Thoughts on banning Lasix?

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Thoughts on banning Lasix?

barnfrog · Advanced

I think it should be banned across the board in all states, not just a few (ie it was in MD). They seem to need it now because it is partially genetic. Because it is used there is now several generations of bleeders bred into horses which would not have won withouts its use (and would likely would have not otherwise). Since the injury from bleeders is progressive with each episode, it is problematic.

Jackie Cochran · Advanced

Before he was scratched from the Belmont I saw an article on how I'll Have Another was using those "Breathe Right" nasal strips INSTEAD OF lasix, but that New York State racing authorities did not allow the nasal strips.

Is it that the lung tissue is weak or is it that our TBs are taking such deep breaths that a vacuum is formed when the nostrils cannot let air in fast enough? Centuries ago some horse cultures would slit their horse's nostrils so that the horses could open them further when they ran and get more air into their lungs.

Queenrider · Advanced

All drugs should be banned.
There was the Kentucky Derby winner who was found to have Lasix in his blood and he was disqualified. Now of course it is allowed.Current research says that the bleeding happens deep in the lungs. More research needs to be done rather than just giving drugs. Better breeding practices need to happen. If a TB breaks down in a race and/or race training they may end up up breeding it and so we have current TBs with toothpick cannon bones for example. I know that Woodbine keeps records of catastrophic injuries and an autopsy is sometimes required but this is not public knowledge and the breeders never get to find out the results.

spirithorse · Advanced

EIPH was found to be caused by lack of air pressure in the lungs.
Compressed throat latches of race horses with their heads not in the natural running position and being pumped, reduces the air flow. Horses running at speed in the wild place their head/necks so that a ramair induction occurs.
Of course no one is going to be able to tell exercise riders, jockeys and trainers anything......

barnfrog · Advanced

I agree, all drugs should be banned for athletes.

I have never seen a race horse with a compressed throat latch except when they are pulling up, and bleeding occurs from scaring in the lungs.

It is the breeding of bleeders which imho is problematic (like hip displysia in dogs) for the future generations.

And I don't understand about a horse being disqualified in KY because it is legal there (only in MD was it not).

THere are many types of exercise induced problems, my (ice skating) daughters was cold induced. But with horse it imho has a lot to do with levels of fitness. (Isn't ram-air for engines, torque in exhaust?)
A good discussion of it is at: http://businessofracing.blogspot.com/2011/06/science-of-lasix-view-from-summit.html

The use of Flair strips http://www.flairstrips.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/TT-Strips-Off-DE060912822.pdf I just don't get, and where is the proof from Flair. It is interesting that the Flair people say that ALL horses working hard have lung damange http://www.flairstrips.com/pdfs/Benefits_of_FLAIR.pdf Much of this is not very scientific: http://www.flairstrips.com/education-and-research/flair-research-abstracts/ Guess I will have to go to googlescholar and read more.

Marlene · Advanced

I don't know if this is the definitive article on lasix in racing, but it provides some food for thought. Currently it is claimed that 80% or so of race horses would bleed sooner or later if lasix wasn't used, and that therefore it is justified. If bleeding can be prevented or reduced by proper warmup, then using lasix is just a lazy shortcut at the expense of the horse's welfare.

http://thoroedge.wordpress.com/2011/11/13/video-proof-of-why-thoroughbreds-bleed-in-the-us-and-not-in-japan/