Letters to the Editor: THA Calls for Changes to HISA

The safety and welfare of our horses and the integrity of Thoroughbred racing are values we all share. Our horsemen have always supported reasonable, science-based regulation that protects equine athletes, maintains public confidence, and allows our sport to remain economically viable for the thousands of small businesses that sustain it. We recognize that since the enactment of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, serious concerns have persisted regarding its structure, expense, and practical impact on horsemen, veterinarians, and racetrack operations. These concerns are not theoretical—they are being experienced daily by the people who care for horses and keep this industry functioning. We hear those concerns, which is why we have chosen to engage with HISA for improvement rather than challenge its existence. The constitutionality of HISA will be decided ultimately by the federal courts. HISA and the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit are funded entirely by industry participants. From its launch through the end of 2025, the Thoroughbred industry paid more than $168 million in new regulatory assessments. Consequently, horsemen and racetracks are rightly asking whether the current framework is delivering results commensurate with its cost. We welcome HISA's goal of reducing assessments by 50% by 2030 and eliminating them entirely by 2035, but the economic challenges facing our industry require that we continue to strongly advocate for accelerated cost reduction. No racetrack should have to reduce days, purses, or close entirely because of the financial burden of HISA and HIWU. As you should know from our message last December, we have been working collaboratively with HISA to address fundamental flaws in the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program—particularly those that inhibit fair due process, misclassify substances that do not present a meaningful risk to equine welfare or racing integrity, and impose penalties that are disproportionate and, in some cases, irreparably harmful to livelihoods. We recognize the need for vigilance and uniformity in regulation. But discipline must be proportional to the circumstances of each case, grounded in science, but reflective of common sense and the real-world conditions under which horses are cared for. HISA and HIWU need to be practical and exercise common sense. A key early focus of our engagement with HISA was addressing the treatment of drugs associated with human substance abuse, which carry a substantial likelihood of environmental contamination. We strongly urged that these substances be separately classified and penalized accordingly, and that the practice of automatic provisional suspensions be eliminated, except in truly egregious cases presenting an immediate risk to equine welfare or racing integrity. As a result of these efforts, HISA agreed to recommend rule modifications to the Federal Trade Commission that: Eliminate provisional suspensions in all banned substances cases, except in egregious cases presenting a genuine and immediate threat to horse safety and/or the integrity of racing. Limit penalties in human substance abuse cases to a maximum of 60 days where the accused horseman can demonstrate that contamination was more likely than not, in which case the penalty can be substantially reduced. Change the standard for the evaluation of cases involving human substance abuse drugs to whether it is more likely than not that the presence of the drug was the result of contamination. Reduce suspensions of horses. Allow owners hearings in potential horse suspension cases. Reclassify certain drugs that were on the banned substances. Establish a science-based screening limit for metformin. Establish a "case circumstances" requirement that will allow HIWU to exercise discretion in adjudicating and resolving cases, to ensure sanctions deter misconduct without destroying careers, and that objective standards guide such exercise of discretion. That said, much remains to be done, and we want you to know that we continue to zealously work to address the concerns we hear. 2026 is a pivotal year in this process as the three-year exemption from the Lasix ban that states applied for and received in 2023 expires this coming May. The HISA board is faced with a critical decision on this issue that could have a massive impact on horsemen, our equine athletes, and our racetracks. We expect to be fully engaged on your behalf. Veterinarians and horsemen continue to express concerns that certain HISA rules limit their ability to provide individualized, responsible care. We hear those concerns and will continue to advocate for further reforms that are in the best interests of the health and welfare of the horse while recognizing HISA's mission. Since HISA's inception, we have been clear that the most effective path forward for horsemen and the industry is sustained engagement to fix what is broken. While some have criticized this approach as insufficiently adversarial, nothing could be further from the truth. Effecting real change is often difficult and time-consuming, but it requires persistence, credibility, and constant advocacy. We also wish to acknowledge and thank the many horsemen and organizations who have recognized our sustained efforts. We remain engaged with HISA on a regular basis and can assure horsemen that their concerns are being heard. Our objective has never been to defend the status quo, but to push for reforms that make the system fairer, more practical, and more effective while protecting both our horses and the people who care for them. We will continue to keep horsemen informed as these efforts progress and remain committed to pursuing reforms that are constitutional, transparent, science-based, and sustainable. Our goal is straightforward: a safer sport that remains viable for the horsemen who make it possible. Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association Open letter