Pain relief in hard rides

[terre <tobytrot@bigfoot.com>]

Heidi
	Re: the use of bute as a mild pain reliever after rides--I, too, don't
wish to mask any soreness this way but additionally:  isn't Bute
specifically "hard on the kidneys" (contraindication on label)?  and do you
feel that horses undergoing any degree of dehydration and 'working' their
kidneys to try to reestabilish balance are at some risk with this specific
drug?  I have used it occasionally, usually after an injury like a fall or
kick to ease the ride home, but have never been very comfortable doing so.
Terre