据报道，所有参加北京2008年奥运会马术比赛的马匹须通过海外检疫中心7天隔离期，并获得健康证明到达香港后，在香港本地再进行为期10天的观察隔离。正式比赛前所有赛马还须进行一系列繁琐而复杂的检疫程序，包括测量体温、验血、尿检等。所有这些检疫项目为赛马保持良好的竞技状态，在赛场上发挥出最佳水平提供了可靠保障。

All horses to participate in the 2008 Olympic Games will have to go through quarantine before and after entering Hong Kong, the venue¹ of the events.

The official in charge of the work said the purpose of the process is to ensure health for the horses.

The horses are subject to one-week quarantine in six quarantine centers located in North America, Europe and Oceania (Australia and New Zealand), according to an arrangement made between a Hong Kong agency, the International Equestrian² Federation³ and the World Organization for Animal Health. Only those horses with health certificates are qualified⁴ for the competition.

Internationally recognized experts will make body temperature, blood and urine checkups to make sure the horses are not infected by any epidemic⁵ diseases.

After entering Hong Kong, the horses will again go through a 10-day quarantine to avoid contact with local horses and infection by any diseases. The Hong Kong authorities will provide each horse with a single shed. There are five stables, each containing over 50 such sheds. Medical services will be on hand for each stable. Serious cases can be treated at a Hong Kong horse hospital.

The participating horses are usually accompanied and taken care of by their own boys. However, Hong Kong is ready to provide such services if needed.

The horses, if in healthy condition, can conduct training at their respective stables during the quarantine period. In addition, they can take training for another week before participating in the Olympic competition.

Vocabulary :

venue：赛场，比赛地点

quarantine：检疫，隔离（隔离期）

International Equestrian Federation：国际马术协会

urine checkups：尿检

epidemic diseases：流行病，传染病