HISA Trainer Handbook outlines rules and responsibilities going into effect on July 1

Columbus, OH – As the Thoroughbred industry has faced the implementation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act on July 1, there has been significant lack of communication from the HISA Authority causing a myriad of problems and much confusion among their horsemen.

Although harness racing is not mentioned specifically in HISA, it is likely that many states will include harness racing under the umbrella of the law due to financial necessity.  The USTA, along with many other racing industry groups from all breeds, views HISA as an existential threat to the racing and breeding industries.

The HISA Trainer Handbook outlines all of the new responsibilities that every trainer faces under the new rules of HISA.

“We have observed the considerable problems that the Thoroughbred horsemen have had in preparation of the HISA rules going into effect as well as the call by many in their industry to delay implementation of the law from the July 1 effective date,” said USTA Executive Vice President and CEO Mike Tanner.  “The USTA is committed to communicating often and effectively with our horsemen so that they can be as prepared as possible in the event that they have to abide by the new rules sometime in the future.

“In addition to sharing this HISA Trainer Handbook, we will be scheduling meetings with horsemen’s groups to share our concerns and answer any questions they many have,” added Tanner.

Among the topics and rules included in the HISA Trainer Handbook are:

– Trainer, horse, and employee registration
– Trainer responsibility for maintaining medical, therapeutic, and surgical treatments and procedures.
– New claiming rules and transfer of records for claimed horses
– Veterinary-Client-Patient relationship
– New vaccination requirements
– Rules concerning pin firing, freeze firing and blistering
– Shockwave Therapy restrictions
– Veterinarian’s List rules
– New horseshoe requirements
– Required Continuing Education for trainers and assistant trainers

To obtain a copy of the HISA Trainer Handbook, click here.

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