The Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards remind all licensees that should the on-course veterinarian require a horse undergo veterinary treatment it may be an offence for the trainer and/or the person in charge to refuse such treatment without providing reasonable explanation to the HRV Stewards officiating at the race meeting.
Such refusal may result in charges being issued under the following Australian Harness Racing Rules and significant penalties imposed:
218. A person having responsibility for the welfare of a horse shall not fail to care for it properly.
218A. (1) A person shall not mistreat a horse.
(2) For the purposes of this rule “mistreat” means to abuse or treat a horse badly, cruelly or unfairly.
218B. (1) A person in charge of a horse presented to race which on the racecourse has been found to be suffering a condition or received veterinary treatment shall not be removed from the racecourse without the express permission of the Stewards.
(2) A trainer, or the person in charge, who removes a horse from the racecourse in contravention of sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.