Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

This year's convention theme was education and we got some.  I really 
enjoyed the programs and applaud the convention committee for the 
work they did and the speakers for preparing good talks.  Now I'm a 
geek, so I go for the seminars, but the shopping was great and it's 
also fun to catch up with people from far flung regions.

I'll give a short re cap of some of what I learned.  Dr. Rob Keene 
gave a comprehensive overview of current management of osteoarthritis 
in the horse, from stem cell and growth factor therapies to topical 
relief of pain (and focused anti inflammatory therapy) using Surpass, 
a product made by the company that employs him.  Right now our herd 
is healthy, but the information is useful regardless.  And I'm 
tempted to try Surpass on my creaky shoulder.

Dr. Susan Garlinghouse gave 2 talks, one summarizing some published 
studies of interest to endurance people and one focusing on concrete 
things to do to improve performance.  Her talks are always well 
prepared and well received.  Three things that stand out for me: 
first, when choosing a supplement, it's important to make sure that 
it's fresh, otherwise you are adding expensive dust to your horse's 
ration.  This is especially true in the case of substances like 
biotin, which degrade over time.  She presented studies which show 
that biotin supplementation at 10-50mg levels do increase hoof growth 
and strength, although improvement may take over 1 year.  Second: 
weight added to the lower leg of the working horse has a 
disproportionate effect on efficiency of movement.  That is, one 
pound extra around the lower legs has the effect of 18 pounds added 
on the back.  So those splint boots, bell boots, pads, whatever need 
to have a very good reason to be there.  Or I guess one could lose 
some weight and then go crazy adorning those lower legs.  Third: 
studies show that horses have a preferred speed within a gait which 
is most energy efficient.  Aiming for extravagant extended gaits 
during distance is not a good idea unless one enjoys re-habbing 
injuries.  There were lots of other goodies and I'm sure that they'll 
end up in Endurance News at some point.

Dr. Dane Frazier gave two talks, both of which left me eager to 
better manage hydration before, during and after rides.  He is a big 
fan of electrolyte supplementation to stave off metabolic distress. 
I think between his and Dr. Garlinghouse's presentation the bottom 
line is that frequent, small doses, administered in water and food, 
as well as by syringe may just be the ticket.  Dr. Garlinghouse said, 
think salt shaker, not tablespoons.

I'm grateful to all the panel members (Stagg Newman, Karen Chaton, 
Christof Schork and John Crandell) for so generously sharing their 
expertise.  I have found it rare in other horse sports that the top 
talent is so willing to share and so patient with people like me, 
nowhere near so skilled.

Something that did give me pause was some aspects of discussions 
about treatment vets at rides.  Dr. Frazier mentioned that he has 
been at rides where he needed to get IV bags and tubing from RIDERS 
who had them as emergency supplies.  Also, a N CA vet brought up a 
sad case at a remote ride where a horse in trouble failed to get 
treatment in time because of mis-communication with a local clinic 
and then a long drive to a full service vet hospital.  The vet 
committee is working on guidelines for treatment vet policy. 
Treatment vets are apparently standard in some regions, including NW, 
but I mostly ride in the West region, which has no such standard.  I 
guess I will continue to light candles to the appropriate deities and 
choose my rides carefully.

All in all, I'm always inspired to ride better and smarter after 
these conventions.  Thanks to the organizers and again to the 
presenters and to the folks brave enough to ask questions.  I am 
really looking forward to Louisville.

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