Vets from Pool House Veterinary Group have been associated with racing at Uttoxeter and Wolverhampton Race Courses for the last Thirty Years.
National hunt and Flat Racing can be extremely dangerous Sports. The 'Jockey Club' therefore has stringent rules to ensure the safety of jockeys, horses and spectators. On a Race day each course must have two doctors, two Veterinary Surgeons, two ambulances (one crewed by a paramedic team) and an Equine Ambulance in attendance before racing can start. In addition to this the 'Jockey Club's' own Veterinary Officer is present to check the identification of the horses and give advice as to their fitness to compete. After each race he will dope test one of the horses as instructed by the Stewards, to ensure that none of the horses have had any from of drug administered to them.
The Course Veterinary Surgeons are responsible for ensuring prompt emergency treatment should an accident occur. A report of any serious incident is made to the 'Jockey Club' after each meeting, these reports are monitored by Stewards. Many improvements have been made to racecourses over the years, and fortunately fatal accidents are very much on the decline. Ironically a Race Course is probably one of the safest places for horses to exercise as Veterinary help is literally only minutes away.
Richard Stephenson, beside the horse ambulance at Uttoxeter R.C.
The ambulance can be used to move a severely lame horse to the treatment room.
Hugh Davies started the Practice's association with Uttoxeter Race Course and is an active member of the British Race Course Veterinary Surgeons Association.
Each jump is manned by a safety team, who will close off a fence in the event of an accident. The Vet must work closely with the highly experienced ground Staff, to prevent serious injury where ever possible.
A rapid response to any accident is essential.
In National Hunt racing the horses start from behind a line not from Stalls as in Flat Racing. A Vet. is present at each start in case any last minute problem occurs. Any horse that is suspected to be unfit will be withdrawn even at this late stage.
Equine Services
