In the wake of a New York Times article and an NBC Nightly News segment focused on injuries and medications in the horse racing industry, Larry Bramlage, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, who served as the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) On-Call veterinarian for this year’s Triple Crown races, has issued a statement on the topic.

Bramlage released his statement through Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, in Lexington, Ky., where he serves as the chief orthopedic surgeon.

According to the statement’s introduction, released July 13, "The Times alleges that ‘powerful painkillers’ were given to the horse, and that X rays taken of the colt’s joints prior to his withdrawal indicate a much more severe problem. The author also alleges that the practice of running horses with high doses of drugs to overcome painful injuries is common practice in Thoroughbred racing."

Bramlage–a member of the Jockey Club, and past president of the AAEP and the American College of Veterinary Surgeons–subsequently provided an interview to NBC news anchor Brian Williams "in an attempt to more accurately inform the public about health and safety practices in racing