Editor's Note: This was handed out to the professional horse trainers who attended the WHTA meeting today to vote on the Operating Plan. Despite the handout, the trainers voted 2 to 1 to sign the 2007-2009 Operating Plan.
Changes in New 2007-2009 Operating Plan
*It is very important for all Trainers to review the changes in the proposed Operating Plan in order to make an informed decision as to vote for or against the Operating Plan.
1. Probation - The only penalty that allows probation is the scar rule which is one year after a penalty is served. With this change, the new OP has reduced the number of different horses receiving a scar rule violation from 8 horses to 3 horses when the enhanced penalties apply. SCAR RULE: An agreement should be reached on how to interpret the scar rule before signing an Operating Plan.
2. Loss of Function - No medical definition has been stated in the Operating Plan. Is loss of function joint movements or single follicle inability to grow hair? Should this be addressed prior to signing the OP and does it leave it to the VMO to interpret as he/she sees it? (This is not in the HPA)
3. Plastic/6 oz chains - In the new OP any chain weighing over 6 ounces will be prohibited from the show grounds. Caution, if you buy a pair of 6 ounce chains from the tack truck, do NOT weigh them at the DQP. Should they weight 6.1, you would be in violation of the OP. Plastic will be prohibited also. What are the penalties? (this is not in the HPA)
4. HIO and Board Suspensions - With new OP no one can serve on a HIO Board while serving a suspension and serve probation of an additional year for anything over 30 days (This is not in the HPA)
5. Conflict Resolution - In the new OP the owner does not have the right to show. At the 2006 Celebration, all the scar rule tickets were found in favor of the horse, yet none of them were afforded the opportunity to compete for World Championship honors nor were entry fees or expenses refunded.
6. Horses on Suspension - In the Horse Protection Act, there is no provisions for suspending a horse. In the new OP it calls for a horse to be placed on suspension for 3 months for bilateral sensitivity and 8 months for pressure shoeing (if the owner is found in violation). In the last OP we agreed to a scar rule suspension for the horse. (If a horse gets three scar rule violations, the horse will be suspended for one year.)
7. The new OP does not count Holidays or weekends during suspension. For example, if a suspension of 30 days was started on May 1, it could be June 11 before suspension is concluded. The “official holidays” have not been stated in the new OP.
8. Pressure Shoeing - Pressure shoeing changes are 1st offense - 5 years, 2nd offense Lifetime.
9. Unilateral Sore- increases to 30 days from 2 weeks with NO probation in the new OP.
10. Bilateral Sore- will remain at 8 months with NO probation period.
11. Technical violations under the new OP, even if correctible, CANNOT show.
12. In the new OP, bookkeeping records will be kept separate for Padded vs. Flat shod horses. (This is not in the HPA)
13. In the new OP, the Suspension List will be published for the public to view (This is not in the HPA)
14. In the new OP, the horse will be required to walk a figure 8 instead of a current single turn. (This is not in the HPA)
There is no probation for a horse that fails any one of the three diagnostic tools used to determine a sore horse. Palpation, Appearance or Locomotion.