Issues on the Use of Lasix and Bute in Racehorses

It has been a well-known fact that many horses who race today are put under Lasix or Butazolidin, more commonly known as "Bute." These medications are legal in all races in the US and may even be injected into the horse on race day itself.

Lasix is actually the trade name of Furosemide, a diuretic that causes fluids stored in the horse's system to be released through the urine. Bute, meanwhile, is an anti-inflammatory drug that is commonly used to treat a sick or injured horse.

In case you don't know why these medications got their way into the horse's bloodstreams, the simple reason is EIPH. Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage or bleeding of the tiny blood vessels in the lungs due to overexertion is a problem encountered by most thoroughbreds that race strenuously. When a horse bleeds in, it will have difficulty breathing, hence, difficulty running as well. This is a lifelong problem necessitating medication in most racehorses.

Lasix works by lowering the horse's blood pressure, especially in the aorta and pulmonary artery through the release of fluids in its urine. This lowers blood pressure in the capillaries and lessens EIPH.

The debate rages when horses are placed under Lasix because experts contend that it's a performance-enhancing drug that has a similar effect to the steroids some human athletes inject themselves with. Moreover, it also gives them a weight advantage since the volume of fluid lost due to the medication can make the horse lose as much as 20 pounds.

Bute, meanwhile, is simply a pain and fever medication for injured horses. There hasn't been any proof that it enhances a horse's performance in any way. However, the welfare of racehorses comes to mind when an unscrupulous trainer would use Bute on an injured horse so it could race instead of letting it rest.

There is no question as to the legal aspect of using these medications in race horses. However, it carries with it various moral, ethical and yes, even wagering considerations. It's really up to the owner, trainer and bettor to understand its implications on the track.

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