In the wake of a number of cases of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) at nearby Parx Racing, in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, Monmouth Park Racetrack, in Oceanport, New Jersey, has announced new protocols for all horses shipping to the track for its 2016 season.

All horsemen with horses shipping to the Monmouth Park stable area must meet the following requirements:

• All horses, including track ponies, must be vaccinated against EHV-1 more than seven days prior to arrival and within 90 days. Documentation must accompany the horse upon arrival;
• All horses must have a 72-hour health certificate accompany the horse upon arrival;
• Temperatures must be taken on all horses prior to loading on vans and must be documented;
• All horse vans should be properly disinfected prior to loading horses; and
• All horsemen should follow proper biosecurity procedures.

“It is vital that we take every precaution to ensure the health and safety of our equine athletes,” said Michael Anifantis, Monmouth Park’s director of racing and racing secretary. “These new procedures will make certain our stable area remains healthy for our upcoming racing season.”

Monmouth Park’s stable area opens on April 23, and the track will open for training on April 25. Live racing returns to the Jersey Shore on May 14