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I've heard that once a horse thumps the first time he is much more 
likely to do it again. I assume (if true) that once the sheath around 
the phrenic nerve becomes permeable once it is somewhat compormised and 
will become permeable more eaisly in the future. Is this ture or just an 
"old wives tale?"

Thanks
Truman


heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Yes, Angie, that's pretty much the short version.  What happens is that
> under the wrong conditions, the myelin sheath around the phrenic nerve
> becomes permeable to electrolytes, and so each time there is an
> electrical discharge from a heartbeat, there is an electric potential
> on the nerve as well, and it "fires."  It actually innervates the
> diaphragm (not the flank)--each time the diaphragm spasms, though, you
> can see the spasm in the flank.
>
> Sometimes other electrolytes are lacking--magnesium is an issue in some
> horses, and yes, calcium can be an issue.  Different horses sometimes
> require different e-lyte regimens to avoid the problem.  Other horses
> would drop dead long before they would ever thump.  It's a very
> individual thing, and some will do it with very little provocation.
>
> Heidi
>
>  


--

“You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace 
unless he has his freedom.” Malcolm X


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