When elytes were first 'discovered' as being
necessary, I used those huge gross salt pills, this was the 70s. I hid
them in carrots, apples, whatever. My gelding got smart quickly, he would
eat the goodies and spit the pill out. Then I used a hammer to break them
up, stuck them in apple sauce and squirted them in his mouth with a wormer
syringe. I had to cut the end off to make the hole big enough so the
pieces of elyte wouldn't clog it. I am glad it is easier to use elytes now
although I still wear them as much as I did when I first began this
sport.
Another 100, Sari Bimbo in PA if I remember this
correctly (Laura?), I don't believe there were enough vets to handle the vet
checks out on trail. My hubby, an MD, was recruited to take the pulse and
respiration. He complained that he couldn't tell if the horse was lame or
not and I can't remember what ride management did. But at least the main
vet stuck with the ride and didn't go home to feed the cows. I also
remember riding with Annette on Beamer on a 50 mile ride in Ohio. RM did
not know that the Nat'l Guard was in the state land doing manuevers. I can
still see Annette and me rounding a corner and scaring the crap out of a Nat's
Guard guy! Our horses spooked, we screeched, somehow stayed on, I can't
remember if a bridle fell off or not but it runs thru my mind that it did.
All day long these guys were popping out from behind trees, hanging down from
trees and the horses and riders just kept rolling along! Another thing
that I remember about Beamer is that he had terrible legs. The most
incredible thing about that horse was his heart. It was his heart that
made him a winner. But I don't think that his legs were that much of an
issue with lameness either. Did I remember this stuff correctly
Laura? I know you were there for most of it too.
Jeanie
