Penn National Gaming Inc., the parent company of Penn National Race Course and five other pari-mutuel racing facilities, announced on Tuesday three initiatives designed to improve the health and safety of its horses.

The initiatives echo ones recently recommended by the Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Safety Committee.

“Penn National Gaming endorses and embraces the Jockey Club Thoroughbred Safety Committee’s recommendations, which are sound steps toward ensuring the health and welfare of our equine participants,” Chris McErlean, Penn National Gaming’s vice president of racing, said in a press release.

Effective on October 1, all Thoroughbreds racing or training at Penn National facilities will not be permitted to use toe grabs larger than two millimeters in height. With the decision, Penn National joined the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in adopting the new standard. The Kentucky commission approved the new toe-grab regulations on Monday.

Additionally, Penn National offered its racetracks as training grounds for new, safer riding crops. On June 17, the Jockey Club recommended that whips with shock-absorbing characteristics be used.

Penn National Gaming also endorsed the Jockey Club’s call to adopt the Association of Racing Commissioners International model rule on androgenic anabolic steroids.

Penn National, however, advocated “a practical and thoughtful approach to the limited use of all medications on equines for racing and training purposes.”

The organization also stated “the adoption of consistent rules and regulations related to medication, withdrawal times, testing thresholds, combined with enhanced testing procedures and facilities should be the overriding goal of all participants in our industry.”