"Trust me, when
a vibrant, healthy, well conditioned horse gets into metabolic trouble at a
ride, especially if it has to be put on IV or dies, it is endurance
related. "
Howard I respectfully disagree with this
statement. I almost lost Ranger to a colic at a ride two years ago.
The circumstances were:
1. He was conditioned in the spring just as he had
been every spring.
2. He had almost 1000 miles on him
3. The weather was ideal.
4. Because I don't push in the spring I was going
slowly with a group of friends.
5. He was well hydrated before the
ride.
6. He had eaten and drank well at the first two vet
checks.
7. He had grazed (but not drank) on the last 12
mile loop.
8. The trail was flat.
9. He came in drank 4 Gal of water. Passed
the vet check fine. He was alert. Gut sounds B (not unusual for this vet
and horse combination)
10. 10 minutes later he exhibited mild colic.
I pulled him, and consulted the vets.
11. 5 hours later after 20 l of fluid we took him
to a vet hospital.
12. The next day he was much better.
13. I talked to the 3 ride vets, and another vet
later. No one can to this day figure out what could have been done to
prevent this serious colic.
If you have a suggestion, I am all ears. this
incident was endurance related, but only in the sense that it happened at a
ride. That same year Wendy had a pregnant mare die one day in the
pasture. I personally feel that this death was about as endurance related
as Ranger's problems. (the endurance connection was that the foal was
going to be a world class endurance horse.)
Ed
Ed and Wendy Hauser Sisu West 2994 Mittower
Road Victor, MT 59875
