Re: RC: RE: Re: Re: Grass before a ride

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 5/3/00 8:19:44 AM Pacific Daylight Time, KDykes@cpes.com 
writes:

<< At the NATRC rides I've been to, they advise you
 "don't let the horse eat at the P&R stop UNTIL you've P&R'd, then eat all
 you want.  It does increase the heart-rate.  Since we're generally only
 standing there for a couple of minutes, it isn't keeping the horse from
 eating much.  Have to admit tho, having all those horses lined up and
 everybody talking in whispers to keep the heart-rate down is a little funny
 after our endurance rides! >>

You really have to know your own horse when it comes to that 
eating-before-pulsing bit.  My stallion Abu Ben Surrabu ("Junior" to those 
who know him) is like a Hoover vacuum cleaner when it comes to food.  He also 
has a heart rate that drops like a rock at checks.  He is totally focused on 
food, and is best presented to the pulse taker with a fresh mouthful so that 
he can be chewing while the pulse is taken and not fussing trying to reach 
for another bite or find more.  But it is true that eating will raise the 
pulse of many a few beats and delay their drop to the pulse criterion 
somewhat.

The other aspect of grass as the sole roughage source is its water 
content--some fast-growing grasses are difficult for getting enough calories 
into a horse simply because the horse will only eat so many pounds, and there 
is not enough dry matter in those pounds.  So--you have to monitor the horse 
and the pasture to make sure he is staying in good weight.  Many will do fine 
on pasture--others on specific pastures will need a dry source of roughage to 
get enough.  OTOH, the water content is a blessing when eating grass at 
rides, where dehydration must also be combatted, and where dry roughages are 
best fed soaked to increase the water content.

Heidi