I don't think there are many hard and fast rules for feeding. I want my
horse to have all the hay she can eat before the ride. I also usually feed
a little more alfalfa than normal prior to a ride. The only hard and fast
rule I have heard of concerns grain. At a clinic an experienced endurance
vet pointed out that for many reasons it is counterindicated to feed much
grain less than four prior to a ride. So Misty gets her morning grain at
least four hours prior the start of a ride. Getting up a 1:30 to 2:00 AM
is a pain but probably a good thing to do.
Bran and beet pulp mashes are probably good, but I doubt that the horse
gets enough water in the system from them to compensate for stessful rides.
When the conditions are hot/humid (which is 120% of the time in
southeast), I give electrolytes for both feedsing the day before the ride
and the morning before and then at every vet check - and maybe sometimes
between vet checks if they are far apart.
Truman
Truman Prevatt
Sarasota, FL