In the second episode of USTA President Russell Williams’ three-part videos series on why the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) law is bad for harness racing, he discusses the importance of why veterinary science should determine how best to use therapeutic medications and Lasix specifically.

He argues that the prohibition of race-day Lasix was written into HISA for the optics of it in order to satisfy public opinion rather than following the veterinary science of equine sports medicine, which has proven that it is the only medication that treats Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage and is what’s best for the health and welfare of the horse.

The second episode, “USTA President Russell Williams asks about HISA, ‘Which One Deserves the Public Trust: Veterinary Science or Optics?’” is available below.

In the first video, Williams explained that HISA is unconstitutional and discussed why the alternative Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA), which is draft legislation created with the input of practicing veterinarians, horsemen, regulators and the USTA, should replace it.

To watch the first episode, “USTA President Russell Williams Explains the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Act and Why it is Unconstitutional,” click here.

The third video, “USTA President Russell Williams: A Small Group of Rich Men Want Racing to Go Back to Being a Rich Man’s Hobby,” will be released next Monday (August 23).

(USTA)