Equine Health and Safety

The Commission’s Office of Equine Medicine’s Race Risk Management Program serves as a national model for equine health and safety. The Office also supports research at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine to identify horses at increased risk for catastrophic injury. The Commission, in consultation with Equine Medical Director Dr. Scott E. Palmer, continually evaluates rules and procedures to ensure that horses, riders, and drivers are protected. 

The Commission’s medication rules include the number of hours “out” (before race day) commonly used equine medicines may be administered. The only allowable medication on race day is furosemide, and to horses properly enrolled in a furosemide medication program.

Trainers and/or veterinarians must record corticosteroid injections administered to horses in the Equine Steroid Administration Log (ESAL) within 48 hours of treatment, including the horses’ name, injection location, and date cleared to race. 

Login to ESAL

New York’s Equine Drug Testing Program (EDTP) for harness racing is performed by Morrisville State College in Morrisville, New York, under contract with the New York State Gaming Commission. (PML 902) Thoroughbred drug testing is managed by the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU), the enforcement agency of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. 

The process:

• From the gathering of the original blood and urine samples that are collected in the presence of the owner, trainer or representative, throughout transport and subsequent testing, the chain of custody is strictly maintained by Gaming Commission personnel. This is necessary as blood and urine samples may be evidence in future litigation.
• All sample containers are identified and sealed against tampering upon collection. All samples are identified with unique numbers and EDTP personnel do not know the identity of the horse involved.
• Under Commission procedures, when the EDTP detects and confirms the presence of a prohibited substance, the laboratory immediately informs the Commission’s Director of Horse Racing and its Counsel. Immediately thereafter, the Director of Horse Racing informs the steward or presiding judge at the racetrack where the horse's sample originated, along with other appropriate Commission personnel.
• An investigation into the matter is begun after the horse and its trainer are identified by the steward or presiding judge.
• The sample identifying numbers are matched by the steward or presiding judge to his/her previously locked documentation of collected samples. After identification, investigation into the circumstances including interviews with all involved parties begins. The trainer is afforded the option of having a "split" sample of the original tested at an approved laboratory of his/her choice at his/her expense. After the investigation is completed and all other information is gathered and studied, the licensee if appropriate, is assessed a penalty from the State steward or presiding judge.
• Should the licensee not agree with the penalty given, there is an appeals process that affords the licensee a full hearing before a Commission-appointed hearing officer. Upon receipt of the hearing officer's completed report, the Commission members render a decision.

The Commission maintains a database of all horses on the grounds of any New York State-based racetrack that are involved in an incident, suffer an injury, break down or die since 2009. The Commission employs the following categorization for any such incident:

• Racing: Occurs during a race on the grounds of a licensed or franchised race track and includes any horse that dies or is euthanized as a direct result of injuries sustained from the time the horse leaves the Assembly Barn or Paddock to after the race, if such fatality occurs within 72 hours of the finish of such race. A fatality occurring 72 hours after a race is also classified as a "racing" fatality if the State's Equine Medical Director determines the fatality is a direct result of an injury sustained during the most recent race, regardless of time.
• Training: Occurs while training (breezing or galloping during training hours) on the grounds of a licensed or franchised race track.
• Other: Occurs apart from either racing or training. For instance: death due to colic or respiratory infection, chronic lameness such as laminitis or traumatic injury occurring in a stall or while being walked in a stable area.

The New York State Gaming Commission takes reasonable measures to ensure that the data and information on the website and database is accurate and current. However, the Commission makes no express or implied warranty regarding this information or data and expressly disclaims all legal liability and responsibility to persons or entities who use or access this website and its content.

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