The Horserace Betting Levy Board’s code of practice for equine viral arteritis for the 1994 breeding season.

This research article discusses the revised code of practice for managing equine viral arteritis, a horse venereal disease, by the Horserace Betting Levy Board following a recent outbreak in the UK.

Introduction to Equine Viral Arteritis

• Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is a contagious disease in horses caused by the equine arteritis virus. The disease can reduce the reproductive performance of stallions and mares, leading to commercial losses for breeders and racing entities.
• The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB), responsible for the welfare of racing horses, annually publishes a code of practice for controlling EVA and other diseases.

Changes in this year’s Code of Practice for EVA

• The current year’s code of practice for EVA saw substantial changes due to a recent outbreak of the disease in the UK. This indicates a heightened response to manage and prevent future occurrences of the disease.

Targets of the Code

• The revised code of practice is developed for and intended for utilization by veterinary surgeons and breeders of both thoroughbred and non-thoroughbred horses. These people compose the frontline workforce directly responsible for the health of horses and can implement the recommendations given in the code of practice.

Minimum Measures and Recommendation by HBLB

• The HBLB stresses that the revised codes present the minimum requirements necessary for monitoring the presence of EVA and preventing its spread upon detection. It suggests that additional measures may be required in some circumstances, depending on factors like the severity of the outbreak and local conditions.