Members of the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council have unanimously funded two equine research projects — one to monitor gene doping and the other to identify at-risk horses through movement analysis — during their meeting on October 21.
EDRC members have enthusiastically supported both projects, although concerns have been raised regarding the cost of approximately $150,000 for new instruments related to the project by Dr. Scott Stanley and Dr. Cecily Wood “Addressing emerging threats to the Kentucky racing industry by developing a horse gene doping program.” One member noted that such equipment will be used by the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Horse Research Center keep.
Equipment leasing doesn’t save a significant amount of money, Stanley says, as leases often require a multi-year commitment.
Stanley even more agreed to the standards to continue to support the project.
The EDRC also advanced funding for the project, “Identifying Racehorses in Risk of Injury Through Analysis of Motion Sensor Data Collected During Training and Racing,” by Dr. Warwick Bayly and Dr. Dr. David Lambert.
Bayly and Lambert said they support a non-disclosure agreement regarding their findings regarding specific horses, in addition to sharing information with others participating in the study, such as Veterinarians. An NDA is consistent with their existing view that to defend these findings, they said, they should be treated like a veterinary or medical record.
The EDRC recommendation is now put before the full Kentucky Equestrian Commission for support late last month before lawmakers give potential approval early next year.
