HEALTH & SAFETY
New York Gaming Commision focuses on horse stables
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. − The New York Gaming Commission is doing all it can to help combat COVID-19 and keep the healthy and safety of employees a main priority at this time.
Effective on March 22, 2020, New York State Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo requested employers to reduce the number of their employees working at individual locations in the state by 100 percent, which has since been extended through April 15.
“While the employment reduction requirements apply to all for- profit and notfor-profit employers in New York State, animal care (not racing) operations have been deemed essential and are exempt,” said the gaming commission in a press release. “For purposes of the Executive Orders, animal care operations include equine barn or facility maintenance, equine turnout and exercise, stall cleaning and enclosure repair, and farrier and veterinary care.”
The status of New York racetracks, in regards to remaining open or closing, is a decision left to each racetrack and the horseman’s organization.
“Should a racetrack or barn area remain open there are certain standards that must be maintained,” said the gaming commission. “Commission staff recently visited each licensed racetrack to review the procedures and processes that have been imposed during this extraordinary time.
“While we were pleased to find basic health and safety precautions being followed, it is appropriate to underscore best practices.”
Access to the racetracks will be limited to essential personnel to the care and maintenance of horses and the track.
“There must be tightly controlled access to racetracks or barn areas that remain open, with the racetrack and backstretch areas closed to all non- essential
personnel. Only certain licensed racetrack employees, trainers, veterinarians, farriers and stable workers should be afforded access. No visitation by owners, friends or family should be permitted.
“This control starts with upgraded security controls and procedures that underscore and enable limiting gate access.”
Facilities that remain open for training purposes, it will the management’s responsibility to maintain the training surface in a safe condition.
“Failure to properly maintain the surface presents significant risk to the equine athlete and those engaged in exercising or training. Racetracks must not allow, by omission, any unnecessary risk relative to its racing surfaces.”
Racetracks are required to maintain basic welfare responsibilities such as: the removal of refuse, manure, stained straw, ensuring sanitary needs to the facility remain satisfied, and securing a reliable supply of products necessary to maintain the population.
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association ( NTRA) and the U. S Trotting Association both maintain webpages dedicated to dissemination of Novel Coronavirus-related information.
The gaming commission specified that each race track should put an emphasis on social distancing and cleaning.
“All facilities that remain open must practice social distancing, and proper cleaning and sanitizing, in accordance with the guidelines and recommendations provided within the aforementioned websites. We also strongly encourage each facility to post signage – in English and Spanish – detailing handwashing procedures and social distancing protocols in prominent locations. Focused cleaning efforts should be targeted on door and stall handles, railings, flat door handles, shared practice equipment and other frequently touched surfaces.”
The current pandemic causes the basic of issue of paying to take care maintain the track and its horses without revenue coming in.
“As there is no pari-mutuel racing activity, the ability to generate revenue that supports the care and comfort of the equine athlete and those that tend to the animals have been functionally eliminated. Regardless, costs associated with operations such as employee salaries, veterinary care, feed and bedding remain.”
“We understand the difficulty imposed to ensure these services are available,” said the gaming commission. “But it is simply unacceptable not to accommodate the needs of horses and workers.”
The New York Gaming Commission has no financial resources to assist tracks struggling to maintain standards, but says it is able to provide guidance and direction.
“COVID-19 is a public health disaster,” said the Commission. “Let’s all work together when necessary to prevent individual disasters and get into the best position to resume racing when that opportunity occurs.”