SECTION 309.254. Equine Ambulance

(a) An association shall provide an equine ambulance and trained personnel on association grounds on each day that the racetrack is open for racing or exercising.

(b) The ambulance must be properly ventilated and kept in the shade at an entrance to the racing strip when not in use.

(c) The ambulance must be a large, covered and enclosed vehicle that is low to the ground. The ambulance must be able to:

(1) navigate on the racetrack during all weather conditions; and

(2) transport a horse off the association grounds.

(d) The ambulance must be equipped with:

(1) large, portable screens to shield a horse from public view;

(2) ramps or a system to lower the ambulance to ground level to load a horse;

(3) adequate means of loading a horse that is down;

(4) a rear door and a door on each side;

(5) a padded interior;

(6) a movable partition to initially provide more room to load a horse and to later restrict a horse's movement;

(7) a shielded area for the individual handling the horse;

(8) a storage area for supplies;

(9) a front leg Kimzey brace or an equivalent approved by the Commission veterinarian; and

(10) a water supply to treat heat exhaustion.

(e) If the ambulance is being used to transport a horse, the association may not conduct a race until the ambulance is replaced.

Source Note: The provisions of this §309.254 adopted to be effective October 21, 1999, 24 TexReg 8969; amended to be effective December 7, 2008, 33 TexReg 10003