biopsy

["John Proudman GGPL B-262" <johnp@lpsi.barc.usda.gov>]

I shouldn't think that the pre-ride biopsies would need to be done 
immediately before the ride, a couple of days before should still give a 
good picture of the horse's pre-ride metabolic state.  A carefully-done 
biopsy should have no effect on his/her performance after a short 
recovery period.  Yes, it requires an owner/rider willing to accept a 
little risk in the interest of science, but this sport is filled with 
folks who are knowledgeable, curious, and take risks.  Some will likely 
agree to participate.

John & Dancer (sorry, haven't done a 100 yet!)

>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.