HISA issues advisory on horses on vets’ lists

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has released a new Equine Health Advisory on the risk of fatal injury in covered horses previously placed on the veterinarians’ list as being unsound. The advisory, which is based on data drawn from the HISA vets’ list, provides practical guidance, including on the use of wearable biometric sensors during training programs to provide additional insight into horses’ condition and performance.

When horses are scratched, they may be placed on the veterinarians’ list or stewards’ list. In 2025, 3,297 unique horses were placed on the vets’ list as unsound by regulatory veterinarians at covered racetracks, which include those in Maryland. As of March 31, 2026, 1,904 of those horses (nearly 60%) have not made a subsequent start.

Decisions to place a horse on the veterinarians’ list as unsound are made with the utmost care and expertise by regulatory veterinarians, and it is crucial that they are supported in their work with as much data as possible, along with strong collaboration with trainers and attending veterinarians,” said Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, HISA Director of Policy and Industry Initiatives.

Through the end of the first quarter of 2026, approximately 20% of racing- and training-related fatalities involving covered horses at covered racetracks have occurred in horses who were either still on the vets’ list as unsound at the time of death, had been scratched by regulatory veterinarians prior to a recent race or removed from the vets’ list as unsound within the six months preceding the fatal injury.

‍