bute and lasix

Question


-----Question-----
"What exactly does Brute and/or Lasix do to a horse in prep for/or during a race?....I am a horse handicapper (novice level) and also want to know if you "go for the win" with your horse in each and every race...How would I know if a trainer/owner is "stepping or prepping" so to speak in a given race....Hope you will take time to answer the above questions....thank you for your time.....s.leagans"

-----Answer-----
Sid,

Bute is an analgesic pain killer with effects similar to ibuprofen.  It helps to reduce inflammation and acts as a mild pain reliever for muscle aches and pains.  Many trainers give it to help alleviate any slight aches or pains before a race.
Lasix is a diuretic, and is used to help reduce blood pressure in horses that bleed.  When a horse races, pressure builds up in the lungs, often causing the capillaries to burst, resulting in blood entering the lungs themselves.  This results in the horse not being able to get enough air, so he stops running.  In order to combat this, trainers will usually give the horse Lasix 4 hours before post.
I never run a horse that I don't think has a legitimate shot to win, or at hit the board.  Most trainers feel like I do, although some will use races as training tools.  As far as telling which trainers are not really in for the win, the only thing that I can suggest is reading the Form carefully for work patterns, past races, trainer stats, etc.
Thanks,
Stephanie Frost
www.alchemybloods...   Let me ask "Diuertic" as defined by Webster dictionary is: "increasing the flow of urine"..a diuretic drug or substance....I having a problem understanding how increasing the flow of urine  and bleeding
are associated....Again thanks for your time, I have enjoyed reading your comments on Lasix and Bute.....sid

Answer
A diuretic reduces blood pressure by reducing the volume of water retained by the body.  Lower water volume=lower blood pressure.  It is used in humans for reducing blood pressure as well as certain heart ailments that involve poor circulatory issues to prevent fluid build-up.
There is no actual cure for bleeding in the lungs, (more properly termed EIPH, or Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage) but Lasix does seem to help alleviate it, due to reducing the pressure in the blood vessels in the lung.

Stephanie Frost