Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

> If you don't want to use them, fine, but the non-electrolyte
> people start to sound a lot like the "no shoes" people. It's
> not a religion you know. 

I resent that.  Look back the last year or so in the archives and you'll 
find tons of stuff on how great electrolytes are, how horses only colicked 
because they didn't get enough or you HAVE to dose your horse, and how to 
dose, pre-ride, post-ride, on the damn trailride.  Then up comes ulcers and 
its how to buffer the electrolytes, how to mix them with other stuff, when 
to give them so they'll cause the least damage. DAMAGE for gawd sake. 
"First, do no harm", not "After you've botched things up, find the best 
band aids you can".

Now a few of us say no, not all horses need electrolytes and those that do 
don't need them all the time  AND WE'RE THE RELIGIOUS CHEST THUMPERS????

Heidi was dead on.  MOST people doing distance riding DO NOT NEED 
ELECTROLYTES.  They should be moving at a conservative pace, building up 
their horses, learning about their horses.  Electrolytes are, or should be, 
used judiciously by those who know exactly what their horse's reaction will 
be, not just shot down their throat in the hopes you'll be able to complete 
a ride you haven't properly conditioned for.

Promoting something as cure when it isn't - THAT is religious fervor. 
Saying stop, take stock, know you're horse, know what you are putting in it 
at a ride, THAT is common sense.



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