Section 605.10  State Veterinarian and Veterinarian's List

 

a)         The State Veterinarian shall report to the Stewards all examinations and inspections of any horse or premises under the jurisdiction of the Board. 

 

b)         The State Veterinarian shall establish procedures, relative to this Part, that will govern all practicing veterinarians at the race track.

 

c)         The State Veterinarian shall be consulted about any alleged violations of this Part.  Investigations will be made and reported promptly to the Board.  The Board shall suspend or revoke the license of any person violating this Part.

 

d)         The State Veterinarian shall maintain a veterinarian's list and any horse excused through sickness or disability shall be placed on the list.  Any horse placed on the list shall not be permitted to enter or start in a race until its name is removed from the list.

 

e)         In thoroughbred racing, horses shall remain on the veterinarian's list at least five calendar days, unless, in the opinion of the State Veterinarian its name should be removed earlier.  A workout at a distance specified by the State Veterinarian may be required prior to removing a horse from the list.

 

f)         At the close of each meeting, the State Veterinarians shall make a written report to the Board of the conditions of the meeting and any recommendations they deem advisable.

 

Section 605.20  Report Deceased and Sick Horses

 

a)         The attending veterinarian and the trainer shall report immediately to the State Veterinerian:

 

1)         Castrations, neurectomies, and all major surgical procedures.

 

2)         Contagious and "exotic" appearing diseases.

 

3)         Deceased horses.

 

4)         Sick or disabled horses.

 

b)         No deceased or sick horse may be removed from the grounds of a licensed race track operator without the prior approval of the State Veterinarian's office.

 

Section 605.30  Observe Sanitary, Safety, Humane Rules

 

A trainer shall see to it that the stables and immediate surrounding area assigned to him or her are sanitary at all times and that the humane laws of the State of Illinois are observed, and that the fire prevention rules (especially no-smoking in the stable area) are strictly observed at all times. Constant misuse of property will be considered when stall assignments are made.

 

Section 605.40  Valid Health Certificate

 

A certificate of veterinary inspection and entry permit are not required for Illinois equine.  Illinois equine traveling out of the State, for 30 consecutive days or less, on an Illinois certificate of veterinary inspection are not required to obtain a permit to return home.  If, however, Illinois equine are out of the State longer than 30 days (i.e., boarding, training), a certificate of veterinary inspection issued by the state where the animal has been residing and an entry permit will be required.  Once an animal has been out of the State longer than 30 days, it is no longer recognized as being an Illinois native animal.  All equine entering Illinois for any reason other than slaughter must be accompanied by a negative test for equine infectious anemia (EIA) conducted within a year if the animal is more than one year of age, certificate of veterinary inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days prior to entry, and an entry permit number issued by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.  The organization licensee shall be responsible for compliance with this Section.

 

Section 605.50  Coggins Test

 

Horses racing in Illinois must have a negative ELISA test (Coggins test) for equine infectious anemia (EIA) done at least once every 12 months.  A current negative test certificate from a laboratory, approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, must be on file with the Racing Secretary.  Trainers or owners shall not enter or start a horse unless the horse has a current negative Coggins test certificate on file with the Racing Secretary.  Trainers or owners that do so shall be fined pursuant to the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975.  Horses having a positive Coggins test must be removed from the race track under the direction of the State Veterinarian.

 

Section 605.60  Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1)

 

All horses, including ponies, entering or stabling on the grounds of any pari-mutuel racetrack in Illinois shall have documented proof of EHV-1 vaccination administered within the prior 180 days.  No entries shall be accepted by the Racing Secretary without documented proof of a current EHV-1 vaccination.  The Racing Secretary shall maintain records to substantiate current vaccinations of all horses entering or stabling on the grounds.

 

Section 605.70  Sterile Equipment and Disposable Needles

 

a)         Veterinarians practicing on a race track where a race meet is in progress or imminent shall use one time disposable needles and shall dispose of them in an approved manner.  All types of instruments used on horses, including surgical, tattooing, dental and similar items, must be properly cleaned and sterilized.

 

b)         No person other than a licensed veterinarian may have a needle or syringe of any kind, type or description, or an injectable drug, on his or her person or in his or her custody, or in the control, custody or possession of any of his or her employees.

 

Section 605.80  Bandages

 

The paddock judge or paddock veterinarian shall inspect bandages just prior to the participation in a race of the horse on which they are used.  The judge or veterinarian may order removal and replacement of bandages if they see fit to do so.  Any circumstances in the use of bandages that indicate fraud shall be reported to the Stewards.  In thoroughbred racing, cold water bandages, ice-boots, or bandages of a similar nature must be removed when a horse enters the paddock for a race and may not be used for racing purposes.

 

Section 605.90  Humane Treatment of Horses

 

No licensee or other person under the jurisdiction of the Board shall alone, or in collaboration with another person:

 

a)         subject or permit any animal under his/her control, custody or supervision to be subjected to or to incur any form of cruelty, mistreatment, neglect or abuse;

 

b)         abandon, injure, maim or kill, or administer any noxious substance to, any animal; or

 

c)         deprive any animal of necessary care or sustenance, shelter or veterinary care.

 

(Source:  Amended at 43 Ill. Reg. 8010, effective August 1, 2019)

 

Section 605.100  Pest Control and Clean Equipment

 

a)         The race track operator shall maintain systematic, effective control against flies, mosquitoes, other insects and rats at all times during a meeting.  Horses must be stabled in individual box stalls with appropriate feeding and watering facilities.  Stables and immediate surrounding areas must be disinfected and kept in a sanitary condition at all times.  Satisfactory drainage must be provided and manure and other refuse must be promptly and properly removed.  These regulations apply to any stabling areas that the Board has approved for the race track operator.  The Board or its official representatives will make periodic inspections of a track.  Failure to comply with sanitary practices or to provide any pest control will result in loss of racing dates.

 

b)         The race track operator shall maintain paddocks, starting gates and other equipment subjected to contact by different animals so that they are disinfected, kept in a clean condition, and kept in a safe condition that does not endanger animals.