Is horse racing now safe for horses? ask a lawyer

Why: It has been very disturbing to read and hear about the dying of horses and the apparent corruption in the horse racing industry. What efforts are being made to keep horses safe?

Prime Minister, Yorba Linda

a: Unlike other major sports and athletic leagues in our country, such as the National Basketball Association, horse racing does not have a single set of standards and rules. Penalties for rule violations also differ depending on the jurisdiction.

Now, efforts to change the industry are beginning to bear fruit: In late 2020, Congress passed, and the president signed the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, which will take effect on July 1 of this year. Its aim is to establish a uniform national standard for the entire breed of race. Federal enforcement authority would be given to a number of agencies, including a new independent equestrian integrity and safety authority to regulate racing entirely.

Here, in California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed two bills into law in September 2020 that aim to increase safety and transparency in horse racing. California’s rules will be stricter than some of the rules found in federal law. There’s “push back” about the new federal law and there’s no doubt that there will be controversy related to California’s recent changes, so stay tuned. That said, let’s hope, if not hope, that there are notable and needed improvements.