As far as I'm concerned, it's been a downhill slope since allowing Lasix/Salix. As, rather then breeding out bleeders, the Thoroughbred industry continues to breed them as there is a 'quick' fix and some popular bloodlines carry the gene. More so, as a once trainer told me, it wasn't hard to make a non bleeder bleed in order to race on Lasix. Why did he do that? Because the horses performed better on Lasix. Their are still horsemen that will tell you Lasix doesn't improve a horses performance, but the research may have proven that it does improve a horses performance, though the study has been hit with a lot of criticism and denial. Either way, if people believe the drug will improve a horses performance they will make sure their horses can run with it. Even if perhaps in the long run it is not good for the horse. The horse can't really just stop and say, 'Hey, I'm having these side effects, maybe we shouldn't be using this stuff.' Side effects of Lasix. http://stablemade.com/hproducts/drugs/lasix.htm This particlular side effect is a red flag for breakdowns perhaps? "The major side effect of all diuretics is the danger of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Of particular importance is potassium, which is lost in increased amounts in the urine. Furosemide may also cause decreased levels of blood calcium. Both of these electrolytes are important in normal functioning of heart and skeletal (body) musculature." Humans are silly, the answers are right in front of them, but as long as money is being made they will over look the most simple of answers.

Won't even get into the many more reasons that steroids should never be used to enhance the growth of any animal, be it for racing horses or the animals we eat.

This is a fence I've been riding for many years, as I love the sport of horse racing, the horses love racing, but the use of drugs with the culture of better living through meds has to change. And not just with the horses. It is really hard to go to the track knowing what is going on and very rarely do anymore. The amount of horses not only breaking down, but having catastrophic breakdowns is unacceptable. Not just for the horses, but the safety of the jockeys and exercise riders riding them. Not all breakdowns happen in races and sadly those go largely go unreported.

For those that don't know, I have two ex race horses. One actually raced, won 1 lost 5 (4 of which he was last or 2nd to last). The other was trained to race, but did not actually race, pretty sure he's a bleeder. Which for what I do, not much, has not been an issue.