FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Veterinarians have warned the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission that a race-day ban on the anti-bleeding drug Furosemide, would lead to horses suffering pulmonary hemorrhages.
Horse owners and trainers joined veterinarians in Frankfort Tuesday, to urge the racing panel not to impose a ban they say would endanger not just horses, but also jockeys who could be hurt if the animals they're riding collapse.
The racing commission is tentatively scheduled to consider a proposal on June 13, to phase out the use of the anti-bleeding drug on race days. On Tuesday, the panel held a hearing to gather public comments.
The ban would apply to 2-year-olds starting in 2013, to 2- and 3-year-olds in 2014, and to any horse entered in a graded or listed race in 2015.
