Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
In March 2019, a series of horse fatalities prompted Californian authorities to halt racing activities at Santa Anita Park just days before one of the most anticipated events on its stakes schedule. Following nearly a month-long suspension, the racetrack, a regular host of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, reopened with stringent measures in place.
Among the reforms were updated medication protocols, limitations on jockey whip usage, and the incorporation of advanced imaging technologies for early injury detection. These collective initiatives have led to a significant 50 per cent decrease in equine fatalities since 2019.
TTR AusNZ spoke with Dr Jeff Blea, equine medical director of the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) about the pivotal shift within the industry following the sobering events of 2019.
“What happened in 2019 was a pretty visceral realisation to horse racing and the industry in California that we have to change, otherwise we will no longer exist. This prompted the enactment of various reforms focused on enhancing welfare and safety, involving all stakeholders from trainers and owners to veterinarians and track management.
“What happened in 2019 was a pretty visceral realisation to horse racing and the industry in California that we have to change, otherwise we will no longer exist.” - Dr Jeff Blea
“Medication rules, joint injections, diagnostic imaging and increased veterinary exams came to the forefront. The goal was to put the veterinarian back into the equation.”
Prevention and early intervention key
A crucial reform was empowering regulatory veterinarians to request diagnostic imaging for examined horses. This preventative approach aimed to catch injuries early, preventing them from escalating into something more tragic. The effectiveness of these reforms is clear: there has been a significant decline in racing and training fatalities, with a reported one-third reduction in equine fatalities at California racetracks due to musculoskeletal injuries in the financial year 2022-23.
“We have a nuclear scintigraphy Gamma camera, a standing MRI machine and a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner on the back side of Santa Anita. All practising vets also have access to ultrasound machines for soft tissue or digital radiography equipment.
“It is now state law that regulatory vets have the authority to request diagnostic imaging from the trainer or the attending veterinarian and the owners are responsible for paying those costs.
“It is now state law that regulatory vets have the authority to request diagnostic imaging from the trainer or the attending veterinarian and the owners are responsible for paying those costs.” - Dr Jeff Blea
The introduction of cutting-edge diagnostic equipment, including nuclear scintigraphy, MRI, and PET scans, has transformed injury detection and prevention in California. These tools have enabled rapid improvements in fatality and injury rates. Dr Blea credits diagnostic imaging and continuous learning for these advancements.
“While it’s not cheap, diagnostic imaging has helped accomplish two things: reducing fatalities and preventing musculoskeletal injuries.
“While it’s not cheap, diagnostic imaging has helped accomplish two things: reducing fatalities and preventing musculoskeletal injuries.” - Dr Jeff Blea
“In our post-mortem program, we've learned about pre-existing injuries and how they change over time. We started with traditional radiography and moved to digital imaging, which improved our ability to diagnose and prevent issues. Nuclear scintigraphy has also been helpful, especially for internal stress fractures and fractures in areas like the scapula, tibia, and pelvis. Now, with MRI and PET scans, we've learned that even subtle issues previously thought to be minor can actually be problematic.
“Now, with scintigraphy or similar procedures, the injury is clearly visible, making it evident when a horse needs time off. This clarity ensures that all parties are more agreeable to giving the horse the necessary rest. Additionally, when the horse is ready to return to work, another scan can confirm that it has fully healed,” emphasised Dr Blea.
A local leader
Locally, while Australia has one of the lowest racetrack fatality rates in the world, this isn’t an excuse to rest on our laurels. Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) and Racing Victoria (RV) have each implemented rebate schemes to encourage the use of advanced diagnostic imaging to investigate and prevent musculoskeletal conditions in thoroughbreds. While the uptake continues to surge, RWWA Head of Veterinary Services Dr Judith Medd explains the cascade of positive effects as a result of the program which commenced in February 2022 under a trial arrangement.
While the uptake was slow to begin with, the program - which offers a 50 per cent rebate on advanced diagnostic imaging up to $1,500 - has grown to be hugely successful.
Two horses working on Ascot racecourse, WA | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“Up until the end of July 2022 we had rebated nine thoroughbred procedures. From August 1, 2022 to the end of July 2023 we rebated 46 thoroughbred procedures and as for this racing season to date we have already rebated 50 thoroughbred procedures.
Although 15,000 kilometres from Santa Anita, the outcomes of Western Australia’s scheme mirror those seen in California, particularly in the early identification of injuries that might have otherwise gone unnoticed and providing more definitive timelines for trainers, owners, and vets.
“Horses with minor lameness that might have been overlooked are now being scanned, revealing issues like stress fractures in the upper limb. This early detection allows us to give the horse a break before the condition becomes catastrophic. It's all about early intervention and preventing minor fractures from becoming serious ones, noted Dr Medd .
“Horses with minor lameness that might have been overlooked are now being scanned, revealing issues like stress fractures in the upper limb... It's all about early intervention and preventing minor fractures from becoming serious ones.” - Dr Judith Medd
"Not only do we rebate the procedure, but it also provides valuable information. In the past, if a horse was lame and had an upper limb lameness that couldn't be identified by vets, trainers, vets, and owners had to make decisions without concrete evidence. They might suggest resting the horse for four to six months without being able to prove the necessity, leading to doubts from owners,” Dr Medd elaborated.
Improving the culture
While it hasn’t been easy, Dr Blea highlighted the industry's positive response to these changes, emphasising a cultural shift towards prioritising safety and welfare.
“We just got approval for a new CHRB rule that will go into effect on July 1. Any intra-articular corticosteroid that's administered into a high motion joint, which we define as front fetlock, hind fetlock, or knee will require diagnostic imaging to be documented within seven days preceding the treatment.
“As an example of the positive response, I sent out an email to all trainers and veterinarians in California advising them of the new rule going into effect on July 1, and I haven't received a single complaint.
“There are a lot of rules, and it was a major sea change, but out of 2019 came a tremendous cultural shift in California where safety and welfare became the number one priority. The change was hard because it was new, but we're starting to see the effects filter across the country,” Dr Blea emphasised.
“There are a lot of rules, and it was a major sea change, but out of 2019 came a tremendous cultural shift in California where safety and welfare became the number one priority.” Dr Jeff Blea
In Western Australia, Dr Medd noted that the scheme has improved the relationships between trainers, owners, veterinarians, and racing regulators, ultimately enhancing equine welfare outcomes.
“As part of the scheme, we request all scans and related information be sent to RWWA to understand what is happening. This enables us to have conversations with the trainer and possibly the referring vet.
“As part of the scheme (advanced diagnostic imaging rebates), we request all scans and related information be sent to RWWA to understand what is happening. This enables us to have conversations with the trainer and possibly the referring vet.” Dr Judith Medd
“If the horse needs a spell, we'll put an embargo on the horse in our system so that when it returns, it needs a clearance from the trainer's vet. If the trainer's vet then requests another scintigraphy scan to ensure the stress fracture is healed, we’ll rebate 50 per cent of that procedure as well.”
Traditionally, regulatory intervention might have elicited negative reactions from industry participants. However, this evolving relationship prioritises deepening our understanding of our equine athletes and, above all, safeguarding their welfare. By doing so, we do what’s right by the horse and also address one of our most pressing challenges: public perception.
