Commentary: Bute not in racing's best interest

I don't write much about the issue of drugs or medications within the sport of horse racing; I'm not a vet so I feel uncomfortable commenting on the beneficial or negative uses of legal race day medications, or their side effects. BloodHorse.com, however, has an article written by Dr. Rich Arthur about the drug phenylbutazone (Bute) that provides some excellent information and food for thought on issues facing the industry with regards to medication.

over 1 year ago Matt Gardner 3 comments 0 recs |

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I Say Get Rid Of It

If it makes a prerace exam harder and therefore risky for the horse, let’s do without. I think some Cali owners might disagree – I have always gone against horses coming east from Cali that have had to go off Bute, horses like Lava Man, who I don’t think ever won a race outside of California. But if inflammation is the key way vets and trainers have for detecting a problem, shouldn’t this be a no-brainer?

Now is the time boys to make a big noise.
No matter what the people say,
For there is naught to fear, the gang's all here,
So hail West Virginia, hail.

by JP Fanshawe on Sep 15, 2010 9:47 PM EDT via mobile reply actions