Updated: 1 August 2022
Originally Issued: July 2005
NOTICE TO TRAINERS
Please be advised that Racing Victoria has reviewed compliance with the Rules of Racing AR 107, AR 206 and LR 47A, 47B and 47C and LR 85 regulating farriery and the types and application of racing plates.
Trainers are advised to review these rules and note the following:
1. Bonded-on Plates
Bonded-on plates are defined as race plates secured to the foot by the use of any material or agent other than nails and are considered Therapeutic Plates.
Trainers must submit a Gear Change Request for the use of bonded on race plates. This can be done by selecting “glue on shoe” and noting in the comments section that it is a “bonded-on” plate. The use of a Therapeutic Plate will be subject to approval by the Stewards (AR 206).
The replating by nailing on a replacement plate for a horse that has lost a bonded-on plate will be assessed on a case-by-case basis with the RV Official Raceday Farrier providing expert advice to the Stewards who will make the final decision as to whether to make an attempt to re-plate the horse or, whether the horse should be withdrawn from the race.
To assist in making this assessment, with the objectives of protecting the safety and welfare of the horse and rider and of protecting the interests of the betting public, Trainers must declare their intention to race a horse in therapeutic bonded-on plates and complete the Farriery – Application for Bonded-on Racing plate/s and:
a. report the nature of the injury or condition that requires the use of therapeutic plating; and
b. provide advice on the appropriateness of attempting to re-plate the horse by the nailing on of a standard racing plate.
2. Gear Changes – the use of Therapeutic Plates and or Synthetic Hoof Repair Material
Prior to acceptance time, Trainers must submit a Gear Change Request for the use of a therapeutic plate and or synthetic hoof repair material. The use of a therapeutic plate will be subject to approval by the Stewards.
The following are considered therapeutic plates:
Glue –On (according to LR 57) (including Sigafoos and Mustad)
- Any type of bar plate
- Any type of concussion plate
- Hoof pads
- Tips and partial plates including ¾ plates
- Bonded-on plates (race plates secured to the foot by the use of any material or agent other than nails)
The horse with therapeutic plates and or synthetic hoof material must be presented for examination on arrival at the racecourse for inspection by a RV Raceday Farrier.
3. Loss of a Therapeutic Plate on the Racecourse
If a horse loses or damages a therapeutic plate on the way to the start, the following procedures will apply:
a. if a Glue–On shoe or Hoof Pad is lost, the Stewards will order the withdrawal of the horse;
b. if any form of bar plate, tip or partial plate (including ¾ plates) is lost and the cast shoe cannot be located or is damaged, the Stewards will order the withdrawal of the horse, unless the Trainer has provided a spare formed, fitted and labelled therapeutic plate to the RV Raceday Farrier
c. if any other therapeutic plate is cast on the way to the start, the RV Raceday Farrier will advise the Stewards of the situation and the practicality of replating the horse. The Stewards will then decide upon the appropriate course of action.
d. the Stewards may, in exceptional circumstances, permit a horse to race bare-footed behind, but horses will not be permitted to race bare footed in front.
e. if any plate incorporated into extensive synthetic hoof repair is lost and in the opinion of the
RV Raceday Farrier there is significant damage to the repair, the Stewards will order the withdrawal of the horse.
4. Plating of Racehorses by an Unlicensed Farrier
All horses racing in Victoria must be shod by a licensed Farrier or an employee of a licensed
Farrier unless special permission has been granted by the Stewards (LR 47A).
If the Stewards have provided such permission, all racehorses plated by an unlicensed Farrier must be presented for examination on arrival at the racecourse for inspection by a RV Raceday Farrier.
5. The Weight of Plates
The weight of racing plates and therapeutic plates needs to be controlled to ensure that plating cannot be used to affect the performance of a horse and also to reduce the risk of plates lost in running causing injury to other race participants.
Unless specific permission is granted by the stewards, all racing plates must comply with the Rules of Racing
Please ensure that your Farrier is aware of the weight restrictions that apply to racing plates (150 grams) and therapeutic plates (170 grams).
6. The Use of Over-Sized Nails
The heads of nails must not protrude more than 2 mm from the surface of a racing plate or tip
(for example large E4 and E3 nails).
