Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

THE FARMERS — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:26:12 GMT

that sounds just like a girl with a mind of her own...this article really made my day...thank you vary much...

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

Sagerider2 — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:33:16 GMT

I found most interesting the comments about furosemide and corticosteroid. I doubt there is anything wrong with these horses except the trainer. By the way, Standardbreds take this very seriously. Just a month ago, They did some out of competition testing on 2 trainers horses, and banned them for 10 years for using steroids on their horses. Unfortunately, the result is a horse dying of a heart attack at 3, breaking down, being sterile. Once it's used it's pretty much a life sentence. I saw a PBS special on the female German swimmers of the 70's and some of them have turned into men.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

steve — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:17:18 GMT

Excellent comments . Lets follow the world and make safer horses. No lasix , no bute and no ponies let's have good horses and horsemen

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

needler in Virginia — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:03:31 GMT

It's taken me a few days to process all that has been said by Mr Beaton and by ColetteMarie, so if I ramble a bit please forgive; it IS, after all Monday and I am NOT required to think too much on Mondays (it's a law somewhere, I think!) So, here goes:

Several thoughts have leapt immediately to mind. One is that whatever organization I have joined seems to operate on the principle that "we have always done it that way, so why change anything?" Nothing is guaranteed to make me crazier than anyone who says THAT! Racing, though, seems to have raised it to an art form; I don't think I can remember any single group that guards its' bad habits as vehemently. Except for a VERY few forward looking horsey folks......Art Hancock and Jim Squires and John Ward stand out........ racing seems to defend its' practices with great zeal and no logic or sense. Zealots have always made me nervous, so I tend to view racing's "principles" with a jaundiced eye, and to evaluate pronouncements from those who defend racing's outdated, outmoded and dangerous practices with a good deal of cynicism. The question must always be asked "WHO benefits here?" and friends, it is NOT the horses that we (and they) say are loved. You can bet, however, that those who defend a lot of the drugging policies, and several other practices (that I won't talk about right now) are making THEIR profits at the expense of the very creatures they have created.

Second, I must address bleeding and the use of Lasix, Salix or whatever it's being called this week. It is a fact that horses in other nations race without Lasix; American horse are not required to run Lasix free. WHY NOT? All the "reasons" and excuses in the world won't justify the use of a drug that seems to have MANY suspicious side effects; well done breeders and trainers and vets! You've created these addicts with serious bleeding issues and which cannot perform without it. The "wise ones" breed bleeders to bleeders and are surprised when they get bleeders, but who really cares? The babies run REALLY fast and retire when they are 4 and go straight to the breeding shed so they can make more fast babies who bleed. The trainers say "why not?" when the vet suggests Lasix, so life goes on....

Last, I thank Mr Beaton for talking about the not-moving-forward filly, and what happened to us when training our Morgan to ride. He learned to speed-back at a rate slightly under the speed of light, and learned THAT in about a nanosecond! Smart horse! HOWEVER, it took ages and ages to get him to forget about speed-backing and go forward with half as much enthusiasm.... he always did march to his own tunes. From horses we learn a truth: you can learn how to do anything the wrong way in a split second, but it takes YEARS to learn to do it right. The poobahs of racing obviously have not learned how to do it right yet, but unless something changes VERY fast indeed, we will be seeing the sport we love disappear; I, for one, will mourn its' passing.

Cheers to all, and safe trips.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

Fritzel — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:02:54 GMT

Graeme Beaton's commentary is right on. It's so frustrating that nothing changes. We indeed cannot go forward and the horses are the ones who pay the price.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

MikeM — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:14:46 GMT

I have been to the track many times during training hours to see my horses train. I very rarly see a pony taking an individual horse to the track. It seems like it's only done with a very skittish or nervous 2 yo. Most of the time they walk with a set.I do agree about not needing a pony for the pre-race warm up.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

tbpartnerperson43 — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:30:19 GMT

