Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

What went right and maybe what went wrong.

It sure got my attention that three of our Team were pulled because of 
Metabolic issues. (Yes, our RO was a M concern.)
What went right was the planning, camaraderie, Team building and trust 
put in the Staff for the US effort at the WEC. All of the nominated 
riders totally gave themselves and horses to what was desired by this 
year's Staff and USEF desires. Many accommodations were made to this. 
There was a plan, it was followed, subscribed to, practiced and 
executed. NONE of our riders overrode their horses. These were all 
horses that could have done better and DO do better. All of the riders 
did as told and were conservative. The dedication and effort made by the 
Staff and riders and horses has been impressive.

Here are some thoughts about what maybe contributed to the events. We 
were the last off continent country to come to the race venue. It was 
thought that this would be an advantage, and one that we all subscribed 
to. It was not a monetary decision, as the horses, riders and staff were 
already being covered in Florida. This could have been a factor. Food 
for thought.
Some things that I observed that may have more likely affected our 
results: DOING THINGS DIFFERENT ON RACE DAY.
Our horses have never run getting continual water poured on them. This 
seems great, but it was different. I mean all of our horses got water, 
sometimes very cool, dumped on them every quarter mile. Our crews and 
timing were very effective. But could this have affected the horse's 
natural need or desire to drink?
On race day our horses got  new and different electrolytes. Maybe some 
of the horses had it before, but I know that Tallymark hadn't. AND 
during the race this was mixed with molasses. Something TM had never had 
before. This was a decision made by staff.  Touted as the best type of 
mixture. All of the riders were so much on board as a team that they did 
not want to oppose the staff on this. The shoeing issues were much like 
this. A desire to support the "plan" and staff.

OK, here is my opinion. I think that too much electrolytes are used. I 
believe that these concentrated salts are caustic to the horse's mouth, 
etc. I think they are over done. There are other ways of including 
electrolytes. I.E. adding very small amounts to drinking water, feed and 
supplements. Not nearly as drastic as shooting them into a horse's mouth 
every hour! As a past marathon and ultra runner I have some personal 
experience in this. Maybe we should use them simply at some vet checks. 
Julie Suhr has remarked to me more than once..... in the 70's we have 
done the Tevis simply feeding our horses just alfalfa hay and no 
electrolytes and our times and placements weren't too different from 
today's standings and horse outcomes.

Tallymark's hospital stall was right next to Bev's horse being treated. 
(TM only needed a  few bags of fluids to bounce back but got more) and I 
was so dismayed seeing what Bev's horse was going through and in no way 
a reflection of how the horse was used. I totally wrote the horse's 
outcome off. We are so fortunate to have the talent and facilities there 
to handle that type of crisis. They did a fabulous job and to my 
surprise I believe we will see that horse on the trail again.
Steve Shaw





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