7. The Height of Clips
The height restriction is a safety measure to minimize the potential of damage to deep structures of the foot in the event of shifting or loss of a plate.
Clips must not exceed the maximum height of 15 mm.
RV Farriers have been instructed to pay attention to compliance with the Rules of Racing and to report non-compliances to the Stewards.
Thank you for your cooperation.
If you have any queries, please contact the Department of Equine Welfare and Veterinary
Services at Racing Victoria.
RELEVANT RULES OF RACING
AR 107 Plates and tips
(1) The trainer is at all times responsible for ensuring that horses with race engagements comply with the following requirements from the time when they arrive on course, except where the Stewards permit otherwise:
(a) plates and tips must be made of an approved material capable of being forged or moulded into shape;
(b) tips must cover at least one third of the perimeter of the hoof;
(c) except in the case of approved therapeutic plates approved by the Stewards which may weigh up to 170g, plates and tips must not exceed 150g in weight;
(d) plates and tips must be securely and properly fitted and must not protrude beyond the perimeter of the hoof;
(e) plates must be secured by a minimum of 5 nails and tips by a minimum of 3 nails;
(f) heads of nails must not protrude more than 2mm from the surface of a plate or tip;
(g) forged or rolled toe and side clips are permitted provided those clips have blunt, rounded edges and do not exceed 15mm in height and 20mm in width;
(h) steel inserts are permitted provided they are level with the surface of the plate;
(i) bar plates are permitted, provided that the entire plate including the bar is in one piece;
(j) a bar may be welded or riveted to the plate provided that the surface of the bar is level with that of the plate;
(k) heeled plates or caulks are not permitted in flat races;
(l) cutting plates, grippers or any other form of plates or tips which, in the opinion of the
Stewards, may be dangerous, are not permitted;
(m) hoof pads must be of a material, design and weight approved by the Stewards.
(2) A horse cannot start in a race unless it is fully shod with plates or tips that meet the requirements of this rule, except that in exceptional circumstances the Stewards may permit a horse to run barefooted or partly shod.
(3) Prior to the acceptance time of any race a horse is entered in, a trainer must:
(a) obtain approval from the Stewards for the use of any synthetic hoof repair material, hoof pads or any non-standard, partial, modified and/or therapeutic racing plates or tips; and
(b) notify the Stewards of any change from tips to plates, or from plates to tips.
(4) To ensure compliance with the requirements for plating set out in this rule, the Stewards may engage a person (including a farrier’s supervisor) to inspect any horses presented for racing.
(5) If a mishap with a plate or tip occurs during a race, that must be reported by the trainer to the Stewards immediately.
AR 206 Horses must only race in approved gear
(1) Except for other gear approved by the Stewards for trackwork, for a race, official trial, jumpout or trackwork all gear to be used on a horse must be approved by the Chairmen of Stewards and listed in the National Equipment Register – Horses and Riders.
(2) Permission must be obtained from the Stewards prior to acceptance time for a race in order for a horse to race in any approved gear (including racing plates) listed in the National Equipment Register – Horses and Riders.
(3) If permission is obtained under subrule (2), then, unless approval from or instruction by the Stewards is provided prior to acceptance time for a subsequent race, that gear is to be used without variation in subsequent races in which the horse participates. LR 47A Horses to be attended by licensed farrier.
(1) Unless otherwise authorised by the Stewards, horses engaged to run in a race or official trial must arrive at the Course having been shod or plated by a licensed farrier or his or her registered employee.
(2) The Stewards may authorise exceptions under sub-rule (1) either: (a) on an ad hoc basis; or
(b) by registering certain persons in accordance with LR 47D to shoe horses presented for races or official trials under such conditions or for such period of time as the Stewards see fit.
(3) Any horse that has been shod or plated under sub-rule (2) of this rule must be presented for inspection to the farrier’s supervisor, or any other person appointed by the Stewards, upon arrival at the Course.
(4) Any person who breaches any part of this Rule or who causes any part of this Rule to be breached may be penalised by the Stewards.
LR 47B Farriers’ licences
(1) An application to the Directors for the grant or renewal of a farrier’s licence must: (a) be in the required form;
(b) provide information as required by the Directors; and
(c) be accompanied by the applicable fee as published in the Prescribed Fee Schedule.
