Continued improvement in regard to equine health and welfare is closely tied to major cultural changes in horse racing, panelists suggested Aug. 12 at the Saratoga Institute on Racing & Gaming Law in Saratoga Springs, New York.

The two-day conference is focusing on issues related to horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering as well as the expansion of casino-style gambling in New York.

Scott Palmer, VMD, Dipl. ABVP, equine medical director for the New York State Gaming Commission, outlined regulatory issues involving equine welfare, which includes proper housing, health care, and humane euthanasia. The process is impacted by the animal rights' lobby, he noted.

"A lot of this is about the definitions and who is making the definitions," Palmer said. "It's very difficult to regulate a cultural change

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