May/June 2025 Issue

Page 32 May/June 2025 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN HISA Press Release For the first time in the United States since data has been recorded, the racing-related fatality rate at racetracks subject to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) rules fell below 1.00 per 1,000 starts for a calendar year. In 2024, 99.91% of starts did not result in a fatality. In 2024, 47 race- tracks across 19 states operating under HISA’s rules recorded an aggregate racing-related fatality rate of 0.90 per 1,000 starts, an approximate 27% decrease from the 1.23 rate reported by HISA in 2023 and a 55% decrease from when The Jockey Club’s Equine Injury Database began reporting fatalities in 2009 at a rate of 2.00. “It has never been clearer that Thoroughbred racing has become safer under HISA,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “While we celebrate this prog- ress, HISA remains committed to collaborating with industry stakeholders to further reduce fatalities and to enhance safety for horses, jockeys and all those who love and participate in the sport.” HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program, implemented on July 1, 2022, and its Anti-Doping and Medication Control Pro- gram, implemented on May 22, 2023, have significantly strengthened safety measures nationwide by implementing uniform rules that embody best-practice standards. Key requirements include expanded veterinary protocols, pre-race inspections, laboratory harmo- nization, racetrack surface mon- itoring and uniform medication oversight. HISA also has rolled out new technologies in the last year to assist stakeholders HISAAnnual Report Shows Decline in Racing Fatalities in 2024 (Continued on page 42) Preventing Strangles in Horses Through Diagnostic Testing Key Takeaways Preventing and managing strangles requires isolating infect- ed horses, limiting horse move- ment in and out of the facility, and disinfecting surroundings. Communication with your veterinarian and testing are also essential to detect and control the disease early. These measures are key to reducing the risk of further outbreaks and protecting equine health. For more information on TVMDL’s testing options, visit tvmdl.tamu.edu . (Continued from page 29) Remember...tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian!