SHOCK WAVE THERAPY TREATMENT POLICY
This policy aims to assist in policing the requirements of the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) which deem that a horse subjected to any form of shock wave therapy shall be ineligible to start in a race for a period of seven (7) days following such treatment.
AHRR 213B states:
213B. A horse that has been subjected to any form of shock wave therapy shall be ineligible to race or take part in any trial in the seven days following such treatment.
This policy requires that all Trainers ensure that any device in their possession which is capable of being used to administer shock wave therapy to a horse under their care has been registered with Harness Racing Victoria for these purposes, unless such device is owned and operated by a registered veterinarian.
Should a trainer utilise the services of a person other than a registered veterinarian for the purposes of administering shock wave therapy to a horse under their care they shall ensure that such person is appropriately registered with Harness Racing Victoria.
Those persons administering shock wave therapy to a horse covered by the AHRR, other than registered veterinarians, are required to be appropriately registered with Harness Racing Victoria for this purpose and must hold as a minimum a stablehand licence with Harness Racing Victoria.
This policy further reminds Trainers of the obligation placed upon them under the AHRR to appropriately record all occasions a horse receives shock wave therapy.
AHRR 190B states:
190B. (1) A trainer shall at all times keep and maintain a log book:-
(a) listing all therapeutic substances in his or her possession;
(b) recording all details of treatment administered to any horse in his or her care and including as a minimum requirement:
(i) the name of the horse
(ii) the date of administration of the treatment
(iii) the name of the treatment (brand name of active constituent)
(iv) the route of administration
(v) the amount given
(vi) the name and signature of the person or persons administering and/or authorising treatment.
(2) For the purposes of this rule treatment includes:
(ix) shockwave therapy
(3) Details of the treatment administered to any horse must be entered into the log book on the day of the administration.
(4) A trainer shall upon request produce such log book or register for inspection by the Stewards.
(5) A trainer shall retain possession of a log book for a period of two years.
(6) A trainer who fails to comply with the provisions of sub-rule (1), (3), (4) or (5) is guilty of an offence.
TRAINER REQUIREMENTS
Effective from 1 February 2017 all trainers must ensure the following:
- Any device in their possession which is capable of being used to administer shock wave therapy to a horse under their care has been appropriately registered with Harness Racing Victoria, unless such device is owned and operated by a registered veterinarian.
- Should a trainer utilise the services of a person other than a registered veterinarian for the purposes of administering shock wave therapy they shall ensure that such person is appropriately registered with Harness Racing Victoria for these purposes.
- All occasions a horse in the trainer’s care receives shock wave therapy such information must be recorded and kept in the trainer’s log book as required by the provisions of AHRR 190B.
SHOCK WAVE THERAPY OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS
Effective from 1 February 2017 all Shock Wave Therapy Operators (other than registered veterinarians) must ensure the following:
- Any device in their possession which is capable of being used to administer shock wave therapy to a horse under their care has been appropriately registered with Harness Racing Victoria.
- That such persons administering shock wave therapy are appropriately registered with Harness Racing Victoria for these purposes and must hold as a minimum a stablehand licence with Harness Racing Victoria.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
All persons seeking to commence the registration process in accordance with this policy must contact the HRV Integrity Department on (03) 8378 0222.
As part of the registration process each device used for shock wave therapy must be physically inspected by the HRV Integrity Department.
NON-COMPLIANCE
Any persons found to have contravened the requirements of this policy may be in breach of AHRR 238 and subject to significant fines, periods of suspension or disqualification.
AHRR 238 states:
238. 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.