The horse will never be first, I'm afraid. I had the audacity to contact a trainer about my partnership horse's medical conditions AFTER the horse was claimed. I figured if they knew nothing about him they might turn around and drop him again trying for a quick purse, and to hell with his legs, or that they might actually appreciate his worth and treat him if they had some information. I see this kind of communication in the best interest of the horse. Evidently, this is a cardinal sin. I've been vilified and accused of all sorts of ridiculous things in this case. I'm beginning to think that partnerships are for the uneducated, certainly not for anyone who knows anything about horses. The way this is playing out is that I'll leave the partnership and therefore the trainer will have one less trained eye to worry about. Sad for the horses.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

JR Adam Man — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 12:24:28 GMT

Great post Collette Marie, and thanks for the concise explanation. This is the type of discussion racing needs. We need a stronger breed, and this will not be found until we let the horse run JUST on hay oats and water. We mask our infirmities and deficiencies with steroids, and other race day medications. Then we breed these doctored horses, and the breed suffers. I have owned a racehorse in the past, so I know a little, but do not know as much as others...but one remembrenece comes to mind as a fan. I went to the Haskell a few years ago..when Funny Cide and Peace Rules ran ( I was a big fan of Funny Cide). I went down to see to walking ring to see the two horses and get pictures. I saw Funny Cide, and he was a regular looking horse, much like any claimer...a working man's horse. Peace Rules was majestic, sleek.... But there was another horse in the walking ring I will never forget. Sky Mesa walked by me, and he was so muscled, more than any horse I had ever seen. He reminded me of the cartoon wrestler in the bugs bunny cartoon...thin waist, barrel chest, huge arms (legs). He lookied like the Schwarzzennager of horses. It was almost freakish. I had seen many muscled horses, bit this was something I had never seen. He was sight....I thought it was his genetic makeup that made him look like this. I will never forget how he looked...not majestic, but muscle bound looking. Now fast forward to my Bloodhorse subscription. They sent me a Stallion Register, and it is fun to page through as a fan. just flippping though....I saw Sky Mesa. Now....it has been a couple years, but this was not the same horse I saw in Monmouth. Not even remotely. Most stallions five years retired still look like they can race...but looking at Sky Mesa...I saw a very average horse...very average. Now... if this horse was little 'enhanced', and ran that way.... and we make him a stallion....wouldn't the offspring have the same deficiences that need to be enhanced? Just a thought. We need to make a better breed thorugh natural ways.

The athlete is the most important part of the sport, and until we put it first (medicines, kill pens), this sport will rank below boxing. Thanks all. JR

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

Swapsfan — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 05:26:05 GMT

I've hoped for a commentary like this for a long time. Well said, Mr. Beaton! I'm "just a fan" and I would love to see both Lasix and Bute banned for race days. I have little confidence it will happen anytime soon, however. One positive note was a recent story in The Chronicle of the Horse about the steeplechaser, Mixed Up. His trainer took him off Lasix because of the associated health problems, and Mixed Up won what I think was his first race without it.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

ColetteMarie — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:29:16 GMT

Scott,

I never said trainers don't care. I believe many, if not most do. But, I would venture to guess that while they know Lasix pulls a large amount of water from the blood & follow a practice of replacing fluid & electrolytes after the race, it is unfortunately too late at that point. How ironic that racehorses are watched over & cared for, given daily baths, are groomed to perfection, are monitored for every morsel they eat in between races & then, amazingly, rendered ill just hours before they race by an injection of Lasix. I am sure a large number of horses racing arrive to the starting gate dehydrated & with electrolyte imbalances. If horses given Lasix had their blood drawn, to check their electrolytes, as they were heading to the paddock to be saddled & a lab was right there to run a quick turn around for results (this labwork can be resulted in 5-10 minutes), you would find horses being scratched due to being ill. I don't fault trainers as much as I do the vets. They are medical professionals & have to know the physiology of Lasix as much as I do. They also have to know the ramifications of certain electrolytes being too low & how these imbalances affect the cardio-vascular system. Don't vets, like doctors, takes an oath "to render no harm"? To show some semblance of "rendering no harm", they should at least know what the horse's electrolyte levels & hydration levels are that morning before giving the Lasix. Does it make sense that a horse is cared for to within an inch of its life except when he or she is actually racing? Does it make sense for a horse to race when its cardio-vascular system is not functioning at its best?

