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The following is a 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.  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

Pre-ride
1.  Maintain the horses on regular worming program.  The stress of
endurance riding can reveal underlying parasite damage
2.  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.
3.  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.
4.  Minimize feed change as far as possible.
5.  Check temperature of the horse before leaving and after arriving.
6.  Watch PPED   Peeing, pooping, eating, and drinking.
7.  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.
8.  Electrolyte starting well before the ride so horses will drink
properly.
9.  Learn your horse's needs and adjust your ride according to what the
horse tells you
10.  Have horses properly shod to minimize chance of injury.

Ride  (Remember the ride vets are there to help you!)
1.  Watch PPED   Peeing, pooping, eating, and drinking.  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.  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.
4.  Be willing to let leaders go, separate into small group going at your
pace
5.  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.
6.  Electrolyte regularly and often.  As much as once per hour if hot,
humid or difficult footing.
7.  Ensure the horse is getting enough energy food for pace of ride.
8.  Use a heart monitor and if readings are higher than expected for
terrain, etc. slow down.
9.  Learn your horse's needs and adjust.  If in doubt at vet check, discuss
with vet your concerns.
10.  Slow down coming into vet check.  Start out slow from vet check or
warm up before leaving vet check.  Abrupt changes are hard

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.


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