Preventing shoulder fractures in racehorses was a major highlight of the animal safety task force presentation ahead of the March 17th regular meeting of the California Jockey Commission, held through the association. remote suggestion.
Alan Balch, executive director of California Thoroughbred Trainers and task group leader, notes that shoulder fractures are common because horses with these injuries often exhibit subtle symptoms that are difficult to detect. .
“Most symptoms are particularly difficult to recognize without a clear understanding of when horses are at higher risk of disease,” says Balch. “In general, the factors are layoffs of 90 days or more and it may be too early to return to serious training once they return to the track or ancillary facilities.”
Balch notes that the CHRB continuing education module on shoulder fractures is a good tool to support coaches and others. After discussion, the board decided to place more weight on the module in the continuing education requirement for faculty members to encourage them to view the module.
“All continuing education is important,” says Balch. “But role one is a specific topic, and everyone who’s seen it I’ve talked to believes it’s really good and instructive.”
Balch added that most faculty have taken continuing education requirements seriously, but CTT is working to bring it to 100% compliance.
The CHRB meeting also included approving the distribution of proceeds from charity race days by some racetracks and the adoption of CHRB Rule 1415 regarding public participation at meetings. The board approved a request from the California Motor Fair Authority to designate a fair number of meetings as an association meeting for pari-mutuel purposes to authorize transportation.
The board welcomed new member Thomas Hudnut, who took part in its first meeting since being appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom earlier this year. Hudnut filled a vacancy held by the expiration of commissioner Alex Solis, a retired Hall of Fame jockey.
In previous CHRB meetings, Solis often voted yes on contentious issues with chairman Dr. Greg Ferraro and members Dennis Alfieri and Damascus Castellanos.
Vice President Oscar Gonzales and members Brenda Davis and Wendy Mitchell regularly vote together, sometimes to assert more CHRB authority over California racing.
In an example from 2021, Gonzales, Davis and Mitchell supported a shorter six-month license last year to Los Alamitos . Racecourse after the track experienced a spike in the number of horse deaths. In a later meeting, Solis voted to grant Los Alamitos a license according to its five practices.
Hudnut has a long history in education, retiring as principal of a private school in 2013.
Scott Chaney, in his executive report, noted that the governor’s emergency order to allow phone consultations expires on March 31. Thus, starting with the CHRB meeting on the 21st. April, the board is expected to return to face-to-face meetings with the April meeting set to take place. in Sacramento.