If any one of us was dehydrated & had low electrolyte levels, for whatever reason, we wouldn't feel inclined to so much as run across a room. Instead we'd be looking to get ourselves to a doctor or maybe even to an Emergency Room.

I can't imagine, with all the work trainers put into caring for their horses, that they have any idea what is actually going on in their horses body as they lead them to a race, when given Lasix.

While I have never owned racehorses, I have owned well over a hundred horses over the years, including Thoroughbreds. I have never had one drop dead, except one horse who was 37 years old when he suddenly died. I would say it is a safe bet that he died of old age.

It is common for people to trust their doctors & to believe that their doctor has their best interest at heart. Most people have no idea how a prescribed medication works within their body. They only know that this pill is for their blood pressure & that pill is for their diabetes, etc. People never ask how a medication exactly works. Trainers are people, too & probably don't ask any more questions than anybody else would. The problems, with medications in racing, are multifaceted and the blame cannot all be placed on the shoulders of the trainers.

ColetteMarie

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

David — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:36:52 GMT

The reasons for reform surrounding permissive medication in the U.S are obvious - best practices established by most every jurisdictions throughout the world, the well-being of the horse, the (proper) scrutiny by the wagering public and the much larger universe of individuals who will never become consumers. Perhaps even more compelling is the reality that racing simply cannot afford it! The idea of 38 theifdoms having separate allowances, testing, and enforcement is positively ridiculous. One would think that cost containment amid (steep) declining demand would alone prompt action. But as contributors herein point out, it can’t be the vets, the trainers, the breeders, the auction companies or even the regulators who make the call; they merely serve at the pleasure of the ones throwing the party - the owners, the ones who (allegedly) are in it for the love of the horse and the game. The question then becomes one of underlying motivation and ultimately if the game is simply getting what it deserves.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

Mary — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:48:20 GMT

Great article and I hope you'll keep bringing these issues to the forefront.

Thanks to ColetteMarie for the detailed explanation of Lasix. My elderly mother was on it the last few years of her life. Even with constant monitoring by her doctor, she had recurrent problems with dehydration and electrolyte imbalance from using Lasix. I often wondered if it had the same impact on horses.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

dianne — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:11:55 GMT

I would like to see a LOT more good research on the use of medication on horses, most especially race horses. I would really like to see the US trainers work their horses like they do overseas. In the UK, horses are walked to the gallops, worked in groups and then walked back. They're taught to behave and thus they can walk by themselves and warm up by themselves. This seems to be a radical concept in America and I'd really like to see an American trainer break from "tradition" and dispense with the pony and have their runners walk out and then warm up on their own.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

da3hoss — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:53:14 GMT

You made a great point about not properly warming up before a race...maybe the warm-up expands their lungs slowly and properly, too...

When you deplete electrolytes, they don't just "magically appear" after a taste from a tube of paste.

Leaching calcium from the bones, racing dehydrated, and we blame the track surface..???

Bute, don't get me going, poor horses racing sore and crippled, how stupid does the racing world think we are. (pretty stupid)

How many horses have died in agony, dropping dead "suddenly" in their stalls from ulcers...

Also, over supplementation, especially of calcium, reaps you exactly the opposite result you wanted, you can read about it in many studies, many other vitamins are the same way...didn't horse racing learn anything from the canine schutzhund world 10-15 years ago? We had so many joint problems, leg fractures, spine problems, hormone problems from GH...

