LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Riding a racehorse is no easy feat. Jockeys wear helmets, boots, gloves and goggles, but there is still a chance of injury. 

Norton Sports Health has a clinic onsite at Churchill Downs that helps jockeys get back into shape quickly, if they get hurt. 

“When they fall down, they get a lot of bumps and bruises and fractures. The most concerning is usually a concussion,” said Dr. Victor Kremser, co-medical director of Churchill Downs.

Kremser has been in the role since Sept. 2024, making this his first Derby. 

“I know all the jockeys by name, and everybody involved and our goal at the end of the day is for the jockeys to be healthy,” he said.

The athletes must maintain a certain weight to race, so Norton offers a nutritionist, psychologist, physical exams and a handmade wooden horse.

Its official name is the Equicizer, and it helps jockeys warmup before races or evaluate riding readiness after an injury.

“Every single time, the jockeys step on it and they move around on the horse. It does feel like they’re actually on a racehorse,” Kremser said.

The physician said it’s much safer because it doesn’t come with the risks of a racehorse. 

“Big time injuries do occur when they fall down at 30 miles an hour and then what does the horse do? Does the horse fall on top of them or step on top of them? So that just takes away 99% of the risks that come with riding a horse,” he said.

Kremser and Emergency Medical Services are trackside during live racing to help jockeys in emergencies. 

Norton Sports Health said having the clinic at the track helps get riders back to racing quickly.