Code of practice for the welfare of horses competing at bush race meetings

• members of the police force
• authorized persons from the RSPCA, the Public Service and from individual municipalities.

• “Bush race meeting” means a meeting on a day or on consecutive days at which a mountain race or a flat race is conducted, but does not include a race meeting held under the Rules of Racing of the Victoria Racing Club or the Rules of Harness Racing of the Harness Racing Board;
• “Flat race” means a horse race at a bush race meeting conducted at high speed on a course over relatively flat terrain which is free of obstacles or hazards;
• “Meeting” means a bush race meeting;
• “Mountain race” means a horse race at a bush race meeting conducted at high speed on a course over variable terrain which may include obstacles and hazards such as trees and water;
• “Organisers” means the club or organisation which is responsible for the conduct of a bush race meeting;
• “Race” means a heat, trial or final of a flat race or a mountain race;
• “Veterinary practitioner” means a veterinary practitioner registered under the Veterinary Practice Act 1997.

• This Code applies to bush race meetings held in Victoria.
• This Code does not apply to any race meeting held under the Rules of Racing of the Victoria Racing Club or the Rules of Harness Racing of the Harness Racing Board.
• Unless otherwise stated, the organisers are responsible for ensuring compliance with this Code.

• A Veterinary practitioner must be in attendance at a bush race meeting at all times. At large meetings it may be necessary to engage more than one veterinary practitioner, taking into account the nature of the course, the length of the race and the anticipated number and experience of competitors. (Where more than one veterinary practitioner is in attendance a decision is to be made on who will complete the required veterinary report and who will investigate serious incidents.)
• There must be a pre-race veterinary inspection of the horses to determine their fitness to start before each race.
• The veterinary inspection must be carried out in accordance with the “Guidelines for Veterinary Inspection of Horses Competing at Bush Race Meetings”.
• The veterinary practitioner in attendance at the meeting has the power to order the withdrawal of lame, unfit, fatigued or injured horses at any time before or during the meeting.
• Within 7 days of each meeting the veterinary practitioner or nominated veterinary practitioner (when more than one is in attendance) must complete the attached veterinary report and forward a copy to the Bureau of Animal Welfare, Department of Primary Industries, 475/485 Mickleham Road, Attwood, Vic 3049.

• Horses under 4 years of age must not be permitted to compete in mountain races and horses under 3 years of age must not be permitted to compete in flat races.
• Organisers must take effective measures to ensure that the same horse is presented for the pre-race veterinary inspection and for the relevant race.
• Lame, unfit, injured or otherwise unsuitable horses must not be permitted to start in a race.
• Any horse that is withdrawn or eliminated from a race on veterinary grounds must not be permitted to start in another race at the same meeting without passing a full veterinary inspection.
• Organisers must take effective measures to ensure that horses are presented drug-free at meetings.

• The design of the course for the meeting may test the skill of the horse and rider but must not place unreasonable demands on the horses.
• The course must be inspected by the organisers at least 30 days prior to the meeting to allow any necessary alterations to the course - site and design.
• Within 24 hours of the meeting, the organisers must inspect the course and modify the course if any part of it is considered dangerous to the horses.
• The organisers have the final responsibility for the course site and design. Organisers must take into account the advice of the attending veterinary practitioner in the event that adverse conditions such as heat and humidity or heavy going place unreasonable demands on competing horses.
• Organisers must ensure that all riders walk or ride over the course on which they will compete prior to the race.

• Any rider who appears to the organisers to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol must not be permitted to take part in a race.
• Injured riders must have a medical examination before riding in further races during a meeting.
• Organisers must take effective measures to prevent riders riding dangerously, disregarding horse welfare during meetings, riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol or misrepresenting the identity of a horse.
• All riders must wear appropriate riding boots with heels.

• The organisers must ensure that a gear inspection of all competing horses and riders takes place before each race.
• All horses must be shod with correctly fitting shoes. Toe grabs are not permitted.
• All bandages must be stitched. Velcro fastened boots must be taped.
• Organisers must prohibit a rider from using a bit which is deemed to be detrimental to the welfare of a horse.
• Only spurs of a “dummy” kind (ie. without rowels) may be used. All spurs must be taped.
• Riders in mountain races must not be permitted to carry hand held whips.
• Organisers must take effective measures to prevent riders in flat races from using hand-held whips of a type or in a manner which is detrimental to the welfare of a horse.
• Standing martingales are not to be used. Running martingales, if used, should be properly fitted and should not unduly restrict head movement.

• The organisers must ensure that equipment is available to enable transport of injured horses from the course to a place of treatment and to allow prompt humane destruction of injured horses if necessary.
• Organisers must, within 24 hours of a race meeting conduct a thorough investigation including a report from the attending veterinary practitioner as to the cause of injury or death, and the action taken to prevent a repetition of the incident. The report of such an investigation is to accompany the veterinary report, required under Clause 5.5 of this Code and be sent to the Bureau of Animal Welfare, Department of Primary Industries, 475/485 Mickleham Road, Attwood, Vic 3049.