22/03/2007
- Transportation of Horses to the 2008 Olympic Games
The
Veterinary Committee and the Welfare Sub Committee of the FEI had a meeting to
discuss transport related issues for the 2008 Olympic Games, on 19 March 2007.
The meeting was attended by Mr Martin Atock, Managing Director Peden Bloodstock,
and the FEI Directors of the Veterinary and Olympic Departments. The
meeting considered flight schedules, arrival times and the related competition
dates. While recognising the many complicating factors involved in
competition horse shipment and being appreciative of the huge amount of work and
support that those involved, in particular Martin Atock as the appointed transporter,
had carried out it was felt that the Committee should make a number of issues
clear. In the interest of a safe competition and an optimal transport, the
Veterinary Committee advises, parallel to the pre-Atlanta research outcome, that
the horses arrive approximately 10 days prior to competition. This will enable
a thorough flight recovery and give the horses a fair chance to get used to the
HKG climatic conditions. It also leaves room for treatment in case any horse suffers
from travel sickness or minor injury in flight. At the moment, flying schedules
are being designed to adhere as closely as possible to the 10-day period, although
this will not be possible in each case. Further discussions are required
to define the optimal stable temperature in air-conditioned stables and the temperature
phases leading from horse arrival to competition (e.g. start with a cool temperature
and gradually increase in the days leading up to competition). The test event
will help in this evaluation. At the moment it looks like most of the horses
will travel to HKG in combi flights; this creates more room for transport of grooms,
gives more flexibility in flight scheduling, but causes some problems in terms
of unloading the horses and the aircraft turnover time. This issue is being given
urgent attention as the time from aircraft to air-conditioned lorries/stables
at the venue is one of the most important transport related factors in preventing
post flight fever and has a major effect on post flight recovery of the horses.
It would be of great benefit to the sport if NFs participating in the Olympic
Test Event are requested to share their monitoring protocols in an attempt to
collect as much data as possible in a standardised way, and also to allow these
data to be shared for the benefit of our sports both at the Olympic Games and
in the future. The chairman would be happy to coordinate this issue as soon as
the final list of those attending is finalised. For the future it is recommended
that the FEI is represented during discussions between the allocated horse transporter
and the representatives of BOCOG, HKJC, airport authorities, etc. when transport
issues are discussed. It is planned to organize a seminar on Competition
and Transport issues in heat and humid conditions at the beginning of 2008, during
which the findings from the test event will be discussed with any involved party.
This seminar will be open to all interested. John C. McEwen BVMS
MRCVS. Dr Frits Sluyter
Chairman, FEI Veterinary Committee Director of FEI
Veterinary Department
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