EQUINE NEWS

Story by: Jackie Bellamy

Equine Guelph, in partnership with the Ontario horse racing industry, is launching a targeted, racing-specific biosecurity training program for all levels of the racing industry -from key stakeholders all the way down to grassroots. Training sessions, tools, resources and videos will be made available this spring and summer to all three horse racing disciplines – Standardbred/Thoroughbred/Quarter Horse – to help protect the industry from the threat of infectious disease.

In the first stage, Equine Guelph has tailored its successful two-week online biosecurity course to cover racing specific topics and delivered this information to Ontario Racing Commission officials (ORC) in a half day workshop and subsequent online course. In the second stage, a ‘Virtual Video Tour’ featuring biosecurity expert Dr. Scott Weese will be developed. This video will offer assessments and practical solutions for racetrack paddocks and large training centre barns. In stage three, racehorse owners, trainers and grooms will receive material distributed by the ORC and racetrack officials. Videos and printed resources will reach all ten Ontario race tracks, paddocks and offices as well as approximately twenty major training centres.

Stay tuned to EquineGuelph.ca for more details.

Visit Equine Guelph's Biosecurity Risk Calculator - sponsored by Vétoquinol.

In partnership with:

the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Equine Guelph is developing a 'Full-Circle-Responsibility' equine welfare educational initiative which stands to benefit horses in both the racing and non-racing sectors. This project is funded in part through Growing Forward 2 (GF2), a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Agricultural Adaptation Council assists in the delivery of GF2 in Ontario.

Other partners include:

Central Ontario Standardbred Association, Equine Canada, Grand River Agricultural Society, Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Ontario Harness Horse Association, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ontario Racing Commission, Ontario Veterinary College, Quarter Horse Racing Association, Standardbred Canada and Vétoquinol Canada Inc.