AQHA Position Statement

The California Horse Racing Board released an advisory on October 3 regarding the euthanization of racing American Quarter Horses following positive tests for Equine Infectious Anemia. Each of the seven horses euthanized at Los Alamitos between September 24 and October 3 came from one training barn, and federal and state authorities are currently overseeing the situation and monitoring the ongoing investigation.

The American Quarter Horse Association is committed to protecting the welfare of the American Quarter Horse on and off the racetrack.

As part of this endeavor, the Association strongly supports actions from sanctioned racing groups and other authorities that protect the health and welfare of the American Quarter Horse at racing events. AQHA works closely with racing authorities to uphold the highest standards of welfare and safety and supports all measures to protect both the horse and the industry from isolated actions that do not uphold the highest standards of protection for the horse and for the industry.

AQHA condemns inhumane treatment of the American Quarter Horse and actions that violate the Association’s mission statement and rules that govern the membership.

AQHA is dedicated to adhering to the Association’s mission statement, which in part ensures the American Quarter Horse is treated humanely, with dignity, respect and compassion at all times.

Please use the Equine Disease Communication Center resource for more information.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA Racing on X and on Instagram, "like" Q-Racing on Facebook, and visit www.aqha.com/racing.