Hawthorne Backstretch Update – Barn A, 8, K2 Protocol
This
morning we were able to receive updated tests results in regards to the
remaining ponies and some of the recently tested horses within Barn A. First, we have the full results of 85 ponies,
which have been tested, all 85 ponies tested negative.
Today marks
three weeks since the confirmed neurologic cases within Barn A. Since that time, we have been able to move 40
horses, which have tested negative from Barn A into Barn 8 at Hawthorne. Under the directive of the Illinois
Department of Agriculture, those horses are now 8 days into their 21-day period
before they will be tested again to be reintroduced into the horse
population. Because of the State regulations,
no new horses can be added to the group within Barn 8 as their reintroduction
period has already begun.
While we
understand there are logistic problems in locating/relocating horses during
this timeframe, we have been able to limit the areas to Barns A, 8, and
K2. As more horses are being tested and
coming up negative, we are able to create another area for negative horses so
they may begin their reintroduction to the horse population. Those horses which have still tested positive
will be moved to Barn K2 as all will be put onto the same timeline for
testing/reintroduction.
The new
negative horses will be allowed to begin training out of Barn A as they begin
their 21-day reintroduction process.
Additionally, those horses within barn K2, which are asymptomatic and
have had no fever within the last week will also be
able to return to the track to train.
Their 21-day reintroduction period will begin when the horses within
Barn K2 test negative.
We
understand this is a logistical nightmare for many and we thank everyone for
their cooperation through this process.
There are many owners, trainers, veterinarians, and employees that have
been displaced through this process.
This is time consuming, but we are working to get as many healthy horses
back to the track as quickly as possible under the guidelines presented to us
by the Department of Agriculture for the State of Illinois.
Based on
the amount of horses that will be returning to training, training hours will be
adjusted beginning Saturday, November 10.
Starting Saturday morning, regular training hours will be from 6:00 –
10:00 AM with one break at 8:00 AM. The
starting gate will be available from 7:30 – 9:30 AM. Training for horses from Barns A, 8 and K2
will be 10:00 – Noon.
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