Nope. Cobra venom, milkshakes, race day lasix, raceday bute...all the same...bad for the horses.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

Bill — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:20:54 GMT

I have read many "Final Turns", like this one for many years now and nothing seems to change. This is because the horseracing powers don't really care about the fans or the well-being of the entire industry as a whole. They want to put money in their pockets and screw everyone else. I agree that the racing industry in the U.S. thinks that it is better then everywhere else especially in KY. I hope that the industry gets their minds right and does something for the good of the fans and the horse, but I am not holding my breath. I expect more lip service and empty promises from the "old timers" and the "KY Bluebloods" that control the sport and the industry. If the inept entity that we call the "horseracing industry" can't come up with good viable solutions to its own problems, I assure you that Congress will. I, for one, am growing tired of it all, it has gotten old and will keep getting older until, apparently, Congress decides to step in.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

WWSTP — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:08:44 GMT

Graeme, I really appreciate this subject coming up. It needs to come up over and over again until we get it right. Just from the handicapper's perspective you would think there would be an uproar about the use of drugs that can hide other drugs....how can they fairly bet on a race when one horse or another is getting drugged in known and unknown ways. But then, there is the point of view that these are fabulous beautiful animals that feel and think and give their hearts for our entertainment and profit making thirst. The quality of their life does matter...or it should. The effects of these medications on them does matter...or it should. And the fact that other countries ban all drugs, including Lasix, should be the writing on the wall that our racing industry, while trying to resurrect itself and bring on more fans, keeps doing the thing that repulses people the most - hurting the horse in the name of greed. Integrity is a word used a lot by this industry, yet it has had a dark history in the minds of many and if this is ever to be resolved, the industry itself is going to have to make the big changes, based on integrity, rather than continue to just give it lip service. With all the information technology available, the dark/greedy/cheating side cannot hide nearly as well as it used to. Too many people are watching and too many are informed. This is why horse racing is NOT able to entice more fans, let alone keep the ones they have. It's a shame because racing is one of the few formats where one can still witness and deeply appreciate the grandeur of the horse, on whose back this country was founded and made.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

David — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:05:42 GMT

I am not a nurse (although my wife has been for 30 years) or a vet. However, as a resident of Kentucky, I totally understand Mr. Beaton. This state goes forward on virtually nothing. It does so without reservation and, in fact, with a swagger that suggests the rest of the country fails to get what Kentucky has right. US racing’s view of the rest of the world is similar.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

Adele Maxon — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:21:30 GMT

I agree with the overuse of ponies at the "warm-up". I guess our tracks are just more "controlled" than our European counterparts, but yes, the extreme twisting of the neck always to the left on a short rein is very detrimental to the well-being of those neck muscles and back in general. Maybe a little longer rein held by the pony rider would help. God forbid if horses would get loose or dump their riders if they weren't "held." It's funny, when European horses come over here they just trot/gallop nicely by themselves without any assistance! Maybe we should try it...

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

Scott — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:52:31 GMT

Once again, you have half the information. All trainers I know, after a race, make sure their horse is rehydrated. Either through jugging, paste, or just feeding(electrolyte enhanced). So once again, we do care, we do something about it. Once again, people not knowing, and commenting on something they don't really know. How many times do the horse people have to say this. We care. Spend a week behind the scenes; watch, listen and understand. There are no postives across the pond, because they use other things. Go over there and see.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

Jeff — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:43:10 GMT

Right on ColletteMarie! I too am a healthcare professional and am disgusted by some of the practices of trainers and vets on these magnificent animals. Racing leaders need to put a stop to all this madness and trainers should have to have an education in equine physiology to be licensed! In short, you should have to be a professional to make your profession in horse racing. All this can only happen if we have ONE ruling committee over the sport like any other successful sport such as the NFL, NASCAR, etc.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

darlene — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:25:27 GMT

I am also a nurse and agree with Colette on Lasix 100 percent. Thanks Darlene.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

MarilynH — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:28:47 GMT

Dear ColetteMarie, thank you so much for your detailed explanation of the impact of Lasix on the human/equine system. I was perscribed Lasix for a medical condition years ago. After only one pill, I felt so horrible, I didn't even finish the rest of the bottle. I've often wondered over the years, if the medication had the same long-term effect on horses. And I agree that we do very little to put back what we've stripped from the horse's system through the use of Salix. But the fear of bleeding is so great, we get stuck in this harmful cycle with no great alternative. Maybe the new level of awareness will push researchers to come up with healthier solutions - soon! Thank you again for the thoughtful discussion.

