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RE: [RC] Won't hurt? - Steph TeeterUS reps to the World Forum are Art Priesz (chair of USEF High Performance committee), Vonita Bowers (USEF Director of Endurance discipline), Tony Benedetti, and alternate Grace Ramsey. re electrolytes: Dr. Bala (Malaysia - vet for Royal Stables) said they recently did research and published a paper on the use of electrolytes. I'll try to get a copy. He's not a strong proponent of electroyte drenching (application by syringe). Reasons: causes pain if gastric ulcers are present, messes with osmotic balance in gut (high concentration of salt in one dose). However he does see value in putting salts in feed or water during event, or in very small doses if horse is well hydrated and drinking well. My personal gripe with electrolytes is the way we give it - a syringe of very concentrated salts into the mouth. Think about it - this is the same method that vets use to field test horses for ulcers - if they show symptoms of pain after being given a huge dose of salt orally, they are suspect. Endurance horses are prone to ulcers - travel stress and competition (gut becomes more acidic) can aggravate or induce gastric ulceration. If a horse is experiencing pain or discomfort, it will probably stop eating or drinking. If a horse stops eating or drinking during competition they are at a great disadvantage to complete and stay hydrated and healthy. Plus how many times have we heard 'my horse was tired so I gave it more electrolytes'. IMO dehydration is the biggest problem in endurance horses during competition. Chances are greater that the horse was 'tired' because it was dehydrated, or low on avaliable energy substrate, than that it was clinically deficient in certain electrolytes. Giving electrolytes to a dehydrated horse is dangerous, especially if the horse does not start drinking. My opinion: My personal experience is that IF IF IF a horse is well conditioned (for the speed and distance asked of it) and well hydrated with a full gut, and eats and drinks during the event, then it can perform adequately without orally administered syringes of salt. My opinion: And if it is not conditioned for the speed and distance, and is not well hydrated, and does not have a full gut, and does not want to eat and drink prior to and during competition, then it should probably not be competing, and administering oral syringes of salt will probably not help, and might actually hurt. Steph -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of John Teeter Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007 4:43 PM To: Dana B. Cc: rides2far@xxxxxxxx; ridecamp Subject: Re: [RC] Won't hurt? I agree with Angie; we really would benefit from facts. The upcoming world forum on endurance might be a place were motivation and resources to look at this issue. I've heard that the UAE has been fully, formally studying this area(1). Publishing their findings to the community might be of help. All the players will be together next week at the endurance forum in Paris. Does anyone know who the US representatives to the forum will be? I'd assume Vonita. Each federation has 3 slots to fill. There are, as I recall, there are 3 tracks (TD, Judges, and Vets) over the 2 day meeting. But I don't know who from the US is attending each track. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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