US Trotting / Equine Health & Wellness Database
Equine Health & Wellness Database
The health and well-being of the Standardbred horse is everyone's responsibility. The USTA's Equine Health & Wellness Database (EHWD) was created to help the harness racing industry better understand the injuries, illnesses, and health issues that affect our horses both on and off the racetrack.
The more information that is reported, the more we can learn. That information can help identify trends, improve horse care, support future research, and provide valuable insight into the challenges horses face throughout their careers.
Whether you're an owner, trainer, veterinarian, caretaker, racing official, or racetrack employee, your participation helps create a stronger and more complete picture of equine health and welfare across the industry.
What is the Equine Health & Wellness Database?
The Equine Health & Wellness Database is a reporting system available through your USTA My Account that allows horsemen and industry participants to report health and wellness-related incidents involving Standardbred horses.
Many people assume the database is only for race-day accidents, but that's not the case.
The EHWD is designed to collect information on a wide variety of situations, including:
- Racing accidents
- Training-related injuries
- Farm accidents and injuries
- Transportation-related incidents
- Illnesses and diseases
- Pre-existing conditions
- General health and wellness concerns
- Other horse-related incidents
The goal is simple: collect meaningful information that can help the industry better understand and improve the health, safety, and welfare of the Standardbred horse.
Why Industry Participation is Vital
The EHWD is only as valuable as the information that is entered into it.
If only a small number of incidents are reported, the industry is left with an incomplete picture of what's happening to our horses. Without significant data, it becomes more difficult to identify trends, recognize risk factors, and develop solutions that could improve horse welfare.
Every report helps.
A training injury, an illness, a transportation incident, or a wellness concern may seem minor on its own, but when combined with information from horsemen across North America, it can help reveal patterns that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Participation in the EHWD is about helping the industry gather the information needed to make informed decisions and continue improving the care and safety of Standardbred horses. Simply put, the database works only if the industry participates.
How to Use the EHWD
Submitting a report is quick and easy.
| Step 1 | |
|
Log in to your USTA My Account at: myaccount.ustrotting.com | |
| Step 2 | |
| Select the Miscellaneous section from the menu. | |
| Step 3 | |
| Click on the Equine Health & Wellness Database (EHWD) link. | |
| Step 4 | |
| Complete and submit the report. | |
Any USTA member connected to a horse can submit information, including:
- Owners
- Trainers
- Veterinarians
- Caretakers
- Racetrack personnel
- Racing officials
- State employees and regulators
Search Existing Incidents
The EHWD also allows users to search and review incidents that have been entered into the database.
To search for incidents, select one of the following options within the EHWD:
- Incident Search Past X Days - Search incidents entered during a specific timeframe.
- Incident Search by Horse - Search for incidents associated with a particular horse.
- Incident Search by User - Search for incidents submitted by a specific user.
Once you select the desired search option, use the available dropdown menus to refine and complete your search.
Watch our step-by-step tutorial video that demonstrates how to access the EHWD through My Account and submit a report.
Watch the EHWD How-To Video:
Need Help?
If you have questions about the EHWD, need assistance submitting a report, or would like additional information about what should be reported, please review our Frequently Asked Questions document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a USTA MyAccount to submit an incident or search existing incidents?
Yes. A USTA MyAccount is required to submit an incident report or search the database. If you do not already have a MyAccount, you can register for free by clicking here.
Do I have to be a USTA member to submit an incident or search existing incidents?
No. A USTA membership is not required to submit an incident report or search the database. All users, including non-members, must create a free USTA MyAccount to access the system.
What information is required when submitting in an incident report?
An incident report requires the horse's or dam's name and registration number and allows for the reporting of the details of the incident, any injury, illness or disease, the presence of any pre-existing conditions plus any other pertinent information.
Is reporting required under industry rules?
The EHWD reporting concept is consistent with broader industry efforts involving equine welfare, transparency, and data collection standards.
In 2025, the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) amended its Model Rules to require judges to submit accident reports to the USTA in order to maintain a centralized database.
The USTA has also adopted rules and policies supporting the continued development and use of centralized reporting systems involving equine health and safety information.
Therefore, the EHWD should be viewed not solely as a USTA initiative, but as part of broader industry efforts supporting modern equine welfare and racing integrity practices.
How can regulators assist?
- Encouraging participation among licensees
- Assisting with industry awareness efforts
- Reinforcing the importance of data collection
- Supporting cooperative industry-wide participation
- Helping normalize reporting as part of modern equine welfare efforts
You may also contact:
TC Lane
USTA COO & Director of Registry
tc.lane@ustrotting.com
877.800.8782 ext. 3203
Michele Kopiec
USTA Racetrack Operations & Licensing Manager
michele.kopiec@ustrotting.com
877.800.8782 ext. 3294