Study on effectiveness of race day lasix.

[Xctrygirl]

@LaurieB

The president of the North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians replies to Bill Casner’s article. He says in part:

“Horses, on the other hand, receive Lasix on race day with the average horse racing six times a year, according to the Jockey Club Fact Book. Even quadrupling administration to account for Lasix use in training makes it highly unlikely that such low dosage can have any significant effect on bone structure.”

So I am not agreeing with the drawn conclusions however, 6 doses of Lasix in a year would be extremely low given my own time in the world of racing. Drawing on my experiences from 2 steeplechase barns, 2 Hall of Fame trainers, and 3 claiming trainers I would suggest that the average starts per year that I saw was closer to 10 a year. And with that the horses that actually bled would be given Lasix for workouts as well which amounted to roughly anywhere from 2-4 times a month depending on the horse. The amounts varied wildly as well. Some barns gave everything 3cc as protection and some gave 7cc+ to be more than safe. The highest horse dose I have been a part of was 10cc.

For the record when I raced Lad as his owner/trainer at point to points he too was given Lasix. In around the 3-4cc level.

I just think the “Racehorse average starts” is WAY off. I wonder if the calculation is based on foals born, or horses that have made it to the track and had a published workout at least once.

Em

[LaurieB]

@Xctrygirl

I just think the “Racehorse average starts” is WAY off. I wonder if the calculation is based on foals born, or horses that have made it to the track and had a published workout at least once.

It’s interesting to hear you say that because I’ve always wondered about it too. I know those stats are gathered, published, and then roundly criticized (because Lasix is supposedly to blame for the fact that the average number of starts per horse is dropping) but the number has always seemed low to me, too. I assumed that the stats were based on horses that had made at least one start but I could be totally wrong about that.

[Palm_Beach]

@LaurieB

It’s interesting to hear you say that because I’ve always wondered about it too. I know those stats are gathered, published, and then roundly criticized (because Lasix is supposedly to blame for the fact that the average number of starts per horse is dropping) but the number has always seemed low to me, too. I assumed that the stats were based on horses that had made at least one start but I could be totally wrong about that.

Once a horse is racing fit, you don’t need to lay them on the fence much between races. The “old school” hard works, long gallops training methods are fortunately being replaced by training schedules that are backed up by science.

[skydy]

Today in the BloodHorse https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/236683/kentucky-edrc-opposes-changes-to-race-day-lasix-policy

[Palm_Beach]

@skydy

Today in the BloodHorse https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/236683/kentucky-edrc-opposes-changes-to-race-day-lasix-policy

I’m in favor of elimination of medication that contributes to unsoundness and breakdowns. Lasix does not do that.

[skydy]

@Palm Beach

I’m in favor of elimination of medication that contributes to unsoundness and breakdowns. Lasix does not do that.

It will be interesting to see if the KHRC follows the recommendation or if they join the no Lasix groups.

[Palm_Beach]

@skydy

It will be interesting to see if the KHRC follows the recommendation or if they join the no Lasix groups.

Having watched countless maiden races at Keeneland this fall with huge fields, I imagine they are in quite the pressure cooker now.

[Where_sMyWhite]

@Palm Beach

Having watched countless maiden races at Keeneland this fall with huge fields, I imagine they are in quite the pressure cooker now.

I would agree that Keeneland is in a bit of a pressure cooker ATM. In the meet just concluded, they lost 5 (IIRC 4 racing, 1 training).

As I’ve mentioned, I like their commitment to “transparency” with respect to track stats and publishing an incident report. But, still questions in my mind…