71 IAC 8.5-8-2 Physical inspection of horses

Sec. 2. (a) Every horse entered to participate in an official race shall be subjected to a veterinary inspection prior to starting in the race in which it is entered. (b) The inspection shall be conducted by the official veterinarian or the racing veterinarian. (c) For purposes of carrying out this rule, the agency or the association employing the examining veterinarian(s) shall provide no fewer than two (2) racing veterinarians on association grounds each day that racing is scheduled. (d) Either the trainer of each horse or a representative of the trainer must present the horse for inspection as directed by the racing veterinarian. (e) Horses presented for examination must have: (1) bandages removed; and (2) legs clean. (f) Prior to examination, horses may not: (1) be placed in ice; or (2) have any device or substance applied that impedes veterinary clinical assessment. (g) 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: (A) in the paddock and saddling area; (B) during the post parade; (C) at the starting gate; (D) during the running of the race; and (E) following the race until the horse has exited the race track; (6) any other inspection deemed necessary by the official veterinarian and/or the racing veterinarian. (h) The official veterinarian and/or the racing veterinarian shall maintain all scratch slips and prerace examination records for each horse during the race meet. Upon completion of the meet, scratch slips and examination records will be maintained in accordance with commission record retention policies. (i) The official veterinarian and/or the racing veterinarian are authorized access to any and all horses housed on association grounds, regardless of entry status. (j) If, prior to starting, a horse is determined to be unfit for competition, or if the veterinarian is unable to make a determination of racing soundness, the veterinarian will recommend to the stewards the horse be scratched. (k) Horses scratched upon the recommendation of the official veterinarian and/or the racing veterinarian are to be placed on the veterinarian's list.