Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Was able to retrieve a copy from somebody that I had the 
lastest copy, so ignore my email about the delay.

The following is the latest draft of a one-page check list 
of steps riders should take to minimize the chance of 
horses needed veterinary treatment as a result of 
endurance competition.  Thanks to all the many people who 
have contributed ideas.  The list is divided into steps 
taken before the ride, during the ride, and after the 
ride.  Please send suggested edits, additions, deletions 
to staggandcheryl@xxxxxxxxxxxx  Stagg

PREVENTING TREATMENT
WHAT RIDERS CAN DO

Pre-ride
1. Maintain the horses on regular de-worming program.  The 
stress of endurance riding can reveal underlying parasite 
damage
2. As part of training and conditioning due your own ?vet 
check exams? so you know your horse and your horse knows 
the routine.  End workouts with a quick vet check 
including trot out, check for dehydration, pulse, etc. 
The best riders learn ADR= Ain't Doin' Right - a very 
important parameter although difficult to define.
3. Bring the horse into the ride well hydrated. This may 
entail electrolyting to encouraging drinking upon arrival 
at a ride site, feeding slurries, or even bringing water 
for finicky drinkers.  For horses accustomed to grass, 
hand grazing on grass is excellent.
4. Let the horse properly recover from trailering. 
 Considerable research shows just how stressful 
trailering is.  Horses trailered more than 3 hours should 
be given at least 12 hours to recover.  Those trailered 
more than 4 hours need a full day.  Also horses need 
gentle exercise to loosen up muscles after trailering.
5. Minimize feed change as far as possible.
6. Check temperature of the horse before leaving and after 
arriving.
7. Watch EDPP-MF:   eating, drinking, peeing, pooping and 
moving freely.  Riders should do their own evaluation by 
observing their horse before they see the vet.
8. Plan your ride carefully; plan a ride time based on 
past ride times, weather, trail conditions and state of 
conditioning your horse.  Ride to your plan, not to what 
other horses are doing.
9. Electrolyte starting well before the ride so horses 
will drink properly.
10. Learn your horse?s needs and adjust your ride 
according to what the horse tells you
11. Have horses properly shod to minimize chance of 
injury.
12. Select rides with ride management and veterinarians 
who will work with you to protect the horse or otherwise 
ride quite cautiously.

Ride  (Remember the ride vets are there to help you!)
1. Watch EDPP-MF.  All normal, fine.  If not, slow down or 
stop.
2. Monitor Progressive Pulse Recovery During Check.  The 
pulse should continue to drop during the hold period and 
be 8 to 20 beats lower than the criteria.  If not slow 
down or check with vet.
3.  If concerned on trail about ADR ?Ain?t Doing Right? do 
a mini-vet exam and CRI on the spot.
4. Watch out for over-excitement that can cause early 
tie-ups, dehydration, etc.  Much of the critical 
electrolyte and water loss in horses occurs in the first 
10 to 20 miles.  Warm you horse up thoroughly or wait a 
couple minutes after the start and use the first couple of 
miles as warm-up. 
5. Be willing to let leaders go, separate into small group 
going at your pace
6. Adjust for temperature and footing.  Humidity even if 
cool necessitates slowing down as does heat.  Muddy, sandy 
footing, single track twisty, and side hill, and even 
slippery grass, require far more work as horse cannot use 
natural suspension system.
7. Electrolyte regularly and often.  As much as once per 
hour if hot, humid or difficult footing.
8. Ensure the horse is getting enough energy food for pace 
of ride.
9. Use a heart monitor and if readings are higher than 
expected for terrain, etc. slow down.
10. Learn your horse?s needs and adjust.  If in doubt at 
vet check, discuss with vet your concerns.
11. Slow down coming into vet check.  Start out slow from 
vet check or warm up before leaving vet check.  Abrupt 
changes are hard.
12. On cool/cold and wet/windy days cover your horse with 
rain sheets and/or blankets to prevent cramping or tieing 
up at holds.  Consider a rump rug for early in the ride. 
13. Use the vet as your partner and friend.  Discuss any 
concerns with them.  They are there to help.  The only 
stupid question is the question not asked.

Post Ride (these are steps to avoid treatment and do not 
include leg care, massage, etc.)
1. Watch PPED   Peeing, pooping, eating, and drinking. 
All normal, fine.  If not, check w/ vet. .
2. Rehydration thru free access to water, offer slurries, 
etc.
3. Postpone concentrated feed for several hours, 
particularly if pulse stays up.
4. Monitor post ride pulse recovery.
5. Blanket if necessary if weather is cool.
6. If any question with hydration or colic, immediately 
consult veterinarian  (if vet is not experienced with 
endurance horses, have them consult with endurance vet if 
possible); do not hesitate to stomach tube or aggressively 
get hydration to normal through IV if necessary.
7. Do not trailer horse home until adequately recovered 
and hydrated.  Ideally trailer home the next day so the 
horse has overnight to recover.
8. If at any time you have a concern or believe the horse 
may be ADR ? Ain?t Doing Right, go see the vet for a quick 
check and/or discussion.  The vet wants to see a healthy 
happy horse ready to go another day.



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