Ridecamp: Re[2]: [RC] carbohydrate fuel

In response to Angie. I really dont think there can be 'too much' wet
BP and or wet chop hay- I also offer that also. The object is keep the guts
full of wet fiber, and some 'grains'.
Since I prefer rolled oats in the VC  - I dont think he could eat too
 much during the normal hold times say he has 25 minutes to really
chow down.
I may be somewhat concerned if he had pure sweet feed.. as in too much
grain and  surely CORN would NOT be my choice. I prefer NO CORN at
the VC. I also limit corn pre ride and post ride. I prefer STEAMED
ROLLED CORN and that is what I use in my COB mix at home. Starch is
cracked. Even using that type of corn - I try NOT to feed any during
the VC. If he will not eat - then we dont go on.
Even with all that BP and oats assuming he did pack it in, I would
still give him at least 1oz of carbs out the gate.

I have been able to get a horse to eat by giving him or her in this
case a dose of carbs - it brings the low glucose backup - then when
the CNS has enough blood sugar to function well the horse wakes up and
the very first thing they want is Feed. Hi carb grain.
When I did the control tests years ago. I let my one rat mare get low
- a normal ride for her, she gets that far away look, and I tested her
GL it was under 60- way too low. So my test at that ride was to not
use any carbs during the ride and let her do her normal ride - which was to be too
aggressive and burn up her glucose/glycogen stores. THEN after the
ride to give her one
oz and wait, test levels then another Oz, test levels and watch her
response.. after 2 oz within an hour she was awake eating drinking and
levels were normal at about 95. So I proved to me that if I keep the
glucose levels at normal she never 'crashed'. As was proven in her next
ride.. by crash what I mean - is that used up internalized look so many have after a ride.
This mare was a good test subject since she was so intense and 'used
herself up ' fast. When on the carbs she stayed strong all 50 miles
and looked great at the end.
I have never let Omni fall out of the normals. No need to do that.
In the event he fails to eat - I have given him and oz or 2 of carbs
and stay in camp at the trailer, when he eats what I think is adequate
- gut sounds up to my normal and looking good,
- we go back out.
So far this has worked well.  The only time I had a problem I did NOT
use any carbs - he failed to eat at camp - I would now give an oz - to
jump start the system if I had to.. and maybe more.  This would be
the only time I would 'preload' and then only an oz a few times, it
really does appear to get them back to eating and drinking.  I have
done this at a few rides after we arrived and set up. If he was not
interested in eating well when we arrived. I always give a dose of
elytes after we get to camp.


Roger R

R2F> But what if your horse chowed down on beet pulp and grain the entire vet
R2F> check?  I'm just curious.  If it improves his appetite...then do you let
R2F> him eat more too? At what point is too much too much?

R2F> Angie



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