Ban to "withhold water from a horse" Furosemide banned also??

[Thomass]

So a proposed new rule banning 'withholding water from a horse"

my understanding is Furosemide is still allowed here in the training of horses...just as it is widely used in Australia by the likes of Waller

How can NZTR rationalise speaking of their commitment to 'horse welfare' while allowing the rapid dehydrating of horses in training? 

HKJC have long since banned the use of F in training as punters became aware some were using and some weren't...which in turn screwed training analysis

it should also be banned here

"3. EQUINE WELFARE. It is never acceptable to stop a horse from having water, unless a veterinarian has specifically told you to do so. This behaviour should be dealt with seriously.

While Rule 1402(1) generally requires that a horse’s needs are met, deliberately not giving a horse water is considered a much more serious matter and should be clearly banned by the Rules. NZTR proposes that Rule 1402(2) be amended as follows: 1402 (2) Without limiting sub-Rule (1) of this Rule, each person to whom this Rule applies in respect of a horse must: (a) ensure that the horse receives, as soon as is reasonably practicable, husbandry or treatment that alleviates any deficiencies in nutrition or provisions or unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress being suffered by the horse; (b) not withhold water from the horse to the detriment of its health, welfare or safety

[Chief Stipe]

7 minutes ago, Thomass said:

my understanding is Furosemide is still allowed here in the training of horses...just as it is widely used in Australia by the likes of Waller

How can NZTR rationalise speaking of their commitment to 'horse welfare' while allowing the rapid dehydrating of horses in training? 

You're an idiot.  The rule is about the withholding of water.  So if a horse is dehydrated after being given a preventative medicine then it would be an offence to not give it water.  Of course you could argue that if you were truly interested in the welfare of a horse you would allow Furosemide because it is effective in preventing EIPH (Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage.

But no you don't raise that but focus on how it isn't fair to punters - oh the hypocrisy!

[Thomass]

On 8/02/2026 at 1:04 PM, Chief Stipe said:

You're an idiot.  The rule is about the withholding of water.  So if a horse is dehydrated after being given a preventative medicine then it would be an offence to not give it water.  Of course you could argue that if you were truly interested in the welfare of a horse you would allow Furosemide because it is effective in preventing EIPH (Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage.

But no you don't raise that but focus on how it isn't fair to punters - oh the hypocrisy!

This from someone who couldn't read a basic auctionaring to and fro that my 10yr old Grand Daughter could understand (although she is a member of the 1% club)

 

"FFS @curious the same bid watcher had both of them in his sight.  So I'd say no extra bids were taken.  The camera shots don't show you where the current bid is."

 

Seriously, how could you be so lacking in perception?  Do you have cataracts and/or need hearing aids?

.Here, educate yourself with the HK situation.  However I dont have much hope you'll care a squat about horse welfare given that you said "nothing wrong with horse's being struck with the whip between the ears"

Giving horse's furosemide is a disgusting procedure that has no place in modern day thoroughbred racing and thank goodness an insightful jurisdiction like HK bit the bullet.

 

BTW, this is a classic example of irony, NZTR's supposed commitment to horse welfare but still rubber stamping the rapid dehydration of horses to allow them to  be worked harder

 

"The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) is a prominent, strict proponent of medication-free racing, with a long-standing ban on the race-day use of Lasix (furosemide) for both training and racing. 

Key findings from studies and observations regarding the HKJC's approach to Lasix include:

• Longevity and Performance: Research conducted on Hong Kong's racehorse population, which competes without Lasix, indicates that Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) does not necessarily shorten a horse's racing career.
• Study Findings: A study titled "Descriptive analysis of longitudinal endoscopy for exercise‐induced pulmonary haemorrhage in Thoroughbred racehorses in training and racing at the Hong Kong Jockey Club" found that while EIPH is common, it varies in severity, and there was no significant difference in the career longevity of horses based on whether they experienced EIPH (EIPH+) or not (EIPH-).
• Performance Without Medication: Observations by HKJC officials have suggested that horses are able to perform at a high level without the use of Lasix and can recover quickly between races.
• Comparison to US: The studies in Hong Kong serve as a contrast to the widespread use of Lasix in the United States, with HKJC officials noting that their model demonstrates that racing can be successful without the drug. 

The HKJC enforces a policy where horses that suffer severe, repeated instances of bleeding (epistaxis) are subjected to mandatory retirement, focusing on the health of the horse. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Chief Stipe]

Suggest you give Chris Waller a call.  I'm sure he'd love to hear from you.