With the Desert Circuit set to kick off Jan. 22, 2013, HITS, Inc., has turned its attention to the safe arrival and settling in of equine guests at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal. New for 2013 are equine health and safety procedures designed to ensure a great show experience for all.

For the first time, the company is implementing state-sanctioned required biosecurity measures to decrease the risk of introduction and/or spread of contagious or infectious disease at the show.

"This is new this year and we support the new requirements," said Jill Westerholm, DVM, of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, in Lexington, Ky., attending veterinarian at HITS Thermal. "There has not been a confirmed case of EHV-1 (equine herpesvirus-1) in California since April, but this is a good precautionary move."

Westerholm will be assisted on-site by colleagues Annie Ubatuba, DVM; office assistant Katie Gill; and the Thermal clinic, where for the first time, chiropractic services will be offered