Thanks for the input from those of you who
responded to my question on just how much electrolyte salts a horse needs during
a 100 mile ride.
Did the ride last weekend with good results -
didn't complete the 2 day 100 as I dislocated my shoulder on the first day - but
completed the first day after putting the shoulder back out on the
trail.
Made my own sweat isotonic e-lyte powder with
NaCl, KCl, MgCl and Ca-gluconate. The plan was 28gms or 1oz at start, about 5
miles before vet gates and after vetting in 50ml of apple juice with a double
dose on finishing ready for the next day. He was also preloaded with lots of
water by feeding as much water soaked unmolased sugarbeet as he could eat
overnight. So no morning feed. I started cooling with water as soon as his skin
felt hot about 1/2 mile out from venue to prevent early fluid and e-lyte lose
from sweating. The other horses with us were steaming in the cold air but not
yet wet with sweat, so I figured he was loosing water and e-lytes too. Vet gate
presents were less than 1 min with no cooling required.
Never had the horse in such good condition - all
A's for metabolics.
