AAEP Guide: Transitioning the Retired Racehorse
These guidelines outline some common health issues and offer opinions based on the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Racing Committee’s collective expertise and experience. Based on their professional experience, most veterinarians will have a personal perspective regarding which medical conditions are consistent with various career endeavors. Presently there are minimal scientific data on which to base these prognostic decisions, therefore the thoughts and recommendations found here are largely based on professional veterinary opinion. As improved documentation of injury rehabilitation becomes available, more accurate prognostic decisions will be possible.
In order to gather data that can be useful for future prognostications, an evaluation form with standardized diagnostic terminology has been created. This form will be distributed to aftercare facilities with the idea that the information can be used for research that will assist veterinarians in making more accurate recommendations for future use.