Jogging machines could be banned

THE death of a young harness racing horse while it was being exercised using a mechanical trainer at Globe Derby Park has prompted a call for a ban on the device.

 

Harness Racing SA and RSPCA are investigating the death of the yearling last weekend as it was being put through its paces while tethered to the trainer, which was being towed by a car.

 

The cause of death hasn’t been officially confirmed but it is understood the horse had its neck broken.

 

The RSPCA said it opposed the use of any training equipment that had the potential to cause harm.

 

“If indeed it is found that this equipment has caused the death of a horse, then obviously we would not support its use,’’ RSPCA SA chief inspector Andrea Lewis said.

 

Harness Racing SA said it was alerted to the death on Monday, and launched an immediate investigation.

 

It said the continued use of the mechanical trainers — which was common in the harness racing industry — was part of the inquiry.

 

Harness Racing SA chief steward Barbara Scott said as soon at it was alerted to the horse’s death, “two stewards were asked to leave the race meeting and begin an investigation’’.

 

“They have identified who was in charge of the horse and those people have been directed to come to the inquiry.’’

 

The chief steward said she was restricted in what details could be provided about the fatal incident but confirmed the horse was young but had been broken in.

 

She said the people in charge of the horse at the time it died were “cooperating with the inquiry’’.

 

“It’s common practice (to use this equipment), a lot of horse benefit from being on the jogger and it’s done not just in SA but other states as well,’’ the chief steward said.

 

“We get very few horses injured using this (equipment) but part of the inquiry will look at the use of them in future.’’

 

Harness horse trainers typically tow the mechanical trainers and horses to the practice track provided for them at Globe Derby Park.

 

Police said drivers had to obtain a special permit from the Transport Department to tow the device on public roads.

 

Otherwise they could face fines for towing an unregistered/uninsured trailer and leading an animal while in or on a vehicle.

 

 

Reprinted with permission of the Herald Sun  – Check site here