(a) farrier
(b) visiting farrier; or
(c) visiting international farrier.
(1A) Categories: An application for the grant of a farrier’s licence may be made for the following categories of farrier:
(2) Subject to LR 47B(6), the Directors may from time to time prescribe educational
qualifications and experience requirements which must be attained as a precondition to the
grant of a farrier’s licence.
(3) The Directors without giving reasons may:
(a) refuse to grant a farrier’s licence; or
(b) grant a farrier’s licence subject to such terms and conditions as the Directors think fit, including but not limited to restrictions regarding duration or locality or both.
(4) The Directors may at any time revoke a farrier’s licence, including without limitation where the holder of the farrier’s licence:
(a) is not actively using the farrier’s licence; or
(b) ceases to meet the requirements to be granted a farrier’s licence in accordance with the Rules.
(5) All farrier’s licences expire on the 31 July next after issue, unless cancelled suspended or revoked.
(6) It is a precondition to the grant of a farrier’s licence that the applicant:
(a) is competent to hold a farrier’s licence;
(b) is trade certified with National Certificate III in Farriery or equivalent;
(c) is of good reputation and character and is a fit and proper person to hold a licence to shoe or plate racehorses.
LR 47C Farrier’s Apprentices (formally known as Farrier’s employees)
(1) A licensed farrier must not employ or retain in employment any person in connection with the performance of farriery on racehorses unless such person is registered by the licensed farrier in accordance with this Rule.
(2) An application for registration of a farrier’s apprentice must be made by a licensed farrier:
(a) in the required form;
(b) with such information as required by the Directors; and
(c) accompanied by the applicable fee as published in the Prescribed Fee Schedule.
(2A) Categories: An application for registration of a farrier’s apprentice may be made for the following categories:
(a) apprentice farrier;
(b) visiting apprentice farrier; or
(c) visiting international apprentice farrier.
(3) The Directors may from time to time prescribe educational qualifications and experience requirements which must be attained as a precondition for a person to be registered as a farrier’s apprentice.
(4) The Directors may in their absolute discretion:
(a) refuse to register a person as a farrier’s apprentice;
(b) register a person as a farrier’s apprentice subject to any conditions;
(c) revoke, cancel or vary the conditions of any registration.
(5) Term of registration: All of the registrations expire on the 31 July next after issue unless:
(a) revoked earlier in accordance to LR 47C(4);
(b) cancelled;
(c) suspended;
(d) disqualified; or
(e) otherwise provided for under the terms and conditions of an apprentice farrier registration.
LR 85 PLATES AND SHOES
(1) Approval and discontinuation of use of therapeutic plates and shoes:
(a) Unless otherwise approved by Stewards, permission to use therapeutic plates or shoes in a race must be obtained from the Stewards prior to acceptance time for the race.
(b) Unless otherwise approved by Stewards, permission to discontinue use of the therapeutic plates or shoes in a race must be obtained from the Stewards prior to acceptance time for the race.
(c) For the purpose of this rule, therapeutic plates include:
(i) glue-on (including Sigafoo and mustad), bar plates, concussion plates, tips and partial plates, and bonded-on plates;
(ii) any other therapeutic plate listed in the National Equipment Register;
(iii) synthetic hoof repair material;
(iv) hoof pads; and
(v) hoof cast material.
(d) If a therapeutic plate is damaged or cast prior to the start of a race, the Stewards may order the withdrawal of the horse from the race.
(2) Glue on shoes: Additional conditions for use for mustad race-glue shoes in Victoria:
(a) Earliest time of fitting: The shoes must be fitted no more than 48 hours before the race unless otherwise approved by the Stewards.
(b) Farrier to fit shoes: Except for horses from interstate or overseas which have been fitted with these shoes prior to arriving in Victoria the fitting of the shoes on all horses must be performed by a farrier registered with Racing Victoria.
(c) Inspection: The trainer must ensure that the horse shod with these shoes is inspected as soon as possible after arrival on the course on the day of the race by a farrier registered with Racing Victoria.
Shoe cast or damaged: If a shoe is cast or so damaged that it cannot be secured and needs to be removed, the Stewards must order the withdrawal of the horse from the race.
[deleted and replaced 9/5/22]