I have a 12 yr.old Saddlebred and 1995 was his first endurance
season. He has successfully completed 2 25's 2 35's and 3 50's.
However, we were pulled from 3 rides (all 50's) for metabolics.
We were going SLOW at all of them. He developed thumps at his first ride
at about 43 miles. (There were over 20 horses pulled for metabolics at
the same ride so I didn't get too upset, the humidity, and conditiones
were horrid, he recovered in about 20 minutes
after I pulled him) Then the next weekend he did a 25, then the next a 50
then another 50 and on the 5th ride we pulled for an "eratic heart rate",
at about 40 miles.
Then he was fine and finished several rides with no problems, and
then the "eratic heartrate" reared its ugly head again.
The vets said Potassium!! Ok, how much??? I would love to hear
some advice from anyone who has experienced similar problems or knows how
to resolve this. He is well conditioned for the speed we go ( we tend to
get our FULL MONEY'S WORTH and take the maximum allowable time) He is
capable of going much faster than I usually go, we have top tened at 2
rides this year ahead of several other people, but the rides where we had
the problems we were at the very BACK OF THE PACK!
Can anyone help with some advice??? I don't want to hang up
endurance with him, he has an unbelievable trot and personality.
Laura Szeremi-Trouse
VET2B
szerelk@mail.auburn.edu