SBACC Special Committee Meeting Minutes and final document (2)

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(b) While at work, rental horses shall be allowed to drink. However, a rental horse shall not be allowed to drink in large quantities unless it is first rested. Water shall be offered at frequent periods throughout the day or in the case of horses not at work, water shall be available at all times. Troughs shall be cleaned daily. Sufficient nutritional foods and water shall be provided free of dust, mold, vermin and other contaminants. Rental horses shall be fed at least twice daily with the larger feeding being provided after the horse has completed work. (c) Certified weights of all horses and horse drawn vehicles shall be registered with the Department of Animal Control annually. At the discretion of the Department of Animal Control, when supported by the opinion of a consulting veterinarian, a rental horse within a business may be restricted in regard to pulling/riding capacity, based on individual characteristics and abilities. (d) No rental horse shall be at work for more than eight hours a day. There shall be a rest period of 15 minutes for every two working hours. During such rest periods, the person in charge of such horse shall make fresh water available to the horse. (e) Rental horses shall not be worked in temperatures below -0 F., with wind chill factor applied. At no time shall a rental horse be at work when the sum of the relative humidity and ambient temperature exceeds 100º. For the purposes of this subdivision, temperatures shall be those measured “downtown” and broadcast by the local radio stations. An operator of a rental horse already at work at the time the temperatures reach the above described conditions shall return the passengers to the point of loading and rest the horse in sheltered conditions. Thereafter, such horses may be worked only when the weather conditions once again reach acceptable limits. (f) Rental horses shall not work on a public highway, street or path during adverse weather or other conditions which are a threat to the health or safety of the horse or the public. Adverse weather conditions may include but shall not be restricted to snow, ice, heavy rain, slippery conditions or excessive heat. (g) Carriage companies shall equip all carriages/horses with a manure catching device for use at all times while working. (h) No horse-drawn carriage shall be driven at a speed faster than a trot at any time. All such carriages shall adhere to state law on slow moving vehicles. No horse drawn carriage shall be operated between the hours of 7:00 a.m. through 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. through 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. (Where in South Bend are carriages permitted?) (i) It shall be the responsibility of the owner/operator of a rental horse drawn carriage to ensure there is a slow moving vehicle emblem displayed on each carriage, whenever the carriage is moved, operated, or driven. The triangular slow moving vehicle emblem will be mounted as near as is practicable to the center of mass and at an approximate height of not less than three and not more than five feet from level ground or surface. The emblem shall be mounted so as to be entirely visible from the rear, day or night. (j) It shall be the responsibility of the owner/operator of a rental horse drawn carriage to ensure there are flashing lamps mounted and in use whenever the carriage is moved, operated, or driven 1 hour before sunrise and 1 hour after sunset. A red or an amber flashing lamp will be mounted at a height as low as practicable that is visible from a distance of not less than five hundred feet to the rear. Also, a double-faced flashing lamp may be used, displaying amber light to the front and red or amber light to the rear. (k) Every horse whose use requires a license hereunder shall be examined by a veterinarian prior to its use in a rental horse business, and thereafter at intervals of not less than once a year. The horse shall be examined and treated for internal parasites. Its general physical condition shall be evaluated, which examination shall include but not be limited to, inspection of teeth, hooves, and shoes, and for its physical ability to perform the work or duties required of it. The examination shall also include a record of any injury, disease, or deficiency observed by the veterinarian at the time, together with any prescription or professional recommendation regarding humane correction or disposition of the same. An Indiana health certificate containing the above information and signed by the examining veterinarian shall be maintained at the stable premises at which such horse is located, and shall contain the identification number, age and condition of the horse. With a copy on file with SBACC. (l) The rental horse business shall take immediate action to obtain veterinary treatment, care and attention when any horse is or becomes sick, diseased, lame or injured. If a horse dies while at work or in the stable area, or is involved in an accident resulting in an injury to a horse, the Department of Animal Control shall be notified immediately.