What did the vets think? Did they feel she was dehydrated? Did her previous owners (assume they did the 50s on her) think she was a poor drinker? How much did they elyte? These are all things to consider. I do believe each horse is an individual and some need more elytes than others and some need very little, if any. It also depends greatly on the climate...high heat and humidity changes everything. Cindy
On Jun 24, 2008, at 11:16 AM, Kitley, Carrie E Civ USAF AFSPC 30 MDSS/SGSLF wrote:
I never even thought about bumping up the mileage to reinforce the survival instinct. It's interesting you should say that because I've always felt that she thought she was a camel. Maybe she just didn't NEED that much water during a 25 or 30 miler. Hmmmmmm Something to think about. She's always been a really good drinker AFTER the ride, but not during. Maybe I'm just a worry wart mom. :)
Carrie Kitley 30th Medical Group, Vandenberg AFB DMLSS Database Sustainment Specialist (DSS) CACI International Inc www.caci.com dsn 276-1077, Comm (805) 606-1077 fax dsn 276-1179 <\_~ // \\
-----Original Message----- From: heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 10:10 AM To: Kitley, Carrie E Civ USAF AFSPC 30 MDSS/SGSLF Cc: Ridecamp; Cindy Collins Subject: RE: [RC] [RC] re: LD, 50, 100
You are probably right that the limitation was yours and not hers. (And yes, the LD is a good place for you to learn stuff before moving up.)
That said, be careful in assuming that she needs her e-lytes "bumped up" to encourage drinking--what she MAY need is her mileage bumped up so that she rediscovers her survival skills. Education of the horse is highly underrated as a means to stimulate drinking--and the only way to accomplish that education is by stepping up in mileage. There is a time and a place for e-lyting--but keep in mind that many of us do 100s with no e-lytes, and that even some of the most competitive and successful 100-milers do not use e-lytes except in extreme conditions, and even then at nowhere near the "popular" rate of useage.
Heidi
Exactly. My horse completed quite a few 50's with her previous owner. She became my horse a little over 2 years ago and I started with LD's because I felt that was MY limit, not hers. Lol Incidentally, I discovered some things during the LDs that I'm glad I didn't have to learn during a 50. She needs e-lytes bumped-up to encourage drinking, she needs some corrective hoof trimming (had some EponaTech images done to determine exactly what needs to be done) and I need to work out. =)
