Ridecamp: Re: [RC] musings re "the good old days"

> Well Susan, you mentioned my name and now you are in for it.

Ah, Bob, you know you're my favorite old goat.  David says you have his
permission, but only because you're an ex-Marine and he's still out of the
neighborhood.


>And I feel we would have done better
> if we had understood some of the advances we have now. <snip>  I cringe
when the questions are about high level feeds. The  feeding programs only a
top competitor should be thinking  about and then only to peak for an extra
important ride. And > these questions are most likely from an also ran back
of the > pack finisher.


As I mentioned in my other post to Heidi, I do absolutely agree that it's
too easy to reach for a bucket of rocket fuel rather than do the homework
first.  So maybe that was an advantage to the old days---the rocket fuel
wasn't available, and you had less room for error.

However, I'm curious---where do you draw the line at what qualifies as a
high level feed?  What products do you consider over the top for something
that just wants to finish in good shape?  Since it wouldn't be fair to ask
you to wear a bullseye without doing it myself first, here's my opinion
FWIW---

I think the elytes formulated for endurance are great for everyone,
regardless of their level of competition.  I like that they contain sugar,
not for the extra performance, but because they help with absorption of the
salts.

 I don't think the endurance-formulated high energy feeds really make that
much of a difference over any other grain mix.  It's mostly a marketing
thing IMO.

I think beet pulp is terrific, just because of the hydration aspects.  I
doubt it would seriously make a huge difference in pushing a middle of the
packer up into top ten, but it might prevent some hydration-related problems
in a borderline horse, and that's what I care about.

As for the sugar powders, I think they're used as a shortcut too often. Fine
in their own way for the top competitor, but IMO, they're the icing on the
cake, not the entirety of the cake.

> As for the research, Good research is very necessary. Poor
> research causes more damage than the good research can
> overcome.

You're definitely preaching to the choir on that one. <vbg>  Any examples
you have in mind?  Just curious.  You can reply privately to this one if you
want.





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