NYTHA Lasix Primer & Letter to NYS RWB
 

For those that would like to know more: http://nytha.com/pdf/the_lasix_question.pdf

i think i posted this same link in that very, very long thread begun a few weeks back on lasix. i recommend everyone read it, as i found it very informative.

i applaud the people who want to clean up horse racing. i just don't agree with where they've focused their energies.

I would encourage anyone who believes that banning raceday Lasix is a mistake to click the attached link and send your name to the NYSRWB as opposed to any proposal to ban raceday Lasix: http://takeaction.nytha.com/.

Done. Thanks for the link.

A lot of good information, but also plenty omitted and clearly biased.

Good. That means it's at least level with the omitted and biased information promulgated by the opposition.

Of course. Are you going to post that side as well?

No. You can if you want to though.

I believe the cleanracing.org thread would qualify.

I've given my thoughts. I'll have to check the thread others mention since I didn't see it.

The biggest thing I have trouble with is that nobody wants to test if horses that don't need Lasix run faster with it than without it. Everything I've learned about racing in 30 years of following the sport seems to point to the fact that it does, but nobody wants to address this.

as i've asked before, how can you tell if a horse needs it? it's my understanding that eiph can occur at any time without warning, and that severe enough episodes can cause permanent lung damage. so, how does one determine when a horse will bleed? and if you can't tell, isn't it better to prevent something that could happen, rather than have regret for not preventing it, and having permanent consequences as a result?
it is also my understanding that the only enhancement is that a horse hindered by bleeding is no longer hindered when given lasix. that way he can run to his talent-not below, not above.

Some horses run faster in blinkers than without them but no one is suggesting that they are performance enhancers when they clearly can be.

Just sayin...

They aren't a drug...just sayin...

So we are back to this...just drug all horses whether they need it or not.

I keep hearing this about only helping a horse run to its ability, but I don't think it is true.

Either is a buzzer/joint

However under the definition of performance enhancer that you are placing on lasix they all can produce the same result. Yet one is illegal, one no one even mentions as a performance enhancer though it clearly can enhance performance and the other is lasix.

It clearly helps in preventing bleeding but for some reason that is always ignored.

I'm not sure what any of this has to do with the debate on Lasix. Buzzers are illegal, so who cares? You want to ban blinkers because they enhance performance, be my guest. I don't care. But clearly the public is going to see a big difference between legal equipment and legal drugs. What is next, tongue ties? Bandages? Different bits? I say we stick to drugs.

I'm not ignoring this at all. I'm ceding that point. I'd be foolish not to do so. If you want to pretend there aren't trainers using Lasix because they think it gives the horse an edge, we'll just have to disagree. I know better.

Under the definition that makes Lasix a performance enhancer all of these things qualify. So why stop at Lasix? Are tongue ties natural to horses? Ever see a set of blinkers on a horse in the wild?

"Let the horse, not the equipment, determine the outcome"

I already said I'm fine with that, but they aren't drugs. There really isn't a comparison here, just a "Stretch Armstrong" type reach.