10/21/2026
𝘽𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙡 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙡𝙮.
The reason I talk about EIPH (exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage) so much is because I’ve lived through it with my own horses. There are few things more frustrating than watching a horse bleed, treating it, bringing them back, and watching them bleed again. Sometimes even through Lasix.
I keep my horses fit. They’re ridden six days a week and get consistent work that includes trotting, loping, pattern work, drills and sprints. I do the things we’re told to do to get a horse fit and prepared to compete. Yet even I still have horses that bleed.
Fitness matters, but I don’t believe fitness alone is a primary solution for EIPH.
After everything I’ve experienced with my own horses, I’ve made the decision to run my horses on Lasix going forward, under veterinary guidance. Until there’s a better solution, that’s the approach I’ve chosen.
One thing I think gets overlooked, especially by people newer to the barrel racing world, is how often bleeding goes undiagnosed. A horse doesn’t have to come out of the arena with blood pouring from its nose for there to be a major problem.
And if your horse bleeds, you cannot just give it Lasix, assume the problem is handled, and keep going.
Repeated bleeding can cause further lung injury and scarring, affect future performance, shorten careers and, in severe cases, become life-threatening.
If your horse bleeds, you need to talk to your veterinarian about an actual recovery plan. That includes how much time off it needs, whether further diagnostics are necessary, and whether additional treatment is indicated.
Ask your veterinarian about antibiotics. Especially with severe or repeated bleeding, you need to discuss the risk of complications, including secondary infection, and whether antibiotics are warranted for your horse. If your horse has bled multiple times in a short period, that needs prompt veterinary attention. Don’t make the decision to give or withhold medication without discussing the individual case with your vet.
If your horse bleeds a second, third or fourth time, I would be pushing for a more thorough investigation. Discuss a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and other appropriate diagnostics to help determine what is going on. You need to investigate why it’s happening, not just keep treating the symptoms.
There are several things I think every barrel horse owner needs to look at:
1. Fitness and conditioning. Are you properly conditioning your horse for the demands you’re putting on it? Fitness is important, but even very fit horses can bleed.
2. Diet. Take a hard look at what you’re feeding. Discuss an anti-inflammatory feeding approach with your veterinarian or equine nutritionist. Evaluate starch and sugar intake, the type and amount of feed, forage quality and overall nutritional balance. Don’t assume that because you’re feeding an expensive performance feed, your horse’s diet is automatically appropriate.
3. Hydration and electrolytes. Have a plan for maintaining hydration around competition. I start electrolytes three days before a run as part of my own management, but your horse’s individual needs and electrolyte product matter.
4. Your pre-run routine and veterinary protocol. Lasix alone may not be enough for every horse. Some horses are much tougher cases and need a more comprehensive plan developed with a veterinarian who regularly treats EIPH.
Ask your vet about the options that may be appropriate for your horse, including:
* Lasix (furosemide)
* Guanabenz
* Sedivet
* Kentucky Red
* Bleeders Mix
* Aminocaproic acid
* Nebulizing
These medications and products have different purposes, risks and levels of evidence. They are not interchangeable, and not every horse should receive them. Your veterinarian needs to determine what is appropriate and legal for your horse and the competition you’re entering.
This is also why I encourage people to find a veterinarian who regularly works with performance horses and EIPH. You need someone who understands the condition, knows what diagnostics are available and can help you develop a plan specific to your horse. Don’t assume that repeating the same treatment after every bleed is enough.
I know how frustrating this is. I know what it’s like to keep a horse fit, do everything you can to prepare it, and still have it bleed. I’ve dealt with horses that don’t respond the way you hope they will, even with preventative measures in place.
That’s why I talk about this so much.
If your horse bleeds, take it seriously. If it bleeds repeatedly, don’t just accept it as part of owning a barrel horse. Get it investigated, give it the recovery time it needs, and work with a veterinarian who understands EIPH.
𝘼𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙪𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚’𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜-𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙢 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧.
