Vic enhances horse movement protocols

Horses travelling to Victoria will be subject to the same stringent conditions as NSW with enhanced cross-border protocols to come into effect.

Racing Victoria has strengthened biosecurity conditions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic from midnight on Friday as racing continues around Australia .

While horses are not affected by coronavirus, the protocols relate to their handlers and drivers.

They need to travel with a company approved by RV and drivers must not leave the cabins.

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The equipment used such as head collars and leads must be the property of the stable and not the float company and must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before and after transportation.

Before and after the journey, the vehicle needs to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to minimise risks.

“Whilst the COVID-19 coronavirus does not affect horses, we need to ensure that the appropriate protocols are in place to manage the people handling them,” RV chief executive Giles Thompson said.

Racing has resumed around country after results of jockey Mark Zahra’s coronavirus test were negative.

Zahra travelled on a commercial flight from Sydney to Melbourne on March 12 with health authorities contacting him this week to say a passenger had tested positive.