USEF Rule Change

I have to thank Jen, Chairperson of the Ventura County Chapter of CDS, for sharing this particular rule change. To see all of the USEF Rules or the list of proposed rule changes, visit this link.

As of December 1, 2015, USEF is requiring all horses who show at USEF licensed shows have proof of Flu and Rhino vaccinations within the past six months. Here's the actual text of the rule:

​GR845 Equine Vaccination Rule

1. At Federation licensed competitions, horses entering the grounds must be accompanied by documentation of Equine Influenza Virus and Equine Herpes Virus (Rhinopneumonitis) vaccinations within six months prior to entering the stables. Horses not in compliance with this rule may be required to leave the competition grounds upon request by Competition Management.

​Documentation should consist of one of the following methods mentioned below. The frequency of vaccine administration should be per the vaccine manufacturers’ or veterinarian’s recommendations. It is recommended that vaccines are administered by or under the direction of a veterinarian.

2. In the case of vaccines administered by a veterinarian, the exhibitor, upon request by Competition Management, must provide documentation from the veterinarian on documenting that the horse in question received the vaccinations; name of the vaccines and date of vaccine administration.

3. In the case of vaccines administered by a person other than a veterinarian, the exhibitor, upon request by Competition Management, must provide a receipt of the vaccine purchase which is signed by the owner, or agent with care, custody, and control of the horse; name, serial number and expiration date of the vaccine; and date of vaccine administration.

4. In the case of a horse that is unable to receive either of the vaccinations due to a history of adverse reactions, the exhibitor, upon request by Competition Management, must provide a letter from the veterinarian on official letterhead stating that the horse in question cannot be vaccinated due to medical concerns and a log of temperatures taken twice daily for the seven days prior to entering the competition grounds. These horses must also have their temperature taken and logged twice daily while on the competition grounds. The log of temperatures should be provided to the Competition Management, steward, or technical delegate when requested.

5. Competition Management may not amend or enhance vaccination requirements without prior approval of the Veterinary Committee.

​BOD 1/17/15 Effective 12/1/15.

In the current rule book, last updated 8/1/15, there is no GR845. It's a new rule that will go into effect with the 2016 show season. You can see the 2016 rule book here with the new rule in place. 

Izzy's spring visit.

I don't have a problem with the rule change, but it will make things more expensive for me. Unless there is a special concern, I don't typically give fall versions of Flu and Rhino. My little herd of two lives with another little herd of two who rarely leaves the property.

If anything, it is my two with whom everyone should be concerned. I travel quite regularly and expose my horses to all kinds of stuff and then bring it back to our quiet little ho hum facility of four stalls. I guess I really should vaccinate them twice a year - for everyone else's sake.

The new rule means that I will have now have to go to the vet at least twice a year. In the spring, my boys always get their annual vaccinations as well as have their teeth done. They also get a general all-over check and we do fecal counts. In the fall, I usually just take a poop sample to the vet and they call me with the results.

Since I might show in the early spring, I'll need more recent proof of having administered both vaccines. We did them last in March of this year. Ah well, it's not like it's a huge burden, but it does mean several hours of driving across town and back. My vet's ranch call charge is a lot more than the price for a gallon or two of gas. And since my barn is so small, it's not like there are a bunch of us needing him for the same thing.

I thought I had avoided a November vet visit. I guess I was wrong; we're going today.