Minnesota Administrative Rules

CHAPTER 7891, HORSES; PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

MINNESOTA RACING COMMISSION

7891.0100 RACING SOUNDNESS EXAMINATION.

Subpart 1.

Horses subject to examination.

Every horse entered to race at a licensed racetrack under the jurisdiction of the commission shall be subjected to a veterinary examination for racing soundness and health on race day. The examination shall be conducted by the commission veterinarian in or near the stall to which the horse is assigned. The trainer of each horse or a representative of the trainer must present the horse for examination and move the horse as required by the examining veterinarian. Every horse to be examined must have had its legs cleaned of any poultice or other topical applications, must be free of leg bandages or be wearing bandages which are easily removed, and must not have been subjected within one hour of examination to freezing, icing, prolonged hosing with cold water, or any other means of reducing the temperature of the legs.

Subp. 1a.

Trainer must report location.

The trainer, when entering a horse, shall declare to the racing secretary or his or her designee the number of the barn in which the horse being entered will be stabled the day of the race. If the trainer will need a stall assigned for a ship-in horse, the trainer must so declare at the time of entry, and the racing secretary will assign a stall to be used on the day of the race.

Subp. 1b.

Racing secretary must provide stall assignments.

As soon as the overnight sheet is finalized, the racing secretary or his or her designee shall provide to the commission veterinarian a list showing, by race, the name of the horse, the trainer, and the barn number where the horse is to be stabled the day of the race.

Subp. 1c.

Trainer must post stall.

On each race day, trainers shall post a sign outside the entered horse's stall stating that the horse is "in today." The sign shall be posted by 8:00 a.m. on race day and must be removed after the horse has returned from racing on that day.

Subp. 2.

Record of examination.

The commission veterinarian shall maintain a continuing health and racing soundness record of each horse examined. The record shall not constitute a veterinary medical record for purposes of part 9100.0800.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 240.03; 240.23; 240.24

History:

9 SR 2527; 10 SR 2161; 13 SR 38; 16 SR 2684; 39 SR 1739; 42 SR 1258; 44 SR 1047

Published Electronically:

April 22, 2020

7891.0110 POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION.

Subpart 1.

Horses that must undergo postmortem examination.

Every horse which suffers a breakdown at a licensed racetrack under the jurisdiction of the commission, in training or in competition, and which is euthanized, and every horse which expires while stabled at a licensed racetrack under the jurisdiction of the commission, shall undergo a postmortem examination to be conducted by the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to determine the injury or illness which resulted in euthanasia or natural death. Shoes and mane hairs excepted, the horse must be delivered with all body parts attached and nonmutilated. Accidental dismemberment for any reason shall be immediately reported to the commission veterinarian, executive director, and deputy director. A Class B or D license holder is responsible for furnishing transportation, within six hours of death, to deliver a horse to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Subp. 2.

Test samples to be taken for analysis.

Test samples must be obtained from every horse that dies or is euthanized from a training or race-related injury. The samples shall be sent for analysis to a laboratory approved by the commission and the commission may direct the laboratory to retain and preserve such samples for future analysis.

When practical, both blood and urine test samples shall be obtained prior to euthanasia.

Subp. 3.

Owner and trainer responsible.

The owner and attending trainer are responsible for reporting to the commission veterinarian the death of a horse within one hour of its death, and for having the postmortem examination performed in accordance with this part.

Subp. 4.

Report of exam.

A report of each deceased horse shall be filed with the commission within 72 hours of the horse's death on a form prepared by the commission.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 240.03; 240.13; 240.15; 240.16; 240.19; 240.23; 240.24

History:

9 SR 2527; 16 SR 484; 24 SR 1568; 33 SR 2095; 35 SR 627; 40 SR 1393

Published Electronically:

April 25, 2016

7891.0120 MORTALITY REVIEW COMMITTEE.

Subpart 1.

Committee.

The chief steward or designee shall convene and chair a mortality review committee for the purpose of gathering data surrounding the death of each racehorse occurring during racing or training at a licensed racetrack. The committee shall consist of the following:

A.

the chief steward or a designee;

B.

the commission veterinarian or a designee;

C.

the trainer or assistant trainer of the deceased horse;

D.

the jockey, exercise rider, or driver of the deceased horse;

E.

the attending veterinarian;

F.

the racetrack's director of racing or a designee;

G.

the track superintendent; and

H.

any other person the chief steward or designee determines is necessary to adequately examine the death.

Subp. 2.

Participation.

Participation at a mortality review committee meeting is mandatory unless a member is excused by the chief steward or designee.

Subp. 3.

Treatment records.

Treatment records required of the trainer by part 7877.0170, subpart 2, item U, shall be available to the committee upon request of the chief steward or commission veterinarian.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 240.03; 240.23; 240.24

History:

44 SR 1047

Published Electronically:

April 22, 2020