Updated: April 2022
Issued: January 2013
The welfare and safety of the racehorse is the major priority of the Official Raceday Veterinarian (ORV) on course at any Victorian race meeting, official trial or jump out event.
When providing first aid, the ORV may administer medication to treat an injury or other medical condition.
An ORV is required, by law to establish a therapeutic need for the administration of any medication. That means the ORV must examine the horse, diagnose an injury or condition and decide (where appropriate) on any necessary treatment.
Whilst welfare is a priority, a request for treatment from a stable representative may be refused if there is no evidence of an injury or condition requiring treatment.
By way of example, a stable representative’s request to an ORV to administer phenylbutazone post-race may be refused if there is no evidence of lameness or a musculoskeletal condition. The administration of post-race analgesics interferes with the ability of stable personnel and the stable’s Permitted Veterinarian to assess the recovery of their horse post-race.
If a racehorse is administered a medication on raceday by an ORV, the ORV will supply the stable representative with a copy of a Veterinary Referral Exam and Treatment Report Form.
This form documents the findings of the ORV’s examination and the medication administered. This information should be recorded in the horses’ stable Treatment Log (AR 104) and all relevant personnel should be informed.
It is the Trainer’s responsibility, in consultation with their stable Permitted Veterinarian, to determine a safe withdrawal time prior to entering in a race, an official trial, or jump out (for the purpose of obtaining approval to race).