The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is poised to usher in the new year with a significant regulatory change that could revolutionize the safety and welfare of equine athletes in the sport. As per the proposed amendment, the stand-down period for horses that have undergone intra-articular corticosteroid injections in their fetlocks may be lengthened, transitioning from the current 14-day duration to an extended 30-day period before they are deemed eligible to participate in a race.

Lisa Lazarus, the CEO of HISA, regards this modification as an essential element within the overhauled regulations aimed at improving racetrack safety. These suggested adjustments have been formally presented to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for their evaluation, and it is anticipated that the review process will span approximately two to three months. In the event of FTC approval, the new equestrian regulation is poised to swiftly transition into a national standard.

Prior safety measures and California?s precedent

Before the advent of the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) regulations, the state of California had taken proactive measures by enacting a preexisting rule that explicitly prohibited the practice of administering steroid fetlock injections within a defined 30-day period immediately preceding a horse race. This prior regulation in California serves as an indicator of the importance placed on ensuring the health and well-being of equine athletes. HISA’s proposed extension from 14 to 30 days aligns with this existing California rule, strengthening the commitment to safeguarding horses in horseracing.

Lisa Lazarus emphasized, “The FTC considers requests carefully and does its research, and there are a lot of other changes we submitted. So, it will probably take two to three months. On HISA’s end, we have sent the proposed rule to the FTC for final approval.” The diligence of the FTC in scrutinizing these changes reflects the gravity of the decision and the significant impact it may have on the industry.

Upholding equine welfare in equestrian sports

The move to extend the stand-down period from 14 to 30 days for fetlock injections is seen as a commendable initiative to safeguard the well-being of horses participating in horseracing. Lisa Lazarus, the CEO of HISA, voiced her support for the change, describing it as “absolutely the right approach.” Prolonging the interval between an intra-articular corticosteroid injection and a horse’s subsequent race holds the potential to significantly diminish injury risks, thereby guaranteeing that equine athletes are in peak physical condition for their competitive endeavors.

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It’s imperative to underscore that while the adjustment in the downtime period for corticosteroid injections is underway, other treatments like interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein blood therapies and platelet-rich plasma treatments will maintain their established 14-day threshold. This distinction highlights the meticulous and balanced approach to medication regulation in horseracing, steadfastly upholding the paramount concern for the well-being and safety of these remarkable animals.

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