re: Let's Move Forward - By Graeme Beaton

ColetteMarie — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:34:28 GMT

Hello Graeme,

Using Furosemide is more dangerous than most horsemen probably realize. Salix is Furosemide marketed to the vet world & Lasix is furosemide marketed to the human medical world. It is the exact same medication. Just about everyone knows someone taking Lasix, especially if they are over 70 to 75 yrs. old. Being perscribed Lasix is as common with senior citizens as taking Tylenol for a headache. Both with horses & humans, Furosemide functions in the same way. It "drys" out the blood. Blood is comprised of about 90% water. Furosemide pulls the water out of the blood, sending it to the kidneys & flushed out of the body in the form of urine. Many people refer to Furosemide as a "water pill". With humans it is used to decrease the volume of their blood. As people get older, their heart muscle loses its ability to pump the adequate amount of blood thru the heart with each heartbeat. The excess backs up into the lungs causing congestive heart failure & due to gravity, much of the water within their blood starts to pool in their lower legs, causing swollen feet & ankles. How many of us know someone who has these symptoms? Probably most of us. The drug of choice, to alleviate this problem, is Furosemide. By maintaining the blood with less water and thereby decreasing the volume of the person's blood, the heart muscle has a better chance of pumping the blood thru the heart muscle without having backup into the lungs.

With horses, it is also used to decrease the amount of water in the horse's blood, thereby decreasing the volume of their blood. With the decreased volume, there is less pressure on the capillaries (small blood vessels) within the horse's lungs, as the blood passes thru the lungs for oxygenation. With extreme exercise, such as in racing, the blood pumps thru the horse's heart & lungs with a much greater force. The increase in force puts pressure on the fragile capillaries, causing them to rupture & the horse bleeds. If one thinks of water being forced, with pressure, thru a pipe and that pipe has a fragile area for one reason or another, it will start leaking. But, if you decrease the amount of water being forced thru that pipe, you have a much less likelihood of the pipe's fragile area leaking.

As with humans, horses taking Furosemide have a very high liklihood of electrolye imbalances within their bloodstream. The electrolytes get flushed out with the water drawn off by the Furosemide, especially potassium & sodium, both vital electrolytes. Potassium helps to maintain the correct rhythm of one's heartbeat, both in humans & horses. If the potassium level is too low, the heart can go into cardiac arrest & one dies. If the sodium level is too low, all the muscles within the body fail to function at optimum level.

When humans are taking Furosemide, they are automatically given a perscription for potassium in pill form since it is a given that the Furosemide will drop their potassium level too low. Their bloodwork is also monitored very regularly to make sure they are taking enough Potassium to compensate for what is lost with the Furosemide.

Furosemide can also cause dehydration if too much water is pulled out of the blood stream. None of us feel at our best when we are dehydrated. Neither do horses. Dehydration also causes the heart rate to increase quite significantly.

I highly doubt that once given the Furosemide, that horses have repeat bloodwork to check their electrolyte levels. So, who knows if their potassium & sodium is too low. Who knows if they are dehydrated. All their levels could be out of whack and that is before they even race a step!!

So, as an RN with almost 30 years experience in the Intensive Care Unit and the Emergency Room, I am here to tell you that Furosemide is definitely not a performance enhancer. Instead, it is a recipe for disaster.When I see a horse "tie up", I think to myself that the horse is dehydrated & has a too low sodium level. When I hear of a horse collapsing & dying for no apparent reason, I think to myself that its potassium level was probably too low & the horse went into cardiac arrest.

Furosemide may prevent a horse from bleeding, thereby "enhancing" their performance. But, it is like playing Russian Roulette each time a horse is given the furosemide because nobody has a clue what their blood levels are at that particular time to begin with. If a nurse or a doctor gave furosemide without knowing the person's electrolyte levels & replacing the expected drop in levels, they'd lose their license in short order & if God forbid someone died, they'd be living in a jail cell.

I apologize for this post being so long. But, I wanted to try to explain exactly how Furosemide works & why horses are given it.

ColetteMarie