Senate committee narrows House Bill 1490 to allow nonveterinary teeth floating at two tracks; votes to advance

The Indiana Senate Agriculture Committee on a voice and roll call vote adopted an amended version of House Bill 1490 that would allow licensed nonveterinary practitioners to perform teeth floating for racehorses at licensed racetracks in Shelbyville and Anderson.

Supporters said the change aims to address a shortage of large-animal veterinarians who provide dental care at tracks, while supporters and veterinarians sought guardrails to protect horse health. The committee removed language allowing equine chiropractic care from the bill, struck a proposed liability-insurance requirement, and restored a pathway to licensure based on five letters of recommendation from trainers; it kept alternatives allowing an out‑of‑state license or specified industry certifications as options. The committee voted to advance the bill with eight yeas and one excused vote.

The bill as amended limits permitted services to licensed horse racetracks in Indiana and maintains prohibitions in the measure against administering sedative drugs and using powered dental tools. The amendment also clarifies that floating incisor teeth is restricted and that extractions are limited to loose deciduous (baby) teeth.

Repres…