This response is in reference to a recent article published in the Paulick Report discussing Dr. Stuart Brown’s visit to Puerto Rico and the launch of the Caribbean Racecourse Welfare Group.
Dr. Stuart Brown’s question is an important one. It reflects a willingness to engage, to listen, and to extend expertise where it’s needed. That matters. The involvement of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the broader veterinary community brings credibility, attention, and resources that Puerto Rico has lacked for years.
There is real value in what Dr. Brown and his colleagues are doing. Showing up, listening to local veterinarians, and creating space for collaboration is a necessary first step. The veterinarians on the ground who have been advocating for change for years deserve to be heard, and efforts that amplify their voices should be supported.
I have been working to improve welfare conditions for Thoroughbreds racing in Puerto Rico since 2018, when I joined the board of Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare. Beginning in 2019, I participated in multiple meetings with industry stakeholders to present specific, actionable reforms. These were not theoretical ideas. They were operational recommendations designed for immediate implementation.
These recommendations were presented directly to decision-makers, including the Racing Commissioner at the time, veterinary leadership, owners, and representatives of the Confederación and horsemen’s groups.
At their core, the asks were simple:
That includes InCompass, which is now being discussed as a pathway forward. The Puerto Rico racing industry has had access to this system since at least 2019. Its value is not newly discovered. It was clearly presented years ago.
This is where the involvement of Dr. Brown, the AAEP, and associated groups becomes critically important, not just as collaborators, but as drivers of accountability.
If this effort is going to succeed, it cannot stop at listening sessions or early-stage optimism. It must move quickly into measurable action.
That means asking hard questions:
What specific reforms will be implemented, and by when?
Who is responsible for execution?
How will compliance be monitored and enforced?
What happens if timelines are missed or standards are not met?
Without clear answers, the risk is that this becomes another cycle of discussion without follow-through.
This is the moment to move from conversation to accountability.
These narratives are designed to inspire confidence, but confidence without accountability is misplaced.
🚩 The assertion that Puerto Rico “consistently adheres to ARCI drug policy” is factually incorrect. Puerto Rico operates under its own medication rules, which differ from ARCI standards. These differences are publicly documented and material. See our comparison here.
🚩 Recent events also raise important questions about oversight and accountability. The recall of Hycoat due to microbial contamination, and reports that it may have been used off-label in intra-articular injections, have been linked to multiple horse deaths and dozens more affected. These are not isolated incidents. They point to breakdowns in clinical oversight, decision-making, and regulatory control at a time when the system is being presented as advancing welfare standards.
🚩 The mention that 34 horses have been successfully rehomed on the island in a short period should be evaluated in context. Placement numbers alone do not define successful aftercare. Long-term outcomes do.
The median household income in Puerto Rico is estimated between $24,000 and $27,000, with average income in the mid-$30,000 range. Only about 6.3% of households earn more than $60,000 annually. Against that backdrop, the cost to responsibly care for a Thoroughbred, conservatively estimated at $500 per month, represents a significant financial commitment relative to typical household income.
This does not make responsible ownership impossible. However, when considered alongside the small percentage of households at that income level, it raises reasonable questions about the scale, speed, and vetting of the placements being reported.
None of this negates the importance of what is happening now. Engagement from respected leaders like Dr. Brown and organizations like the AAEP creates an opportunity that should not be wasted.
But opportunity alone does not create change.
Progress in equine welfare is not measured by meetings, working groups, or early momentum. It is measured by implementation, enforcement, and sustained results.
Do not accept messaging as evidence of progress. The only measure that matters is whether meaningful reforms have been implemented, enforced, and sustained.
That is the standard that should guide what happens next