NEWS

Newsletter provided by Michael Manno, DVM, MS - Chairman, USPA Equine Welfare Committee

Equine Reporting Tip Line
An anonymous tip line has been established for tips regarding equine abuse and neglect. The USPA Equine Welfare Committee encourages anyone making a report to first reach out to their local animal control to report the issue. If you would like to make your report to the USPA, we ask that you please leave as much detail as possible in your message. Be sure to include the City and State as well as the name of the person you are reporting, how many horses are involved and any information you think is pertinent. You may also leave your name and phone number, which will be kept confidential if you are willing to be contacted for additional information. Anonymous tip line number: (866) 563-5534 or reports may also be sent to equinewelfare@uspolo.org.

Microchipping horses
This technology has been around for several years now and is a great way to give an electronic identification to pets and horses. In horses this is done by implanting a small microchip under the skin in the upper region of the neck halfway between the head and the withers. The procedure is relatively easy and pain free. Many equine organizations have adopted this policy such as the Thoroughbred Jockey Club which required all foals born as of 2016 to be microchipped prior to registration. This procedure is usually done by a veterinarian, but many owners and ranch managers have learned to do it themselves. The microchips have an electronic ID number and owner information can be sent to the manufacturer’s registry. The USPA Equine Welfare Committee would like to ask all USPA members to look into the possibility of microchipping their horses.

Medication Testing Program
The resumption of medication testing in polo ponies competing in USPA-sanctioned tournaments began in late summer and will gradually increase moving forward. We encourage all members to review the Drugs and Medication Rules in order to become familiar with the process. The Committee would like to encourage everyone to understand the Responsible Party clause which essentially states that if you mount a horse and go on to the field to play, you are responsible for the medication condition of that horse. This is true whether the player owns the horse, rents the horse, borrows the horse, is playing the horse for another owner or is being provided horses to play by a sponsor or pooled horses in a tournament. It is important that if you are playing horses that do not belong to you or that you do not have under your control, that you inquire as to their medication condition. It would be especially important to make all grooms and barn managers aware of this situation. Medication testing will take place at all levels of polo - high, medium, low, Intercollegiate/Interscholastic and arena tournaments throughout the year at various polo clubs around the country. Please review the rules here.