As someone who has had a horse develop an abscess on the
jugular after IV fluids were administered as a preventative treatment
after a ride , I really do understand the risk any time an invasive
treatment is used. I feel very lucky that the jugular was not compromised
in my situation. I do feel I learned a great lesson from this and would
certainly be leery of any type of invasive treatment before or after a ride that
was not absolutely necessary.
One question I have that perhaps the vets reading this list can answer is
this. If a competition is over two weeks away, what is the harm in letting
horses slightly dehydrated from travel recover on their own so they do not risk
getting an abscess or something else from invasive treatment. Because I am
sure that blood could be pulled at any time during this period, couldn't
hydration levels be monitored and fluids be administered at a later time if
needed well before the competition?
I am certainly in no position to judge if what is being done at high level
international competitions is necessary for endurance racing, but I would like
to get a better a understanding of why this would be favored over letting a
horse re-hydrate naturally when the competition is 18 days away and there is
risk from any invasive treatment. Is there a chance that a horse will lose
conditioning or fitness if he has to spend a few days recovering on his
own?
