POLICY NO.RLP008
PURPOSE
- Assign responsibility in evaluating inclement weather events.
- Assign responsibility in determining postponement and cancellations of racing and training.
- Clarify the responsibilities and expectations of the stakeholders in an inclement weather event.
- Designate an official responsible for enforcing any weather-associated training delay.
SCOPE
This Policy applies to all Horse Racing Alberta licensees, Industry Stakeholders (Racetrack Superintendent), Director, Regulatory and Supervisor of Racing, Assistant Director, Regulatory & Supervisor of Security & Investigations, Board of Stewards/Judges, Official Veterinarian(s), Practicing Veterinarian(s).
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1) Responsibility for evaluating inclement weather events:
It shall be the responsibility of the Track Superintendent on any race or training days to:
- Obtain and monitor the forecast conditions for the day;
- Initiate the Hazardous Weather Protocol Policy when necessary, and ensure the provisions are appropriately observed, where applicable;
- Communicate with racetrack personnel regarding requirements;
- During the day monitor the weather provided by commercial weather service (e.g. The Weather Network);
- Throughout the day communicate and take advice from the Official Veterinarian regarding current conditions and the condition of any horse;
- Consider whether modifying the racing program may provide improved conditions.
Modification to the race day program may include advancement or delay in the races if it appears possible the extreme conditions might ease or can be avoided.
Summary Table of responsibilities and responsible person and contact information:
| Activity - Monitor Daily Forecasts | Name | Contact Info: |
|---|---|---|
| Initiate a Hazardous Weather Event | ||
| Monitor commercial weather service (same day) | ||
| Communicate and take advice from Official Veterinarians on the conditions of any horse | ||
| The decision to postpone or cancel racing due to extreme conditions |
POSTPONEMENT AND CANCELLATION
In the event of a forecasted extreme weather condition as defined below the decision to cancel racing shall be made by Official Veterinarian in cooperation with the Racing Manager and confirmed by Horse Racing Alberta by applying the Hazardous Weather Protocol Policy. When possible, race day cancellations will be made 5 hours in advance to the first post time scheduled to minimize disruptions and inconveniences.
Notification of cancellation shall be communicated to the following:
- Jockey's Guild Representative
- Judges
- Stewards
- Horsemen's organization representative (HBPA, ASHA, ACTRA, AQHRA)
- Horse Racing Alberta Executive Staff
INCLEMENT WEATHER EVENTS
Severe or harsh weather environmental conditions that may include, without limitation:
- High Temperatures or Heat Stress Index
- Low Temperatures or Wind Chill
- High Winds
- Lightning
- Precipitation
- Air Quality
- Fog/Visibility
HIGH OR LOW TEMPERATURES
| Tier 1 | Tier 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Forecasted Temperature Range | 30°C to 37.9°C or 86°F to 100.2°F | Equal to or greater than 38°C or 100.4°F |
| -15°C to -24.9°C or 5°F to 12.8°F | Equal to or lesser than -25°C or 13°F | |
| Weather-related scratches permitted without penalty | Yes | Yes |
| Additional Measures | Additional measures must be put in place to ensure the well-being of the horse and any licensees with positions that may be impacted by extreme temperature. | The following additional measures must be put in place to ensure the well-being of the horse and any licensees with positions that may be impacted by extreme temperature: Heat: 1 additional vet and 1 registered vet tech to monitor temperature, pulse and respiration rate of equine athletes' pre-race and post-race; extra hosing stations or mobile cooling stations; access to water for horses at all times; shaded areas provided for unsaddling horses; ice buckets available in numerous locations; Racing Officials to minimize post parade time. Cold: 1 additional vet and 1 additional registered vet technician to monitor temoerature, pulse, and respiration of equine athletes pre-race and post-race, as well as conditions related to cold weather including frostbite; tongues not tied outside of horse's mouth; blankets shall be provided for each horse; Racing Officials to minimize post parade time. |
| Cancellation Required | Yes, unless additional measures are put into place. | Yes, unless additional measures (above) are put into place. |
HIGH WINDS
The racetrack may install an anemometer near the racing surface at the approximate height of the rider or driver.
Wind speed threshold: Sustained 61 kilometre/38 miles per hour and/or gusts over 80 kilometre/50 miles per hour -temporarily suspend Racing and Training.
LIGHTNING
Ideally install a real-time lightning detector and warning system that has been independently and objectively verified and/or subscribe to a commercial weather service (e.g. Universal Weather Service) that provides lightning detection services. The detection service includes strike distance and radius notifications in order to provide lightning delay decision-making. The lightning detection information is monitored by the Track Superintendent, her or his staff during training and racing hours. This information must always be made available to racetrack Official Veterinarian, management, and stewards/judges.
