According to a report, owners of standardbreds competing at Truro Raceway in Nova Scotia will have to wait until at least Wednesday (December 17) to find out whether two horses on the premises have tested positive for strangles.
In an article posted today on thechronicleherald.ca states that Steve Morton, president of the Truro Harness Horseowners Association, believes that people at the track feel that horses have been afflicted with a general virus and not strangles, as tests for the contagious respiratory illness were deemed inconclusive.
Dr. Paul Hogan also commented on the situation in the article. The article states that Dr. Hogan was informed of two sick horses on December 6. In turn, he contacted the trainer, quarantined the barn and arranged for a veterinarian to take swabs on December 7. Those tests came back as inconclusive for the presence of strangles. The Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission then ordered a second round of tests, the results of which are being waited on with anticipation.
"A decision was made in consultation with a number of other veterinarians that the prudent and precautionary measure would be to prevent any movement of horses onto and off of the grounds," said Dr. Hogan.
To read the article in its entirety, click here.
(With files from thechronicleherald.ca)
They should not be permitted
They should not be permitted to race until the whole situation has been sorted out.