The Bureau of Horse Racing Integrity and Security introduced Monday the beginning of a complete evaluate geared toward updating veterinarian and decide checklist classes throughout U.S. Thoroughbred racing, with modifications focused for 2026. By this initiative, HISA goals to modernize and harmonize these oversight instruments and supply additional perception into nationwide safety indicators.
Beginning in 2026, HISA will conduct an in depth audit of present veterinarian lists and associated decide checklist classes throughout racetracks, state horse racing commissions, and HISA rules. As a part of this course of, HISA will distribute a complete survey to regulated veterinarians and directors in early 2026 and can conduct face-to-face interviews with these entities to collect details about present practices. The responses collected can be used to doc the scope of veterinarian itemizing practices and determine areas the place variations exist between jurisdictions.
As soon as the knowledge gathering section is full, HISA conducts an inner evaluation of the findings to determine patterns, gaps, and areas that want updating. Following this evaluate, HISA will work with an advisory group to guage potential approaches to future Veterinarian Checklist and Steward Checklist classes. This course of consists of session with a variety of stakeholders, together with homeowners, trainers, racing places of work, veterinarians and different trade stakeholders. Enter from these organizations will assist develop a system that’s sensible, truthful, and in step with the trade’s dedication to equine welfare.
“The present construction of the Veterinarian Checklist and associated Steward Checklist is predicated on legacy classes created a long time in the past, varies extensively by state and racetrack, and in some circumstances is now not match for objective within the fashionable nationwide horse racing atmosphere,” stated Dr. Jennifer Durrenberger, Director of Equine Security and Welfare at HISA. “We’re excited to launch this initiative to carry readability, consistency, and equity to a system that impacts horses, veterinarians, trainers, and homeowners alike. As with different HISA initiatives, our purpose is to offer applicable safety for horses recognized as being at excessive danger of harm, whereas selling fairness for all stakeholders and rising transparency in nationwide security metrics.”
On the conclusion of this venture, HISA will share its findings with the general public and description a collection of modernized veterinarian checklist and administrator checklist classes.