Suspension of Racing and Training:
When lightning is detected within an 8-mile/13-kilometre radius of the racetrack the following actions will take place:
- Track Superintendent shall notify racetrack management immediately
- Racetrack management will suspend racing and training
- Racetrack Management will notify the Stewards/Judges
- Alert all participants to seek shelter
Resume Activity:
Racing and training activities may resume 30 minutes after the last lighting strike within an 8 mile/13- kilometre radius of the racetrack as indicated by the lightning detection service.
PRECIPITATION
When precipitation is forecasted the Track Superintendent will analyze the following:
- Total amount of rainfall;
- Duration of rainfall;
- Predicted timing relative to training or racing.
The Track Superintendent will make a determination if the track needs to be sealed and or floated.
Any decision to race on a sealed or floated track will be made based upon a decision by the Track Superintendent with communication with the Regulatory Veterinarian that in his, her, or their professional opinion the resulting track surface is safe for the conduct of races. That decision shall also provide that the conduct of racing will not jeopardize the safe conduct of racing or training on days after the inclement weather event.
When the rain event has ended the Track Superintendent will determine the optimal time to harrow the track using the float rake or conditioning harrows. High-speed workouts may resume only when approved by the Track Superintendent.
No Racing or Training shall be permitted on any surface deemed unsafe by the Track Superintendent, Official Veterinarian, or Board of Stewards/Judges.
AIR QUALITY
Recommendations for Competition
All horsemen should be aware of the signs of respiratory distress and associated risks, especially those with high-risk equines. Horsemen with equines in the high-risk equine population should continually monitor their equines for any signs of respiratory distress.
The U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI) is an index developed by the Environmental Protection Agency to measure air quality. The higher the number (1-500), the higher the level of concern. The projected AQI for a given location can be found at https://www.airnow.gov/. Tracks may also utilize on-site AQI monitors.
| Daily AQI Colour | Level of Concern | Value of Index | Description of Air Quality |
| Green | Good | 0-50 | Air quality is satisfactory and air pollutants pose little or no risk |
| Yellow | Moderate | 51 to 100 | Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution |
| Orange | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | 101 to 150 | Members of sensitvie groups may experience health effects. The General public is less likely to be affected. |
| Red | Unhealthy | 151 to 200 | Some members of the general public may experience health effects, members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. |
| Purple | Very Unhealthy | 201 to 300 | Health Alert. The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. |
| Maroon | Hazardous | 301 and higher | Health warning of emergency conditions. Everyone is more likely to be affected. |
AQl=100-150
Monitor the facility daily if the AQI consistently reaches 100 and there is cause for concern in the local
environment, including the presence of a wildfire in the area.
AQI= 150-174
Closely monitor the facility and may limit training to jogging and/or jogging and gallops only and be
prepared to take further action if conditions worsen.
AQI = 175+
Restrict activity at the track, including but not limited to:
- Canceling live racing (if applicable); the decision to cancel racing shall be made by Official Veterinarian in cooperation with the Racing Manager and confirmed by Horse Racing Alberta by applying the Hazardous Weather Protocol Policy.
- Canceling official workouts; and
- Prohibiting galloping, breezing or anything more strenuous than a jog.
Environment and Climate Change Canada Chart with recommendations for equine exercise and competition.
| Risk | AQHI | Recommendation for Competition |
| Low | 1-3 | No need to change competition format or timing |
| Moderate | 4-6 | Competitors with high-risk equines* should monitor their equines closely and retire from the competition if symptoms of respiratory distress occur. |
| High | 7-10 | Reduce exertional effort or reschedule strenuous activities when the AQHI is lower. |
| Very High | 11+ | Consider cancelling all activities that require any strenuous exertion. |
FOG/VISIBILITY
In the event of impaired visibility, the Board of Stewards/Judges, the Executive Director of the association, and the Driver/Jockey Representative, shall meet to determine if the races should be cancelled or delayed. If any entity in the aforementioned group believes that the visibility is compromised such that racing would be unsafe, then the races shall be cancelled or postponed. If the evidence indicates that visibility will improve, the races may be delayed for a period not to exceed one hour, at which time the group will meet again to decide if the races can safely continue.
PROCEDURE
REFERENCES
- Guidelines for Horses Exposed to Wildfire Smoke - UC Davis Veterinary Medicine
- Reference Guide: What Horse Owners Can Do To Monitor Horses Evacuated from Fire Areas - UC Davis Veterinary Medicine
- How wildfire smoke affects pets and other animals - University of Calgary
- The Effect Of Wildfires On Equine Lungs: What We Know - Paulick Report
- Canadian Researchers Embark On Study Of Air Pollution And EIPH - Paulick Report
EVALUATION
This procedure may be reviewed bi-annually to ensure it remains current.
Approved November 24th, 2023 | Board Motion Number BDM113
Kent Verlik, CEO | Diana McQueen, Chair