Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

There was some discussion about gut sounds a few months back and I recall learning then that large amounts of hay was better for good gut sounds than buckets of beet pulp; what’s in the hind gut creating those good sounds on Saturday is what the horse ate on Thursday; and, that a handful or two of high glycemic carbs (oats, carrots, COB) during the quarter mile walk into the vet checks might help get gut sounds going by giving a little energy boost. Were the horses drinking well? And were they offered water during the 6 hour trip? Just some things to think about, and if you don’t already feed on your way into a vet check, it wouldn’t hurt to start now.

Congrats on your first multi-day! 

Kathy 

 I complete my 4th and 5th LD on Friday and Saturday, first multi-day. For the first time in three years doing LD and CTR I got a low score on gut sounds. Just wanted to submit a question as to what some of you thought I need to change or improve on. The really strange thing is my riding buddy had the same issue. We vetted in on Thursday with all A's. This ride was at Collins MO and there was very little to eat on the trail, but my horse very seldom eats on the trail anyway. It was the first vet check on the first day we had the issue with getting a C on gut sounds. My horse ate great the night before almost totally cleaned up over a half a bale of hay(Brome grass). He got 1.5 pound of a mixture of PB, ultium, whole oats and corn the night before and the morning of. He pulsed down as soon as I came in and I went right to the vet his CRI was great 54/52,but his gut sounds were a C, with every thing else a A or A-. This was a longer trip then usual we drove about 6 hours. Just guess I would like to know if it was the long 6 hours drive the day before without hay that may have contributed to the C or does he need more BP mixture. His gut sounds were an A again at the final vet check and A's

again the next day. His second day competition CRI was 48/49 the best he has ever had. Also wanted to throw in I had just gotten out of an outage. I work at a Nuclear Power plant and during outages I have to work 72 hours a week so I did not ride much for the 6 weeks before the ride, not sure it that is an issue or not?? Another strange thing he was very calm the whole ride too, very unusual for him he has been improving over the years but I rode the whole ride on a loose rein, even the beginning. I came in second to last both days with my riding buddy getting the turtle both days. Lost out on turtle only because my horse pulses down quicker then my friends Morgan, darn Arabs!! Two more Central divisions Turtle contestants!!!

Thanks,

Shannon

Missouri