HORSE RACING COMMISSION

[Filed January 8, 2021, 2:26 p.m., effective February 8, 2021]

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

Purpose: To prohibit the practice of "icing" a horse's legs prior to a scheduled veterinarian inspection.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 260-70-570 All horses subject to inspection.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 67.16.020.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 20-23-061 on November 16, 2020.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: January 8, 2021.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-07-020, filed 3/9/18, effective 4/9/18)

WAC 260-70-570All horses are subject to inspection.

All horses at locations under the jurisdiction of the commission are subject to inspections at the discretion of the stewards or an official veterinarian.

(1) The trainer of each horse or a representative of the trainer must present the horse for inspection as required by an official veterinarian.

(a) The inspection shall be conducted by an official veterinarian.

(b) The horse shall be in the trainers assigned stable area unless the official veterinarian is notified prior to the time of inspections.

(d) The horse must be free of bandages, or wearing bandages that are easily removed.

(e) The horse must not have been subjected to freezing, icing, or prolonged hosing with cold water, or any other means of reducing the temperature of the legs ((within one hour of the inspection))on the day it is scheduled to be inspected until the inspection has been completed.

(2) The assessment of a horse's racing condition will be based on the recommendations of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and may include:

(a) Proper identification of the horse;

(b) Observation of each horse in motion;

(d) Close observation in the paddock and saddling area, during the parade to post and at the starting gate; and

(e) Any other inspection deemed necessary by an official veterinarian.

(3) An official veterinarian will maintain a continuing health and racing soundness record of each horse inspected.