Lobeline? Whuzzat? Whyzzat?

[War Admiral]

Race horses test positive for lobeline (http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/pennsylvanias-drug-testing-mystery/)...

What is that, and why would one use it on a horse?

Are the drug tests for race horses like the FEI ones, where just a trace amount from a human being using the patch would test on the horse?? :confused::confused:

[arabhorse2]

It's an alkaloid that is used as a respiratory stimulant. Apparently it's other use is as a smoking deterrent.

So, since horses don't usually take up smoking, I'm going to assume they're trying to stimulate the animals' respiration.