by Jeannie MacLeod
Racetrack veterinarian Dr. Jay Baldwin, a familiar figure at tracks in the Mid-Atlantic region, is one of only two dozen horse veterinarians worldwide selected to contribute to the first-ever textbook on equine welfare issues.
The book, titled simply Equine Welfare, is currently on the press and due out in early 2010. Wiley-Blackwell of London, a well known publisher of medical texts, is the publisher.
Although much of Dr. Baldwin’s practice work is at racetracks, his chapter of the new book has nothing to do with horse racing. Instead, it involves his work on health issues of horses living in urban (inner city) areas, such as carriage horses and mounted police horses. Baldwin, who is a certified equine cruelty investigator, has worked as a horse health consultant or enforcement officer for agencies such as the City of New York Health Department, and the States of South Carolina and Maryland.
Baldwin’s practice, First Equine LLC, serves as attending veterinarians at Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway, Freehold Raceway, Ocean Downs, and Harrah’s Chester. Dr. Baldwin also still maintains a select general equine practice for long-time clients. He has worked at other eastern racetracks including harness venues The Meadowlands, Garden State Park and Foxboro; and Thoroughbred tracks like Monmouth Park, Belmont and Aqueduct. In his previous professional career, Dr. Baldwin was an award-winning equine breeding farm veterinarian in New York State’s Hudson Valley, working with famous stallions including Speedy Crown, Noble Victory, No Nukes and Nero.