Kentucky's ongoing attempt to end racing in state proceeds..

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

One of the biggest reasons why the average starts per year stat has continued to decrease is the modern theory of starting 2 year olds later in the year and hardly racing at 2. It is pretty hard for older horses to counter a horse making 1 or 2 starts and having them count the same as a horse that perhaps ran all year. But why waste time on facts?

We know that horses started at 2 and raced young have stronger bones, longer careers, and less likelihood of musculoskeletal injury over their lifetimes.

But PETA won't tell you that.

[Riot]

The argument has gone away from the strongest argument in favor of using lasix, and why the veterinary world strongly supports it's continued use, and why it's used for training works in the countries that ban it on race day: it helps protect the race horse from lung damage. It is good for their health, with little downside.

Can we race without it? Sure. But horses won't be able to run as fast, as far, or as frequently. Not due to performance-enhancement, but due to increased level of side effects from chronic lung damage.

Before we used lasix, horsemen used to not allow horses to drink water for 1-2 days before racing, in order to dehydrate them. Far better one lasix injection is used to protect the lungs short-term during the work or race.