With regard to starting work for horses at the Pune Race Course, Mr Daga stated that those horses which have not suffered from Equine Influenza anytime after 21st October 2008 can start trotting for 3 to 5 minutes with immediate effect under the supervision of a Panel of Veterinarians appointed by the Club. Such horses will be checked by the Panel of Veterinarians before they go to trot. After coming back from the trot the Panel of Vets will again check these horses with Stethoscope (not endoscope) especially to ascertain whether the lungs were showing any abnormality. If there is anything wrong with any horse, then such horses would not be permitted to trot. Mr Daga pointed that it may be possible that the stress as a result of trotting may cause some of these horses showing up any latent Equine Influenza or fever. Those horses who have completed four clear weeks of rest after relief of suffering from Equine Influenza can be trotted for 3 to 5 minutes. Thus horses would start work in batches and each batch would be checked for first three days. No horse would be permitted to work without clearance from the Panel of Vets appointed for the purpose. He stated that by 15th December 2008 or so the movement of non-affected/completely recovered horses to Mumbai could commence.
Mr Daga stated that there was misunderstanding amongst some people that there was a ban on training of horses and movement between Pune and Mumbai. He clarified that there was no such ban imposed by the Government on training and movement between Pune and Mumbai. The only ban imposed was to stop interstate movements in order to stop infection being spread from one State to another. Before concluding Mr Daga stated that if any of the trainers are desirous of contacting him any time for any information/guidance in this regard, they may feel free to do so and he would provide them with whatever information he has in this regard.
Mr Nanda raised the need to start working horses who have either not been affected by Equine Influenza (124 horses) or those who have been infection free for over four weeks at the Pune Race Course. One of the trainers mentioned that there appear to be cases of lung abscess and therefore more time be given to the horses before start working. A discussion took place when Dr Swaminathan mentioned that first of all he would recheck with the trainers concerned to ensure that the supposedly immune 124 horses were not affected by even mild Equine Influenza. He stated that all those horses not affected will have to undergo auscultation before trotting and if there was any abnormality found in the lungs they would have to undergo ultrasonography. If there was anything wrong with any horse, then such horse would not be permitted to trot till he showed improvement. Similarly, after coming back from the trot the horses would have to undergo again auscultation and if there was any abnormality found in the lungs, they would have to undergo ultrasonography. If there was anything wrong found with any horse, then such horse would not be permitted to trot.
Responding to the alleged lung abscess, Dr Swaminathan stated that interstitial Pneumonia is the common sequelae of the Equine Influenza. The damage of the alveoli of the lungs (Fluid patches) are often going to be misdiagnosed as lung abscess. Hence Diagnosis of Lung abscess is to be made by coordinating the findings of the Ultrasonography, Blood picture and clinical condition of the horse all taken together since lung abscess is a life threatening condition and prognosis is grave for that horse racing also.
On a suggestion from Trainers, Mr. Nanda agreed that the blood picture of all those 124 horses (non-infected so far) would be taken by the Club before they start working.
Mr. Nanda clarified that the four weeks rest period mandatory before the start of work of any horses was the minimum period recommended and it was left to individual trainers to decide when to start working their horses dependent on the horses' condition, recovery from the illness, etc.
One of the trainers stated that it was the general feeling amongst various trainers that they do not want to start work and they believe that the 4 weeks should be after the last case reported otherwise there may be cases of relapse.
Mr Nanda reiterated that the 4 weeks period was only a guideline and eventually the trainers would have to take a decision whether to start to work and if so when to start work based on the fitness of each horse. However, no horse would be permitted to work before completion of the 4 weeks recovery period. However, all horses could not wait for four weeks till last case improves. Horses which had not been sick or had got over it fast had already started acting up without exercise and one had to be hospitalized with serious injury.
Mr Daga stated that the horses which were already affected would not get Equine Influenza again for the next six months. However, secondary infection of bacteria could occur as immunity had been lowered. Further it would be for each trainer to come forward and ask the Senior Veterinary Officer of the Club for permission to work based on the condition of his horse.
One of the Trainers suggested that the Club should consider including Private Veterinarians also in the Panel. Mr Nanda agreed with the suggestion and stated that the Core Group would use its good offices in getting the Private Veterinarians to assist the Club's vets in checking horses going to and coming back from work.
One of the Trainers asked why no private veterinarian was called for this meeting. Mr Nanda stated that the Core Group had decided to hold this meeting only with the trainers.
The Senior Veterinary Officer stated that he was interacting with the Private Veterinarians on a regular basis on this matter.
Dr Anil Kumar sought to know whether the working of horses suggested was a trial or progressive measure. Mr Nanda replied that it was suggested as a progressive measure.
Mr Daga reiterated that those horses who start trot would be checked before and after for atleast three days and those who show any problem would not be permitted to trot till improvement.
One of the Trainers suggested that the 124 horses which were not affected be shifted to Mumbai immediately. Some of the other trainers did not agree with the suggestion. Mr Daga mentioned that if even one of these horses after coming to Mumbai showed up with latent Equine Influenza or fever, then there would be a big problem. It was best that any stress induced problem be found out at Pune and sooner rather than later so that long term planning can be undertaken.
A discussion took place regarding the start of the Mumbai Racing Season, at which time Mr Nanda stated that the Core Group has nothing to do with the start of racing. The mandate of the Core Group was to take measures to overcome the present situation and ensure the wellbeing of horses. The commencement of Racing Season at Mumbai was a decision to be taken by the RWITC Ltd. Committee.
A discussion took place after which it was decided that all the non-affected horses would go for trot starting from Monday, 24th November 2008 after completion of blood tests by the Club. All the trainers agreed to this date. It was made clear to the trainers that what was mentioned in the advisory note are only guidelines to surmount the problem and the final decision of when to work their horses, was the individual decision of each trainer.
The Trainers suggested that those trainers who shift their horses late to Mumbai may be provided the facilities of tracks, etc. at Pune. Mr. Nanda agreed to ensure this was implemented and that track facilities would be made available at Pune.
One of the trainers stated that the forfeits for Indian Classics were on and since the commencement of the Mumbai Racing Season 2008-09 was deferred, no forfeit be debited until a final decision on the commencement of Mumbai Racing Season 2008-09 was taken. It was decided to refer this matter to the Committee of the Club.
Mr. Nanda informed that new saddle cloths with new numbers in a different colour would be given to all horses as they start working in Pune When the horses shift to Mumbai the old saddle number would come back. This is to ensure that only those horses who are cleared by the panel of Vets are allowed to work.
In summary:-
1. Disinfection of the Pune stables to start from 17th November 2008 until 22nd November 2008, which would continue as per schedule given by the Senior Veterinary Officer.
2. Horses could start trotting from 24th November 2008 after the following:-
(a) Trainers to decide when to start working their horses.
(b) Permission of the panel of Vets is necessary before any horses start work. Horses who have not completed a minimum period of four weeks post infection would not be permitted to work. Non-infected horses to be blood tested before they are allowed to work.
(c) Panel of vets to check each horse going to work before and after trot.
(d) Each horse to be checked for first three days of trotting.
(e) Horses to go to work with new saddle cloth in a different colour with new numbers. When the horses come to Mumbai they can go back to their original saddle numbers.
(f) The Club will disinfect Mumbai stables before arrival of horses from Pune.
(g) Dips will be in place at the Mumbai stable area.
There being no other points the meeting terminated.
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