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[RC] Gaining back reserves... - Willowmere Farm ArabiansHi, Everyone, I am hoping somebody can help me. A few weeks ago I successfully completed my first 50 mile (yeah!) on my 11 year old Arab gelding. He is also one of my primary jumpers and has been in great condition for jumping, etc. We did a slow 50 (we won the turtle!) with no problems - he was eager, listening, and still ready to go at the end. His vet checks were awesome the entire time - straight A's except one B for tack galls (he pulls the first loop and had a sore on his gum - other than that, I can ride him on the buckle for the remaining loops). When we were finished, he was still BAR, great attitude, etc. and finally started to eat. (he wasn't hungry earlier in the ride, despite mixing his favorite slushies, offering hay, etc.) Going into the ride, he didn't have a lot of reserves (no fat padding, etc), but wasn't a skinny guy either. Just about the right amount of weight. After the ride, he had ZERO reserves, so much so that the Sport Horse judge 2 weeks later marked him as "dehydrated", which he was not. And after the ride, he did look skinny too. Our ride was 4/28, and we're still trying to gain back what he lost. I'm only concerned that it is taking so long to gain the weight back, even though I realize that won't happen over night for him either. His attitude is wonderful, his jumping is fantastic, and he moves great still. The only difference is the weight. I've also discovered much to my dismay, that he is a social eater. He lives in a paddock with 2 other geldings, whom he has grown up with all his life. They all eat together, but I was concerned that he may not be getting his own slurpy mixture (beet pulp mixed with oats, which he loves), so I have started pulling him out twice daily to feed him that in a paddock all his own. I figured he would eat his hay by himself too, but he will take a few nibbles after eating his slurpy, then stand and wait at the gate for me to put him back with his friends. If I then throw hay for him once he is in the shared paddock, he will go to eating it just fine, share with one horse, and chase the other off. He is currently getting alfalfa hay, but we will be switching back to grass this summer. My worry is that we are going to be doing another 50 later in the summer, and then 2 weeks later doing another 50. I'm not sure that would be a wise thing for him in this present condition. He is on a regular deworming (every other month) program, his vaccines current, etc. and is healthy. If anybody has any ideas, I would appreciate some help. I am not sure what else I should be giving him, or maybe a supplement, or ? He isn't the most food motivated horse either, in addition to being a social eater. I get the digest version of Ridecamp, so feel free to email me privately too. Thank you! Shawnee Urano _____________________________ Shawnee & Dave Urano Willowmere Farm Arabians (970) 330-3982 / (970) 381-3365 galahadd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.willowmerefarm.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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