Re: RC: Re: Re:overweight an issue? - Weight vs. lean mass

[Tivers@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/26/00 11:22:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
suendavid@worldnet.att.net writes:

<< WE thought it logical, too.  It just didn't work out that way---at least,
 not until you factored in condition score as part of the equation.
 Undoubtedly, the higher RWR horses burn more fuel, but they still had
 *enough*.>

RWR? Might help my slow thinking process if you avoid acronyms.
 
> My hypothesis is that as long as the horse is in good body condition, they
 possess enough onboard fuel to go 100 miles, so who cares what your "mpg"
 is.  If the horse is thin, the body is cachexic>

Is that another word for "in a catabolic state"?

 >and has burned up its own
 lean muscle mass and glycogen stores---thus, less motor available and a
 smaller fuel tank.  The horse runs out of glycogen and into metabolic
 trouble, and now "mpg" *has* made a difference.>

Don't get the "mpg" reference here. I am now deeply confused.
 
 >The whole thing would be truly answered once and for all if I could biopsy
 for muscle and liver glycogen before and after a 100-mile ride.  But its
 asking enough for blood samples, and I'm not brave (or dumb) enough to
 request a rider's permission to punch his horse with a harpoon just before a
 ride.>

Commendable.

ti
 
 Susan G >>