Community Chat

[pitdakota]

On 5/3/2014 KYToby said:

On 5/3/2014 terrier3 said:

That's a horse on Lasix...they lose up to 30 pounds of fluid before a race.

They are all on drugs.

You are good at generalizing and painting pictures with a broad stroke. Please provide evidence that they are ALL on drugs. Can you prove that statement? If not, then our only conclusion is that you are making things up.

Yes. there are abuses in the industry, and I am the first one to call for reforms where needed. What are you doing to reform the industry or help these animals? Here in Kentucky, we have plenty of opportunities to help retired racehorses or other horses whose owners can no longer afford to feed them. I assume that you do something like this -- due to your concern.

I am fortunate enough to live in Old Louisville -- less than two miles from Churchill Downs. I have been fortunate enough to spend a lot of time at the track -- including time on the backside and time in parts of the facility that most people will never get to see, and with all due respect, I can only say that you are truly and totally clueless.

ITA! I love the Old Friends Farm that takes retired race horses and of course The North Farm (part of the old Spindletop Farm) associated with the Equine program at the University of Kentucky that also takes retired race horses. Lots of activity going on in that area.

I haven't been able to go to Dawn at the Downs for the past several years, but it used to be one of my favorite things to do. A friend of mine that went to the backside this year told me how impressed he was with California Chrome's work out that morning...turned out he was right! lol

I think I will make plans to go to the new "Thurby" next year!!

[raven-blackbird]

On 5/4/2014 terrier3 said:

On 5/4/2014 focksie said:

I just read a little about Lasix in race horses. It causes vasodilation so that they can breathe better, avoiding broken blood vessels in the lungs. Unlike steroids in other sports, Lasix is declared and listed for public notice.

It is also not humane and is banned in Europe.

well............I remember a couple of guys runnin around Europe named Hitler and Mussolini banned all kinds of stuff........would you have us follow those bans to just because they were done in Europe???????

NOW...........before you make some statement about the absurdity of my statement to you, let me point out it was as absurd as the one you just made.

You tend to paint with a very broad brush.......that could be by accident or by intent........I think probably more the latter..........the deal is when you paint with a broad brush you tend to blur the lines........you muddy the lines between fact and conjecture.......you read bits of articles and walk away convinced you are the authority on a subject based on an online article you've read or partially read................................raven

[terrier3]

On 5/4/2014 blackbirdraven said:

On 5/4/2014 terrier3 said:

On 5/4/2014 focksie said:

I just read a little about Lasix in race horses. It causes vasodilation so that they can breathe better, avoiding broken blood vessels in the lungs. Unlike steroids in other sports, Lasix is declared and listed for public notice.

It is also not humane and is banned in Europe.

well............I remember a couple of guys runnin around Europe named Hitler and Mussolini banned all kinds of stuff........would you have us follow those bans to just because they were done in Europe???????

NOW...........before you make some statement about the absurdity of my statement to you, let me point out it was as absurd as the one you just made.

You tend to paint with a very broad brush.......that could be by accident or by intent........I think probably more the latter..........the deal is when you paint with a broad brush you tend to blur the lines........you muddy the lines between fact and conjecture.......you read bits of articles and walk away convinced you are the authority on a subject based on an online article you've read or partially read................................raven

WOW...that's quite a reach - comparing Lasix banned in racehorses in Europe to Adolf Hitler!

WOW...did the doctor cut off your meds and it's making you grumpy!

WOW!!!

[raven-blackbird]

On 5/4/2014 terrier3 said:

On 5/4/2014 blackbirdraven said:

On 5/4/2014 terrier3 said:

On 5/4/2014 focksie said:

I just read a little about Lasix in race horses. It causes vasodilation so that they can breathe better, avoiding broken blood vessels in the lungs. Unlike steroids in other sports, Lasix is declared and listed for public notice.

It is also not humane and is banned in Europe.

well............I remember a couple of guys runnin around Europe named Hitler and Mussolini banned all kinds of stuff........would you have us follow those bans to just because they were done in Europe???????

NOW...........before you make some statement about the absurdity of my statement to you, let me point out it was as absurd as the one you just made.

You tend to paint with a very broad brush.......that could be by accident or by intent........I think probably more the latter..........the deal is when you paint with a broad brush you tend to blur the lines........you muddy the lines between fact and conjecture.......you read bits of articles and walk away convinced you are the authority on a subject based on an online article you've read or partially read................................raven

WOW...that's quite a reach - comparing Lasix banned in racehorses in Europe to Adolf Hitler!

WOW...did the doctor cut off your meds and it's making you grumpy!

WOW!!!

LOL............that's the best you've got.............I shouldn't be surprised LOL..........................raven

[terrier3]

On 5/4/2014 blackbirdraven said:

On 5/4/2014 terrier3 said:

On 5/4/2014 blackbirdraven said:

On 5/4/2014 terrier3 said:

On 5/4/2014 focksie said:

I just read a little about Lasix in race horses. It causes vasodilation so that they can breathe better, avoiding broken blood vessels in the lungs. Unlike steroids in other sports, Lasix is declared and listed for public notice.

