The Louisiana Horse Racing Board approved new rules on November 17 regarding invalidity claims for transferring ownership of dead horses. These rules are less strict than current regulations but tougher than those initially approved earlier this year. The proposed rule is open for public feedback and is expected to be finalized in 2026.
Under current Louisiana regulations, a claim can be invalidated if a horse dies, is euthanized at the track, is ejected, fails certain post-application tests (like for EIA, EPO, or darbepoetin), bleeds from the nose, or is seen lame by a licensed veterinarian at the racetrack.
The new rules allow claims to be invalid if:
1. The horse dies on the track after the race but before reaching the unsaddling area.
2. The horse suffers an injury after the race, requiring euthanasia as determined by the referring veterinarian before or within the unsaddling area.
3. The horse shows severe non-weight-bearing lameness after the race but before or during unsaddling, at the discretion of the referring veterinarian.
These updated rules go further than the April version, which only invalidated claims if the horse was declared a non-runner, but they are still less protective than existing regulations that involve veterinarian certification. Moreover, they fall short of the standards set by the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), which Louisiana is not regulated by due to ongoing legal issues.
Tom Amos, a top trainer at the New Orleans Fairgrounds, criticized the new rules, saying they force trainers to run horses at risk of injury to protect owners’ financial interests. Although he has reservations about HISA, Amos argues that HISA’s regulations better protect horse welfare. He considers the rollback on claim protections a step backward and a disservice to trainers striving for the best care for their horses.
Under HISA rules, a claim is void if:
1. The horse dies or is euthanized.
2. The horse is removed from the transport truck or listed by a vet for nosebleeds, poor health, or lameness.
3. The regulating veterinarian observes the horse post-race for about 30 minutes to assess for health concerns like epistaxis or lameness.
Amos emphasizes the importance of vets observing horses during cooldown to spot issues like condylar fractures, which can worsen after a race.
In April, when the commission initially approved rules invalidating claims only if the horse was a non-runner, the proposal was published for public comment. Amos, along with the Louisiana HBPA, opposed the rule, warning it could lead to more catastrophic injuries in Louisiana.
The American Horse Association and the Jockey Club Thoroughbred Safety Committee also cautioned the commission that the proposed rule would reverse safety gains achieved nationally through nullity claims rules now part of HISA’s standards. Data from the Equine Injury Database shows that invalidation rules decrease fatal injuries in racehorses, while loosening them increases risk.
The new rules will follow the same public comment procedure, with a final vote expected after the rule text is published in the Louisiana Register in January 2026. The rules would likely take effect in March 2026.
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Fan Take: This news is crucial for horse racing fans because it highlights ongoing tension between industry economics and horse welfare. While aiming to protect owners, loosening invalidity claim rules risks endangering horses, signaling a troubling shift away from safety advancements that could affect the sport’s integrity and public support.
