Senate committee clears bill letting nonveterinarians float racehorses' teeth at two Indiana tracks

The Indiana Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday voted to advance House Bill 1490, as amended, to permit licensed nonveterinarian providers to perform limited teeth-floating on racehorses at licensed Indiana racetracks, a step supporters say will ease a shortage of large-animal veterinary services.

The bill, as amended in committee, directs the Indiana Racing Commission to license individuals to float teeth at licensed tracks in Shelbyville and Anderson only; it prohibits the use of sedation and power tools, limits extractions to loose deciduous (baby) teeth and bars work on incisor (front) teeth. The committee removed language that would have allowed equine chiropractic care and stripped a proposed liability-insurance requirement before voting to advance the measure.

The measure was brought by State Representative Matt Baird, the author of House Bill 1490. "The bill defines equine chiropractic care, and it defines teeth floating," Baird told the committee, and said the bill was narrowed to racetracks to reduce disease and transport risk.

Supporters testified that racetracks face practical shortages of large-animal veterinarians able to do routine dental work. "We have a desperate need for dental and chiropractic care for our equine athletes at Horseshoe Indianapolis," said Tim Glashaw, executive director of the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA). Glashaw and other industry witnesses told the committee that Horseshoe Indianapolis may host more than 1,000 horses in season and that the shortage limits timely care on-site.

Veterinarians and veterinary organizations urged caution and backed portions of the amendment intended to add training or certification requirements. "The association is opposed to this bill from the standpoint this is practice of veterinary medicine," said Dr. John Scammerhorn, a practicing veterinarian representing the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Amy Nirotsky of the Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners, who works at the Shelbyville and Anderson tracks, said, "I'm here for the health and safety of the horse, and I want them to get the very best care." Both warned that some aspects of a full oral exam are difficult without sedation and that missteps can harm horses.

Committee discussion centered on how to balance access and animal welfare. The adopted amendment restores a path that had been in the House version: an applicant may qualify by submitting five letters of recommendation from trainers who have personally employed the individual's services. The amendment also preserves other qualification paths: holding a relevant out-of-state license or certification from specified equine dental organizations. Committee counsel confirmed the final language will be rewritten to (1) remove chiropractic references, (2) remove the liability-insurance requirement, (3) reinstate the five-trainer-reference pathway as an alternative qualification, and (4) keep the new limits on which teeth can be floated and on extractions.

Supporters argued owners and trainers of valuable racehorses will vet who performs on their animals. Representative Baird warned that transporting horses off-track for dental care increases disease and injury risk during travel. Veterinarian witnesses acknowledged the transport risk but repeatedly emphasized training, oversight and the limits of nonveterinarian practice.

On a roll call, the committee approved House Bill 1490 as amended, with eight yeas and one excused member. The committee chair said staff will prepare the corrected bill language for the committee record and any future floor consideration.

Votes at a glance House Bill 1490 — As amended in Senate Agriculture Committee Motion: Advance House Bill 1490 as amended Outcome: Approved in committee Tally: 8 yeas, 0 nays, 0 abstain, 1 excused

Why it matters The committee's action responds to an identified shortage of large-animal veterinarians willing or available to provide routine dental care at Indiana racetracks. Proponents said on-site licensing for nonveterinarian technicians will reduce the need to transport horses to off-track facilities, which they said increases risk of disease and transport-related injury. Opponents and several veterinary witnesses said safeguards are necessary to prevent substandard care and to ensure appropriate emergency response if complications occur.

What happens next Committee staff and the bill author agreed to technical edits to the amendment language; sponsors said they will move the corrected text with the committee's changes forward to the full Senate. The underlying bill remains limited to licensed racetracks in Anderson and Shelbyville and retains the multiple qualification pathways for licensure as adopted in committee.