It is also not humane and is banned in Europe.

well............I remember a couple of guys runnin around Europe named Hitler and Mussolini banned all kinds of stuff........would you have us follow those bans to just because they were done in Europe???????

NOW...........before you make some statement about the absurdity of my statement to you, let me point out it was as absurd as the one you just made.

You tend to paint with a very broad brush.......that could be by accident or by intent........I think probably more the latter..........the deal is when you paint with a broad brush you tend to blur the lines........you muddy the lines between fact and conjecture.......you read bits of articles and walk away convinced you are the authority on a subject based on an online article you've read or partially read................................raven

WOW...that's quite a reach - comparing Lasix banned in racehorses in Europe to Adolf Hitler!

WOW...did the doctor cut off your meds and it's making you grumpy!

WOW!!!

LOL............that's the best you've got.............I shouldn't be surprised LOL..........................raven

Your insults and comparisons are so asinine they don't really deserve a comeback...

[focksie]

On 5/4/2014 boby said:

Focksie et al: Lasix is a vasodilator and a diuretic. It does have therapeutic value, but it also induces fluid loss, which reduces blood pressure and makes it less likely that horses will bleed during a race.

It does not drastically dehydrate horses. That would be dangerous. If you remember Big Brown's disastrous performance in the Belmont Stakes a few years ago it is commonly believed that he "OD'd" on Lasix on a very hot day, and lost so much fluid that he was kind of "punch drunk."

Lasix is also commonly administered to humans to relieve congestive heart failure.

It is legal in most racing jurisdictions, although some are getting away from its use. California recently turned down the Breeders Cup races for 2014 because the BC people wouldn't agree to its use in all races, insisting that it be banned for use in all 2 year old races. It is estimated that denial of the Breeders Cup races cost the local economy of SoCal about $60 million. That's how addicted some trainers out there are to Lasix for their horses.

There are lots of trainers who would love to see it banned but continue to use it, because they would be at a competitive disadvantage if they didn't. It is a PED. That is why the Racing Form lists Lasix users, especially first-time users. Lots of trainers and owners don't use it, but there is so much pressure put on them by some track vets to use, because the vet gets about $30-35 per pop.

John Veitch, a former top-notch trainer for some of the best outfits in the game and an articulate and brutally honest individual, once said that he got out of training when racing went from "My horse against your horse to my chemist against your chemist."

And that's part of the Lasix story.

Yes, boby. That's exactly the information I posted in my post, that Lasix is a vasodilator so prevents blood vessels from bursting during the strenuous race. And yes, people are prescribed Lasix for certain medical conditions but I was just thinking, is it right to be intentionally giving a drug to an animal for racing (entertainment) purposes? It's an ethical question.

[terrier3]

On 5/4/2014 focksie said:

Yes, boby. That's exactly the information I posted in my post, that Lasix is a vasodilator so prevents blood vessels from bursting during the strenuous race. And yes, people are prescribed Lasix for certain medical conditions but I was just thinking, is it right to be intentionally giving a drug to an animal for racing (entertainment) purposes? It's an ethical question.

The answer in Europe is NO. The same in NY State and Breeder's Cup races are trying hard to get it banned too.

There are currently 28 drugs horses can have in their system when they race, including diuretics, stimulants and even tranquilizers.

If we don't allow it in athletes, we shouldn't allow it with animals who have no choice in the matter. There is nothing worse than a breakdown at the racetrack.

These horses are too beautiful and intelligent to be abused for the sake of winning races.

[raven-blackbird]

On 5/4/2014 terrier3 said:

On 5/4/2014 blackbirdraven said:

On 5/4/2014 terrier3 said:

On 5/4/2014 blackbirdraven said:

On 5/4/2014 terrier3 said:

On 5/4/2014 focksie said:

I just read a little about Lasix in race horses. It causes vasodilation so that they can breathe better, avoiding broken blood vessels in the lungs. Unlike steroids in other sports, Lasix is declared and listed for public notice.

It is also not humane and is banned in Europe.

well............I remember a couple of guys runnin around Europe named Hitler and Mussolini banned all kinds of stuff........would you have us follow those bans to just because they were done in Europe???????

NOW...........before you make some statement about the absurdity of my statement to you, let me point out it was as absurd as the one you just made.

You tend to paint with a very broad brush.......that could be by accident or by intent........I think probably more the latter..........the deal is when you paint with a broad brush you tend to blur the lines........you muddy the lines between fact and conjecture.......you read bits of articles and walk away convinced you are the authority on a subject based on an online article you've read or partially read................................raven

WOW...that's quite a reach - comparing Lasix banned in racehorses in Europe to Adolf Hitler!

WOW...did the doctor cut off your meds and it's making you grumpy!

WOW!!!

LOL............that's the best you've got.............I shouldn't be surprised LOL..........................raven

Your insults and comparisons are so asinine they don't really deserve a comeback...

awwww I see............so that's what you're using to cover your inability to debate a subject intelligently.................okay, that's cool...........................................LOL raven

[Yuban3]

Annnd in other news about the Derby, I liked Johnny Weir's hat!

[Yuban3]

Sorry about the GIANT size of the pic!