ARVS Advice on Relevant Experience for Veterinary Surgeons, Providing Services at Meetings Regulated by the British Horseracing Authority

Introduction:

ARVS supports the proposed accreditation system for racecourse vets and the concept of self –certification. We feel that the policing of any list and the responsibility for including or not including any member on the list must remain with the BHA.

We are happy to describe and justify what experience and qualifications a racecourse vet should generally have if they are to be accredited for track work and ARVS is prepared to advise BHA as to the relevance of the experience declared by any vet who seeks dispensation.

Criteria to be met:

There are three criteria that we believe to be important and that should normally be met by accredited racecourse vets.

1) At least 5 years experience working in a practice (or an equivalent clinical capacity) with

2) A significant (at least 50%) equine current case load including the need to regularly attend to injured horses as part of the normal working week.

Five years experience is believed to be necessary in order that the communication skill required to deal with unfamiliar owners/trainers has had sufficient time to be developed. At least five years of experience treating a significant number of injured horses is believed to be necessary to enable a high level of practical expertise to be developed.

3) Attendance at an approved Casualty Management Seminar within the last 5 years.

Regular attendance is important for all, not only to ensure that racecourse vets are informed of the latest treatment options but also to ensure a good knowledge of relevant BHA regulations and to promote a consistent and high quality service across all tracks.

Dispensations

With regard to:

Five Years Qualified: Dispensations should only be used in an emergency and for a limited period of time, it is strongly recommended that all racecourse vets have been qualified for more than 5 years.

Current Practice Caseload: It is expected that the bulk of racecourse vets will come from general or equine practice however there will be a small number of vets who have had experience of practice, but that are now otherwise employed. These vets should apply for dispensation and explain why they should be accredited, citing relevant previous experience and evidence of how they are maintaining their practical skills and knowledge now they are no longer in practice. In deciding whether a dispensation is appropriate or not the BHA should consult it’s Veterinary Officers with whom the applicant has worked and ARVS who will provide advice on a case by case basis.

Attendance at CMS: Short-term dispensation could be allowed, but only until the next available CMS, this may be appropriate for a new vet in a practice, who otherwise meets the above criteria. Dispensation for equine specialist clinicians could be considered on a case-by-case basis however it should be understood that the CMS provides more than an update on current therapeutic protocols. ARVS believes that dispensation for “specialists” should not be a routine formality, and that specialists attending the CMS have an important contribution to make to the seminars. The valuable opportunity to discuss the issues encountered on racecourses with other experienced racecourse vets and BHA officials should not be underestimated; this is a feature of the CMS that expert clinicians and general practitioners alike can benefit from, leading to a more consistent approach. ARVS is prepared to advise BHA on a case-by-case basis.