The Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments Healthy Horses Only Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the health and welfare of all horses residing at or participating in competitions at Wesley Clover Parks, promoting a safe and fair environment for both equine and human participants.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all horses entering the competition venue, including those participating in events, training sessions, and entering the main barn area (Ian Millar School of Horsemanship).

3. Health Requirements

A. Febrile Horse Parameters

    • All competition horses must have their temperature checked an hour after exercise or transport (following arrival at the venue).

    • Twice daily temperature logging is mandatory.

    • All horses presenting with a resting body temperature of 38.6˚C (or higher) or 38.2 ˚C (or higher) if the horse is on an NSAID, or other temperature suppressing drug; will be considered febrile and must be reported to the Biosecurity Officer or to management. Febrile horses are subject to evaluation by the competition veterinarian or farm veterinarian and may be isolated for further diagnostics. All veterinarian costs will be the responsibility of the owner.

    • Any horse exhibiting additional signs of illness, including but not limited to coughing, nasal discharge, lethargy, or loss of appetite, must also be reported to the Biosecurity Officer or management for further evaluation.

    • Every participant agrees to possible isolation if Competition Veterinarian, Biosecurity Officer or management determines its necessary; or alternatively, agrees to ship the horse home.

B. Vaccination Protocols

  • All horses must be up-to-date on the following vaccinations, with documentation provided upon request prior to entry:

    • Equine Influenza

    • EHV1 & EHV4

    • Proof of vaccinations as per EC rule article A519 must be submitted with the entry form and must include the date of administration, the type of vaccine, and the veterinarian’s signature.

    • Article A519 All horses attending Equestrian Canada sanctioned competitions must have been administered Equine Influenza and Equine Herpes Virus (1&4) vaccinations within 6 months (+21 days grace period) before arrival at the event. No horse shall receive vaccination within 7 days prior to arrival at the event. Horses not in compliance with this rule may be asked to leave the event site at the discretion of Competition Management. The frequency of vaccine administration should be as recommended by the vaccine manufacturer or veterinarian. It is recommended that vaccines be administered by or under the direction of a veterinarian. Competition management may request supporting documentation confirming a horse’s compliance with mandatory vaccination requirements.

    • In the case of a horse that is unable to receive either of the vaccines, a letter from a veterinarian on official letterhead must be provided with the entry form, stating the horse cannot be vaccinated due to medical concerns. At the discretion of competition management, a log of the horse’s temperature prior to arrival at the event site or during the event can be requested.

    • Horses not in compliance with this rule will not be permitted arrival nor to compete.

    • Proof of negative EIA within 12 months is also required to compete.

C. Horse Exposure History

    • Owners and trainers must disclose any recent exposure to horses that have shown signs of illness or have tested positive for contagious diseases within the past 30 days. Further documentation regarding veterinarian consultation or treatment will be requested.

    • Horses that have been in close contact with known sick horses or have been at a facility with an outbreak will not be permitted to attend.

    • Competition horses arriving from locations with recent outbreaks of contagious diseases must undergo a quarantine period of 21 days at home or off property before being allowed to participate in competitions or any other on-site activities.

    • All horses arriving to reside will undergo a quarantine period of 21 days before being permitted to enter the general equine population in either the main boarder barn or Ian Millar School of Horsemanship.

4. On-Site Health Checks

A. Arrival Health Inspection

  • Upon arrival, all horses who present as febrile after one hour of rest, will undergo a health inspection by designated veterinary personnel to assess overall health and fitness to compete. All costs will be the responsibility of the owner.

  • Additional signs of illness, including but not limited to coughing, nasal discharge, lethargy, or loss of appetite, must also be reported to the organizer for further evaluation.

B. Random Health Checks

  • Random checks will be conducted during the competition to monitor ongoing health and welfare.

  • Temperature logs will be requested and must be available for review.

5. Reporting Requirements

A. Illness Reporting

  • All participants must report any incidents of illness to competition officials immediately.

  • Failure to report will result in a fine and may result in exclusion from any future Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments.

6. Education and Awareness

A. Competitor Education

  • Signage and regular announcements will be on site to educate participants on best practices for horse health management.

7. Penalties for Non-Compliance

A. Disqualification

  • Any horse that does not meet the health requirements outlined in this policy will be disqualified from the competition.

B. Fines and Suspension

  • Competitors found in violation of this policy will face fines, suspension from current or future events, and/or permanent bans.

8. Policy Review

A. Annual Review

  • This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary to reflect current veterinary recommendations, emerging health concerns, and feedback from participants.

9. Acknowledgement

A. Participant Agreement

  • All participants must sign an acknowledgment form or the acknowledgement on the entry form indicating that they have read, understood, and agree to comply with the "Healthy Horses Only" policy.

Conclusion

By implementing this "Healthy Horses Only" policy, Wesley Clover Parks aims to create a safe and healthy environment for all equine participants, ensuring the integrity of our competitions and the well-being of our horses. Compliance with this policy is essential for the safety of all involved.