Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I want to heartily second what Heidi has said here!! While horses can  
and do develop electrolyte deficiencies in our sport, the most common  
metabolic problems are exhaustion (lack of energy) and dehydration.   
And often the reason a horse quits eating is because of exhaustion -  
when energy is low and muscles fatigue, blood is shunted to the  
muscles, at the expense of the stomach and intestines and the gut  
will 'shut down'.  Administering electrolyte drenches to a horse that  
'seems tired' and is actually dehydrated can be very damaging,  
especially if the horse is not eating or drinking well.

If you are new to the sport, learn about your horse gradually - and  
with fitness and experience you will develop a better feeling for  
your horse's capability and needs.  If a horse stops eating during a  
ride it means (to me) either the horse is uncomfortable or he was  
ridden too hard/fast.

Steph

On Apr 29, 2008, at 10:47 AM, heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> > It was pointed out to me at the last ride (my first! *grin*) that  
> > the horse needs it's electrolytes replenished when doing long  
> > distances, especially in warm weather.  I already knew this.  But  
> > what I didn't know is what to use, and that there are electrolytes  
> > mixes specifically for endurance horses!
>
> What is unfortunately NOT pointed out often enough is that  
> electrolytes are present in food (especially in forages) and that  
> horses that eat well consume more than enough electrolytes to  
> replenish all but the worst of electrolyte losses.  My best advice  
> is not to start experimenting with e-lyte mixes until you have  
> ridden a few rides at a moderate pace and have given your horse an  
> opportunity to allow mild deficits to encourage him to eat and  
> drink better on his own.
>
> Most of the "hitting the wall" that is popularly attributed to lack  
> of e-lytes is really due to lack of energy.  Allowing some time for  
> your horse to get used to the excitement of the sport and to learn  
> to eat well in spite of it is key.  Horses that eat well tend to  
> drink well, too.
>
> We use NO e-lyte supplements in our horses, and many top riders do  
> not use them, either, except perhaps in extreme situations.  The  
> French--noted for their international successes--use few or no e- 
> lyte supplements, but instead rely upon good horse selection, good  
> training, and good management.
>
> While there are a few horses that truly need supplementation in  
> most conditions, and many that benefit from supplementation in  
> extreme conditions, you need to first get to know your horse before  
> you start using supplements.  Electrolytes are NOT completely  
> innocuous--they CAN be overdone and cause problems.  So take your  
> time, ride a few more rides, see how your horse does as you learn  
> good management skills and your horse learns the ropes--and then  
> make decisions about whether or when to use e-lytes.
>
> Heidi
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>
>  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!!
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=