Re: [RC] Low Tech and electrolytes - Barbara McCrary
Several years ago, Lud and I attended Death
Valley ride. The first day went well, we rested the horses the second day
(my 6-year-old horse had just done his first 50), and we rode the third
day. Lud's horse was a poor drinker-on-the-trail. The vet check was
at 35 miles into the 50. We came in, Lud's horse drank a little and I gave
him a full dose of electrolytes (dumb!) The horse soon started thumping,
then went into a full colic and had to have fluids IV. That was the last
time we ever gave electrolytes, and if we ever do again, it will be a small
dose. I'm not completely excited about e-lytes, but it was an attempt to
help this horse that did not work.
In answer to the 'low tech' question.....I do not ride or train
with a HRM, GPS, elytes or any of the other gadgets and gizmos out
there. I have, at times, tried them, but I found that they interfered
with my ability to read and feel my horse. I hate to say it again, but I
give Equal Terms little or no elytes-this is NOT a religion with me, but my
experience tells me she does not need them, and is indeed, intolerant of
them. There have to be other horses that are similair. ET has not
coliced in two years now, since I have stopped forcing salt down her
throat-and completed 5 day multis, 75s, 50s and 100s, including wins and
BCs. She has close to 2000 endurance miles.
I know there are
people who think I am a hard ass....ok, so I am. It is my humble opinion
that you can do this sport with a minimum of BS and have the time of your
life, or you can fuss and bother and wear yourself and your horse and your
family, thin. Just ride, f! or pete's sake. When you need to ride
slow because o f the weather, the footing, the tide or the moon, just do it.
If the stars aline and you can speed up and win, then go for it, but be ever
mindful of what you are asking your partner to do, and ever mindful of the
consequences, should you make the wrong decision.
