Safety First

The horse comes first in American Steeplechasing

  • American Steeplechasing, governed by the National Steeplechase Association, places the highest priority on the health and well-being of our horses and our human athletes. Racehorse safety is a key component of industry integrity.
  • American Steeplechasing is a relatively small sport, and its owners, trainers, caretakers, and jockey have a close relationship with the horses. They care deeply about their horses and do their very best to protect their interests.
  • Most steeplechase competitors are based in the country, train in the country, and benefit from the country environment.
  • Our race meets are not conducted for profit. Funds are raised to stage the races and to pay race purses, and proceeds are donated to charity. As a whole, race meets raise millions of dollars each year for charity.
  • Autonomous race meets spend thousands of dollars each year on maintenance of their race courses and course improvement. In most cases, the courses are used only once or twice a year.
  • Safety inspections of all race courses are conducted several weeks before each meet, and recommendations are made for short-term and long-term improvements.
  • Some race meets have invested in state-of-the-art irrigation systems to assure suitable race conditions for their meets.
  • American Steeplechasing is a jumping sport, and its National Fences are designed for safety. Our new custom-designed EASYFIX fences are made with the safety of the horse as the top priority.
  • The fences are consistent from meet to meet, and the fence components are under continual review by officials and horsemen for potential improvements. In 2020 we added a set of custom-designed EASYFIX fences to our inventory, developed over several years of study to meet our needs today and well into the future. We are also exploring options for a break-away timber fence, potentially using technology adopted by the international eventing community.
  • All steeplechase stewards and other race officials are focused on the welfare of the horse.
  • Veterinarians conduct examinations of all horses before they race and have the authority to scratch a horse that they do not consider to be ready to run.
  • Steeplechase medication rules are stringent currently only allow the use of veterinarian-administered furosemide on race day. Other policies mimic the standards of the Mid-Atlantic flat racing jurisdictions.
  • The National Steeplechase Association conducts rigorous post-race testing for illegal medications and excessive levels of permitted medications.
  • Jockeys are instructed to ride for safety and to protect the interests of their mounts, other horses, and their fellow jockeys.
  • Jockeys carry humane riding crops and must adhere to industry-prescribed limitations on the use of the riding crop.
  • All race meets are required to have equine ambulances with attending veterinarians on course at all time during the races.
  • Race meets are required to have medical ambulances with trained emergency personnel available at all times during the races.
  • While fatalities may occur, the National Steeplechase Association prioritizes the prevention of such and conducts a full review of all occurrences with the results being focused on prevention and education.
  • The National Steeplechase Association has a Board of Directors-level Stewards Advisory Committee to monitor safety issues and to recommend changes in the rules of racing to promote the safety and welfare of the horse.
  • The National Steeplechase Association’s Steeplechase Safety Committee works to maintain and enhance the highest safety standards to protect the well-being of horses and jockeys. The Steeplechase Safety Committee examines all aspects of NSA racing and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for action intended to increase the sport’s safety. The Steeplechase Safety Committee also conducts ongoing discussions with all participants for safety related improvements.
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