Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners Hosts Discussion on Bush Racing
The Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners (KAEP) will hold a meeting on Tuesday, October 13, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Spy Coast Farm's Equine Education Center in Lexington, Kentucky. Angela Pelzel-McCluskey, DVM, MS, will be the keynote presenter, speaking on bush track racing and its implications for equine health. This event is made possible through the support of the Keeneland Association.
Unsanctioned "bushtrack" racing has occurred in the United States for decades. State and Federal health officials identified bushtrack racing to the widespread transmission of equine infectious anemia (EIA) and equine piroplasmosis (EP). There are 219 bushtracks in 33 states and illegal activities have been documented at these venues.
There is frequent crossover of Quarterhorse racehorses between sanctioned and sanctioned events and between 2008 and May 2026 there were 621 confirmed cases of EP and 674 cases of EIA.
There is often no veterinarian at bushtracks and use of illegal drugs and procedures have impacted these horses. Animal health and increased infectious diseases are causing a true horse welfare impact.
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