Responsibilities of Veterinary Officials at Racetracks

Areas of Responsibility

Veterinary medicine has three distinct and separate areas of responsibility at racetracks: (a) the racing commission (or board) is responsible for control and regulation of racing within the state, (b) the racing association is responsible for operation of the racetrack, and (c) the horse owners and trainers. All officials and all veterinarians in any way connected with racing should be licensed by both the veterinary board and racing commission in the state in which the racetrack is located. Some states elect to combine the responsibilities of the commission veterinarian and the association veterinarian.

The Commission Veterinarian

The commission (or board) veterinarian, sometimes referred to as the state veterinarian, is usually appointed by the state racing commission. This person serves as professional advisor and consultant to the state racing commission on veterinary matters including all regulatory aspects of the application and practice of veterinary medicine at the track.

The Association Veterinarian

The association veterinarian, sometimes referred to as the track veterinarian, is employed by the racing association and serves as a professional advisor and a consultant to the racing association and its operational staff at the track.

Practicing Veterinarians

Private practitioners are employed by owners and trainers on an individual case or contract basis.

Pre-Race Inspection

An important duty for regulatory (commission or association) veterinarians is the pre-race inspection of all horses scheduled to race. This inspection is performed to determine, in the veterinarian’s professional opinion, whether a horse is able to compete.

A suggested pre-race inspection should include:

proper identification of each horse;
pre-race observation of each horse in motion;
manual palpation when indicated;
close observation in the paddock and saddling area, during the parade to post, at the starting gate, during and after the race and any other inspection deemed necessary.

Following inspection, regulatory veterinarians will recommend to the stewards or judges the scratching of any horse that, in their opinion, is physically unfit to race. The AAEP recognizes that pre-race inspection cannot prevent all racing injuries nor can it detect all pre-existing conditions. The primary responsibility for the condition of the horses entered to race rests with the trainer.

Emergency Care

The track or, in some states, the commission veterinarian is responsible for immediate evaluation of horses injured in the paddock, the post parade or in the starting gate. In addition these individuals are responsible for providing emergency care for animals acutely injured or exhibiting distress during or following a race. Emergency treatment is followed by transfer of the horse to the care of a private practitioner.

General Care of a Horse that Collapses at the Racetrack

General Care of a Horse with a Life-Threatening Injury

Other Duties

The official veterinarians are also responsible for taking steps necessary to require compliance with state and track requirements concerning communicable disease control. The collection of samples for drug testing purposes is usually accomplished under the direction of the commission veterinarian. Official veterinarians also monitor general sanitation and safety of animals, insect control and inhumane acts against horses, including neglect in feeding, watering and care.

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