HISA will spend 2 years, $773,500 to study Lasix & its future

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority said Wednesday it will pay $773,500 for scientific studies during the next two years that could go a long way toward the writing of new rules on the use of Lasix.

In a news release, HISA said it “will fund three scientific studies on the use of furosemide (Lasix) on horses during the 48-hour period before the start of (races), including the effect of furosemide on equine health and the integrity of competition.”

The projects will be done by the Nationwide Children’s Hospital based in Columbus, Ohio; the University of Florida veterinary school in Gainesville, Fla.; and Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. Conclusions are due in exactly two years on Jan. 31, 2026.

“Under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act,” the release said, “HISA is required to fund robust and rigorous scientific research on the topic of furosemide to inform the (Lasix committee’s) future recommendations to the HISA board on whether and how to amend HISA’s existing furosemide regulations.”

After asking for proposals last summer, a Lasix advisory committee chaired by Scott Palmer, the chief racing veterinarian in New York, recommended the three studies that were approved by the HISA board of directors.

The projects were outlined as follows in the HISA release:

Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Examining associations between furosemide treatment and racehorse health and welfare. Principal investigator Dr. Amanda Waller, research scientist.

“This study will examine the effects of race-day furosemide treatment on the health and welfare of Thoroughbreds as well as their long-term racing performance. An analysis will be conducted to assess the association between pre-race furosemide administration and fatal injury while also comparing the performance metrics, including lifetime earnings, career length, lifetime starts, starts per year, placings and average speed figures of horses that raced exclusively on furosemide as 2-year-olds and horses that did not receive furosemide for any races during their 2-year-old year.”

University of Florida. Effects of repeated furosemide administration on electrolyte homeostasis and bone density in healthy adult exercising Thoroughbreds. Principal investigator Dr. SallyAnne DeNotta, assistant veterinary professor.

“This study will examine the effects of repeated furosemide administration on electrolyte homeostasis, parathyroid response and urinary electrolyte excretion in exercising adult Thoroughbreds. The study will also examine the effects of repeated administration on bone density and strength using minimally invasive methods of measurement, including DEXA scan and OsteoProbe.”

Washington State University. Does pre-race administration of furosemide to Thoroughbred racehorses prolong their racing careers. Principal investigator Warwick Bayly, veterinary professor.

“This study will examine the impact of severe exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage on horses’ careers and the health of the racing industry more broadly. In doing so, the study will assess whether regular furosemide treatment is associated with more career starts and greater longevity and the impact of banning furosemide for 2-year-olds on the duration of their careers and number of lifetime starts. The study will also seek to determine the extent to which severe EIPH impacts the number of subsequent race starts, the periods between them and, when applicable, the time between the diagnosis of severe EIPH and retirement.”

Palmer expressed his gratitude to the experts who made bids to weigh in on Lasix.

“The lifelong health and wellbeing of Thoroughbreds is our top priority,” Palmer said in the news release. “This work will help ensure we have policies in place to safeguard these remarkable animals and the integrity of the sport.”