Like a Racehorse

[Mother Grabber]

So, what is it about racehorses or horse racing that makes us associate it with having to pee really badly? It's not like they drink a vat of coffee and then go run a marathon. They are only on the track for a few minutes.

Anyone? Anyone?

[thefuzz]

I would assume that it has to do with the fact that the people betting on the horses are not actually around horses all that often.

They drive out from the city, and while they are BS'ing with their buds, they look over and a horse is taking a piss, and they think that's crazy how much volume is coming out.

Just a thought.

[Mother Grabber]

Apparently, a horse can pee a gallon in 6 sec! I'm jealous.

[cdandi1]

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2007/06/does_a_racehorse_pee_like_a_racehorse.html

The popular notion of incontinent racehorses seems to have roots in the late 1970s, when trainers began the widespread use of diuretics like Lasix (furosemide). Lasix inhibits the absorption of sodium and draws water into the bladder. This causes the horse to excrete more fluids, which could, in theory, make a horse lighter on its feet and faster on the track. Depending on the dose, a Lasix treatment could cause a horse to move several gallons of urine within an hour, which could translate to a quick drop of 10 pounds from a horse's body weight before a race.

It's not against the rules to dose a racehorse with Lasix, but its use is carefully regulated and abuse will result in a penalty. (In general, you're only allowed to use the drug to prevent internal bleeding during a race. You're not supposed to use it strictly as a diuretic.) Racing officials have run drug tests on competitors since 1903, and today they take blood and urine samples before every race. At the Kentucky Derby and most other major races, competitors using Lasix are allowed to compete, but they're marked with an L on the programs.

[Mother Grabber]

Well, that's no fun. I looked it up. Boring!

[Hawk]

I need to get me some Lasix!!