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More than 20 veterinary doctors attended a highly
interactive seminar organized by the veterinary department
of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation to augur
the new endurance season which will kick start in
the country from November 4 onwards. The seminar was
held during the weekend at the Millennium Hotel, Abu
Dhabi.
Dr. James Bryant, Head of the Veterinary
Department at the UAE Federation, coordinated the
proceedings. A wide-ranging topics came under discussions
which included FEI passports, update on equine Influenza,
veterinary regulation modifications, FEI anti-doping
and medication rules, equine prohibited list, introduction
of microchip, endurance at championship level and
problems encountered in the previous endurance season.
At the outset, Dr. C.V. Niranjan,
veterinarian at the Federation, began the seminar
with an introduction to the new FEI rules for the
issuance of passport for horses. He said the FEI has
started issuing passports online from the beginning
of this year, hence it is very important that the
veterinarians understand and follow the FEI rules
clearly. He requested that all details in the application
forms should be entered properly in order to facilitate
the issuance of passports not only easier but also
quicker.
While giving details of the FEI rule
change for equine influenza vaccination, Dr. Niranjan
said since Equine Influenza is highly contagious to
susceptible horses, the FEI Veterinary Committee is
annually reviewing the requirements for the vaccination
which could be altered if the vaccination or the disease
situation changes. According to the amended FEI rules,
all horses taking part in the FEI competitions must
have received two injections for primary vaccination
against equine influenza, given between 21 and 92
days apart. Thereafter booster vaccinations must have
been given within every six months + 21 days (bi-annual
vaccinations). No vaccinations must have been given
within seven days of the competition.
Giving details about the introduction
of microchips, Dr. Niranjan said the UAE Federation
is planning to set up a data base, procure microchips
and distribute them to the stables. This matter will
be studied during this season, he said.
Dr. James Bryant, while taking up
the issue of Anti-doping regretted that more and more
positive cases were being disclosed during FEI events
around the world, 'which is not good for the image
of equestrian sport.' He said doping or attempting
to influence the performance of the horses during
endurance or a show jumping event is highly unacceptable.
The FEI has issued guidelines for treating and team
veterinarians "with the objectives to protect the
welfare of the horse, defend the integrity of the
sport and to reassure the public."
While stating that there has been
an increase in sanctions on individuals for violating
anti-doping rules, Dr. Bryant stated that for the
first violation, the penalty is up to two years' ineligibility/ban
from participating in any rides. For the second violation,
be it anti-doping rule or medication control violation
within five years of notice of the first violation,
up to a four-year ban from competitions may be imposed.
Keeping the heavy sanctions in mind, Dr. Bryant stated
that "as veterinarians we need to look carefully when
we are asked to do certain things."
Many of the participants felt that
there was a need for a media campaign as far as the
endurance sport was concerned. They felt the sport
was not getting the proper exposure it deserved as
many people tended to get confused between various
equestrian games in general and endurance sport in
particular. They felt the general public should be
educated about the endurance sport which has specific
guidelines, rules and regulations, and most of all,
a really challenging event.
In addition, the participants also
discussed some case histories relating to the previous
endurance season, problems faced by the veterinarians
during the past season and how they could be overcome
and endurance at championship level.
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