MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CORE GROUP CONSTITUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EQUINE INFLUENZA HELD AT 11.30 A.M. ON SUNDAY, 14TH DECEMBER 2008, IN THE
Present:-
Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla - Chairman, RWITC Ltd
Mr Khushroo N Dhunjibhoy - Committee Member, RWITC Ltd
Mr Geoffrey Nagpal - Representative of WIRHOA Ltd
Mr Shiven Surendranath - Representative of WIRHOA Ltd
Mr N H S Mani - Deputy Secretary, RWITC Ltd
Dr D Swaminathan - Senior Veterinary Officer, RWITC Ltd
Mr P Shroff - Representative of WITA Ltd
Dr Anil Kumar - Representative of WITA Ltd
Dr Hasneyn Mirza - Consultant appointed by WIRHOA Ltd
Having been duly proposed and seconded Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla took the Chair for the meeting.
It was noted that the Committee of the Club at its meeting held on 4th December 2008 decided to induct Dr F F Wadia, President, National Horse Breeding Society of India in the Core Group.
The Deputy Secretary informed the meeting that Diwan Arun Nanda, representative of the WIRHOA Ltd and Dr F F Wadia, President, NHBSI have expressed their inability to attend this meeting and requested for leave of absence from the meeting. They were granted leave of absence from the meeting.
Mr Zavaray S Poonawalla was also granted leave of absence from the meeting.
It was noted that the Committee of the Club at its meeting held on 4th December 2008 has tentatively decided to commence the Mumbai Meeting 2008-09 from 1st February 2009 barring unforeseen circumstances. The Committee has also decided that barring unforeseen circumstances, the Indian 1000
As regards the Annual Sales 2009, it was noted that the Committee of the Club has decided that the same be held in Pune as soon as feasible in March 2009 and the exact dates would depend on the situation prevalent in
It was noted that at the last meeting of the Core Group held in Pune, one of the Members of the Core Group suggested that Fibrinogen test be done for all horses at the Pune Race Course. Dr Swaminathan was asked to find out the feasibility of getting the Fibrinogen Test of all horses done at lab in Pune and the cost thereof. Mr Geoffrey Nagpal had requested Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla, Chairman of the Club that the cost of this test should be borne by the Club and the Chairman had stated that he would take up this matter at the next Committee Meeting. At the last Committee Meeting, Dr Swaminathan informed that only two labs i.e. SRL/Ranbaxy Lab and Lalpath Lab in Pune are doing this test and the cost of each test was Rs.700/-. Since there were about 1200 horses in Pune, the total cost of the test would be in the region of Rs.8,40,000/- for testing all horses in Pune. Dr Swaminathan opined that Fibrinogen estimation was mainly helpful to assess whether the horse is undergoing infective stage or recovery stage in cases of bacterial pneumonia, inflammation, etc. However, the role of fibrinogen estimation to assess the same in viral outbreaks was questionable, as per the literature on the subject, and the opinions of most of the experts. Fibrinogen estimation is an outdated test and it was not possible to do this test in any veterinary clinical pathology laboratory, and doing it in a human lab would result in 12% to 20% error due to non-calibration of the machine for equine standards. In his opinion, WC count and differential count was direct and better indicators to assess the infective stage of the affected horse and these tests are done for all horses before they are allowed to work. In view of the opinion expressed by Dr Swaminathan, it was decided to refer the matter back to the Core Group for their consideration. This was taken note of by the Core Group.
A discussion took place at which time it was noted that a few horses were coughing. It was also noted that some horses were coughing because of the strain due to the trot. Dr Mirza stated that he had seen a couple of horses coughing during the work. He stated that it is to be ascertained as to whether horses were coughing in the stables. Dr Swaminathan stated that one of the horses of Trainer Narendra Lagad coughed when came for work and therefore the horse was taken back and was not permitted to work.
Mr Shiven Surendranath stated that there were people from small racing centers coming to buy horses and because of the present status they have gone back without buying. He further stated that it was given to understand that there were cases of relapses which were brushed under the carpet. The Senior Veterinary Officer stated that he has not come across any such relapse cases and no trainer / Private Practitioners have reported to him about the same. During further discussion it was felt that the trainers should be informed when they meet the Core Group that relapse cases, if any, should be brought to the notice of the Club's Senior Veterinary Officer immediately.
Dr Swaminathan stated that new saddle cloths were issued to all horses except about 50 horses who had shown some problems in the blood picture and on auscultation.
Dr Poonawalla stated that he was informed by the President of the Delhi Race Club that they were planning to resume racing soon and Dr Poonawalla has advised them to resume racing in February 2009 by then the horses would be ready to race.
A discussion took place regarding movement of horses, two year olds coming in, vaccination of two year olds, outside horses such as polo horses, etc. coming in, and conduct of Annual Sales, after which the following decisions were taken:-
(a) The horses would start shifting to Mumbai from 1st January 2009. Only those horses who have worked for a minimum of four weeks would be permitted to shift to Mumbai after clearance from the Senior Veterinary Officer of the Club. A few days here and there could be considered by the Senior Veterinary Officer at his discretion.
(b) By end of January 2009 or by first week of February 2009 all horses will have shifted to Mumbai.
(c) Those horses who have completed three weeks of trotting either in the
(d) Annual Sales can be tentatively fixed in mid-March 2009 (Monday, 16th March 2009).
(e) For a period of atleast three weeks, the stables in Pune should remain empty and the same could be disinfected before the yearlings arrive for the Annual Sales.
(f) All yearlings should be vaccinated for Equine Influenza with two doses before they arrive in Pune for the Annual Sale. A circular be sent to all the breeders in this regard and they should be asked to give a declaration confirming vaccination of two doses for Equine Influenza as per the format of declaration given by the Club. Such declaration will contain elaborate details such as date of vaccination, time of vaccination, name of doctor who had given the vaccination, batch number of the vaccine and so on to ensure that no one could easily submit a false declaration without vaccinating yearlings. In the event of any stud farm being unable to procure the vaccine, the Club could provide the same on payment.
(g) No two year olds would be permitted to come to Mumbai at all this year and all the two year olds would have to stay in Pune. Lunging facilities, etc. would be provided in Pune for the two year olds staying back after the Annual Sale.
(h) No polo horses etc. will be permitted to enter the Race Course and there would be a protocol to be laid down for all these horses to have identification, vaccination, etc. This protocol for identification, vaccination etc. would also be applicable to Amateur Riders' Club horses.
Letter dated 12th December 2008 from the Headquarters Pune Sub Area stating that they have decided that coaching of Army personnel and their dependants in riding be carried out by using facilities at the centre of the Pune Race Course, was read and considered and the Deputy Secretary was asked to reply to them on the lines indicated at the meeting.
Thereafter the trainers were asked to join the meeting, which they did.
The Chairman informed the trainers of the various decisions taken by the Core Group on this day.
The Chairman also enquired from the trainers as to whether there were any cases of relapse to which the trainers replied in the negative.
The trainers requested that they may be permitted to use the grass track to work their horses.
The trainers stated that they may not be able to shift all the horses by first week of February 2009 and that they need the infrastructure for full of February 2009. The Chairman informed them that atleast for three weeks, the stables in Pune should remain empty and the same could be disinfected before the yearlings arrive for the Annual Sales.
The trainers also stated that outside horses should not be permitted to enter the race course in Mumbai and Pune including horses coming for polo, navy horses, etc. They have also concurred with the decision of the Core Group that no two year olds be permitted to come to Mumbai at all this year and all the two year olds would have to stay in Pune. The trainers stated that they have already written a letter to the Club in this regard.
There being no other points, the meeting terminated.
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