she had no diseases or pre-existing bone abnormalities before her breakdown.

I am so glad to learn of this – I was particularly concerned she was being run with an injury as were many others.

Eight Belles and the other 19 horses in the Derby were also tested for improper medication levels, as was the entire field in the Kentucky Oaks, won by Eight Belles’ stablemate Proud Spell. All of the medication tests came back negative.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/triplecrown08/news/story?id=3400061

About Lasix ~ I know of some folks that used this for known bleeders during barrel racing. One thing important to remember about Lasix (Furosemide… Lasix is actually the brand name >>> “Lasix” aka “Lasts Six Hours”) is that it can cover up the use of other drugs.

Bleeding can decrease lung function over time so folks also use Lasix to prevent the condition in the first place, even when they’ve never bled. Another reason the race industry uses it is it inhibits the absorbtion of sodium, sending the fluid to the bladder in order to make a horse a few pounds lighter and hopefully run faster. It’s a diuretic, so using it has it’s risks. It causes dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, (the use of corticosteriods with Lasix increases that potential for electrolyte imbalance), decreases the kidney’s ability to excrete bute, apirin, and the like, so a lower dose of these pain killers/anti-inflammatories is in order as well.

Congratulations Kevin and Amy on the potential new addition to the family!

Seriously – you guys have brought out some of the best discussion I’ve seen about this – and I especially want to thank all of you for keeping it civil. I know many of these things are touchy – and you guys have filled me with pride that we’ve got some of the classiest fans in the sport here.