform certification and examination for first-time trainers, jockeys, exercise riders, farriers and racing officials
Provide and require continuing education for license renewal of all trainers, jockeys, exercise riders, farriers and racing officials
Develop a standardized method and reporting system for testing all racing surfaces at all tracks
Conduct annual Welfare & Safety Summit
STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEES
Hoof Care & Shoeing – Bill Casner
Durability Index – Ed Bowen
On-Track Injury Reporting – Dr. Mary
Scollay
Racing Conditions – Eual Wyatt
Racing Surfaces – Dr. Wayne McIlwraith
Licensing & Research – Paul Bowlinger