University to study safety practices at horse farms

A University of Kentucky professor has received a $1.4 million grant to conduct a multiyear study of health and safety practices of the Thoroughbred industry.

Jennifer Swanberg, a professor of social work and executive director of the Institute for Workplace Innovation at the university, received the funding for the Thoroughbred Worker Health and Safety Study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Swanberg said the study is designed to find ways to improve horse farm safety and provide resources free to horse farms.

Windfields Farm head Scott Mallory hopes the project will lead to education and safety reforms in the industry as well as serve as a resource to get farms the assistance they need.