Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

> What you're planning is probably what I would do, except I don't give any by
> syringe before starting.  However, how much is your "dose?"  If I was using a
> commercial product and giving it four times in 50 miles I'd probably only give
> half of what they call one dose each time.  Then if he showed signs of needing
> more than that, I'd consider upping it on the next ride.
Just curious, Joe, as to why you don't consider not using them in a new
horse at all initially, since you won't yet be taking him at race
speeds anyway.  The same rationale applies--instead of upping them "if
he needs more" you can add them at future rides "if he needs them."   

The majority of horses do not need them at completion speeds.  Some do
indeed need them as you speed up.  But the "conditioning" aspect still
applies to his first rides, too--and if he sets up a mild deficit, he
is more apt to take better care of himself at future rides, just as he
becomes increasingly efficient on training rides.

This is the very sort of "automatic" giving of e-lytes that I've been
talking about, and that I do find alarming--certainly give them to
horses that demonstrate a need, but first determine if the horse HAS
the need...  And you can't do that if you just automatically start
using them on his very first ride.  

What you are saying, Joe, is contrary to the concept of "listen to your
horse."

Heidi


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=