Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Cross Country Move For An Elderly Horse

>Carolyn, I just read a post from a RCamper that said >she was told not to
feed hay during trailer, that is >possible that it could have caused her
horse to colic >recently at a ride. I know that when I trailer to >endurance
rides I want the horse to arrive with good gut >sounds, but maybe you should
think about the hay >thing.

Not all horses will eat hay in the trailer, but at least when it comes to
endurance horses traveling to rides, I like to see them stuffing their faces
as much as possible for several days before and at the ride, including in
the trailer.  It really does help prevent alot of metabolic-associated
problems.  Having said that, there's obviously more to it than just
providing some hay.  You absolutely have to make sure the horse is well
hydrated, and that means offering water often before, during and after the
trip, and playing around with electrolyte syringing to try to encourage more
water consumption during the trip.  It means using a trailer appropriate for
the size of the horse, so he has room to eat comfortably, to stretch his
neck to cough and clear his trachea or esophagus as needed and so he has
room to stretch and pee comfortably.  If your trailer has some manger or
other way of providing it, I really like providing soaked hay or beet pulp
slop---nice way to provide a little more moisture and also cut down on
blowing dust.

>  Also, Pro-Burst is supposed to diminish tying up >while trailering long
distances.  My mare tied up >traveling from the Portland area to Southern
Oregon a >year ago and the vet attributed it to the long trip.

Jeannie Waldron did some research on Pro-Burst and concluded it doesn't help
a damn bit with anything.  Standing and balancing in a trailer takes a fair
bit of muscular effort.  I would bet big money that virtually any
trailering-related tying-up episode could be prevented with appropriate
feeding, watering and electrolyting.

Susan G



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

 If you are an AERC member - PLEASE VOTE in the upcoming By-Laws 
 Election!!!! (it takes 2/3rds to tango!!)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=