Participation will determine the success of the EHWD
Over the last several years, conversations surrounding equine welfare and racing safety have increasingly moved from a general discussion to actual measurable expectations. Regulators, industry organizations, racetracks, horsepeople, veterinarians and the public are all asking similar questions: What information is being collected? What trends are being identified? And how is the racing industry using that information to improve the safety and long-term welfare of our horses?
Those conversations are not unique to harness racing, mind you; it’s a universal inquiry. They take place throughout all segments of horse racing — not just for us, but for the broader equine industry. The expectation today is that every industry, not just horse racing, demonstrates not only a commitment to welfare but also a willingness to support that commitment with meaningful data, transparency and proactive participation. Across every sector of the sport, from racetracks and horsepeople to veterinarians, caretakers, racing officials and regulators, there is broad agreement that the future of the industry depends upon maintaining and strengthening that commitment — a requirement in today’s mandate of social licensing.
Over the years, discussions surrounding equine safety have increasingly centered around one important concept: providing meaningful data. Without reliable information, any industry is left to operate on assumptions, anecdotes and isolated experiences. With reliable information, patterns can be identified, risks can be better understood, and informed decisions can be made that improve outcomes over time. Without such data, it opens the dialogue up to a storyteller’s paradise. Unfortunately, as we have come to know, the storytellers aren’t always on the side of racing.
That understanding was one of the driving forces behind our development of the Equine Health & Wellness Database (EHWD), which was first announced in June 2024. The EHWD was created to provide the harness racing industry with a centralized system for collecting information involving equine injuries, accidents, illnesses, diseases, and any related incidents involving Standardbreds — both on and off the racetrack. The database was intentionally designed to extend beyond racing incidents alone. Information involving training injuries, transportation-related incidents, farm injuries, illnesses, pre-existing conditions, and other health concerns can all contribute to building a broader and more accurate understanding of the challenges affecting our horses. It is a huge ask, but one out of necessity.
The database is now fully implemented and available to industry participants through the USTA’s MyAccount platform. But, as with any data initiative, one reality remains unavoidable: The value of the system depends entirely on your participation.
Nearly two years after the EHWD was first announced, participation levels remain lower than they need to be — dismally low, in fact. From an industry perspective, that should concern all of us.
This is not meant as criticism of any one group or segment of the industry. New systems take time. Participants often have questions about process, purpose and expectations. Some may be uncertain about what should be reported. Others may assume someone else will submit information. Still, others may simply not realize the importance of their individual contribution.
However, if the EHWD is to become the meaningful industry resource it was intended to be, participation levels must improve. The industry has consistently expressed a desire for better information surrounding safety and welfare. The EHWD represents an opportunity to build exactly that type of information base, but it can only succeed if the industry actively supports it.
The reality is straightforward: Incomplete participation creates incomplete data.
The USTA can provide the system and maintain the infrastructure, but the actual value of the EHWD comes from the people working with horses every day.
– TC Lane
When reporting is inconsistent, trends become harder to identify. Potential risk factors become more difficult to evaluate. Opportunities for preventive measures may be missed. The industry’s ability to analyze injuries, illnesses and other health-related concerns becomes significantly more limited.
On the other hand, broader participation creates stronger and more meaningful information. Over time, a robust database can help identify recurring issues, highlight areas requiring additional attention, support future research efforts, and contribute to more informed safety initiatives and welfare discussions.
It is also important for participants to understand that the EHWD is not simply a standalone USTA initiative. The reporting concept is consistent with broader industry efforts surrounding equine welfare and transparency, including model rules advanced through the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI). In other words, this is not just a “USTA rule.” It reflects an industry-wide recognition that meaningful data collection and reporting are important components of modern equine welfare and racing integrity efforts.
Harness racing should not wait for outside entities to define these conversations for us.
As an industry, we should continue demonstrating that we are willing to examine ourselves honestly, gather meaningful information responsibly, and pursue improvements wherever opportunities exist.
As I have continually mentioned, our industry has many positive stories to tell regarding horse care, longevity and welfare. The overwhelming majority of participants care deeply about their horses, and we dedicate enormous time, resources and effort toward their well-being. The EHWD provides an opportunity to support those efforts with meaningful information that can help guide future decisions and strengthen the industry’s ability to advocate for itself.
But, again, that only happens through participation. The USTA can provide the system and maintain the infrastructure, but the actual value of the EHWD comes from the people working with horses every day. That means racetracks, horsepeople, veterinarians, racing officials, trainers, owners, caretakers and regulators all have a role to play.
Racetracks have an important role to play in encouraging participation and supporting the reporting process. Racing officials need to enter such information and also help reinforce the importance of information gathering and industry cooperation. Horsepeople’s organizations can assist in educating members and encouraging participation at the local level. Veterinarians, trainers, owners and caretakers all possess valuable firsthand knowledge that can contribute to building a more thorough and accurate database. Every report contributes to the larger picture and helps to strengthen the industry.
Importantly, participation should not be viewed as a burdensome or adversarial task. The reporting process was designed to be accessible by logging into the USTA MyAccount platform at myaccount.ustrotting.com, allowing participants connected to a horse to contribute information directly. Even relatively small amounts of information can become valuable when consistently collected across a broad population over time.
Every report matters. And the success of the EHWD ultimately depends on whether the industry’s participants are willing to work together to help build it.
Be a part of the solution — not a spectator. It’s everyone’s responsibility.
TC
This column appears in the July 2026 issue of Hoof Beats, the official magazine of the USTA. To learn more, or to become a subscriber to harness racing’s premier monthly publication, click here.