By Teresa Genaro
The Horse.com
This year’s Albany Law School Institute on Racing and Gaming Law devoted a full day to matters of equine health, focusing primarily on Thoroughbred retirement and aftercare.
On Aug. 15, veterinarians, horse owners, politicians, equine welfare advocates, racetrack managers, horsemen, and aftercare organization representatives spoke on panels on a variety of welfare issues, including a report prepared by the New York State Task Force on retired horses; certification and inspection of breeding farms, sanctuaries, and rescue centers; recognizing inhumane treatment; and racetrack safety.
Despite the name of the program, which offers continuing legal education credits, the day was short on legalities and long on anecdotes, with representatives from a variety of aftercare organizations describing the services they offer, their successes, and their challenges.
Statement by Adam Trenk, RLG equine law attorney: “As a board member of CANTER AZ ( Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses), the aftercare of retired race horses is an issue near and dear to my heart. I am glad to see that the racing and legal communities are coming together to try to solve the problem of what happens to these magnificent animals when their racing careers sunset. Finding the funds to solve this problem is not going to be easy. However I suspect that economies and tax revenues grow while increasing racetrack profits and subsidizing aftercare for the horses in those states that have adopted responsible ‘Racino’ laws, which allow gaming at the tracks. I am hoping Arizona will move in that direction.”
