Columbus, OH – In an effort to help the industry understand and better utilize the Equine Health & Wellness Database, on Monday (July 13), the United States Trotting Association launched a new web page with information and explanations on how to use it.
Industry participation is crucial because equine welfare depends on the meaningful data that only it can provide. The health and well-being of the Standardbred horse is everyone’s responsibility.
The new Equine Health & Wellness Database webpage can be found here.
The Equine Health & Wellness Database was created to be an industry-wide reporting system designed to collect information involving equine injuries, illnesses, diseases, wellness concerns, and related incidents affecting Standardbreds both on and off the racetrack. The system was first announced in June of 2024 and is now fully implemented and operational.
“The value of this database is directly tied to the quality and quantity of information contributed by the industry,” said USTA COO TC Lane. “Every report submitted helps create a clearer picture of the health and well-being of our Standardbred athletes. This is an industry-wide responsibility, and meaningful participation from owners, trainers, veterinarians, racetracks, and other stakeholders is essential to making the database a valuable resource for the future.
“Building a comprehensive database will take time, but the information and resources on this new webpage make participation easier than ever, and our staff is always available to assist,” added Lane.
The new Equine Health & Wellness Database web page offers:
• Explanation of the database
• Description of what information needs to be collected
• Listing of who should submit information
• FAQ
• Information available from the database
• Instructional video on how to use the database
• USTA contact information
The USTA will be ramping up efforts through ustrotting.com, social media platforms, and email to make the industry more aware of the importance of participating in this effort.