More Questions :) about Multidays

DreamWeaver (karen@chaton.gardnerville.nv.us)
Wed, 04 Dec 1996 09:06:50 -0800

I have a few more questions, some about the Death Valley Encounter, and
others about rides in general. It seems like the more I do this the more I
need to learn.

What do you all do, if anything, when at a ride and the horses water freezes
every day? Do any of you use any gadgets like portable stock heaters, or do
you add warm/hot water to the water?

Leg wraps. At the last ride, I watched several people wrap their horses
legs. I did not see any two people do the same thing - everybody does
something a little bit different. If you could explain what you do, and why
(and when) I would really appreciate it.

Crew bags. I need a crew bag - what do you guys suggest? Also, any tips or
suggestions on things that I should put in there in case I might need it but
won't know till I get there. Also, will I need more than two blankets at DV
if I am sending one ahead every day in a crew bag?

And speaking of sending ahead crew bags - is that how it is done at the DV
ride? Or are there days in the ride where we can have our crews meet us? I
would be really interested in finding out more information on the logistics
of crewing if there is anybody out there who has done it and would be so
kind as to give me the information. I need to plan ahead as much as
possible, because my husband (bless his heart!), is really only going to be
'driving'.

Grain/feed. When your horses get picky at a multiday, what type of grain do
you give them? If they won't eat any of three types of grain, do you worry?
Mine wouldn't eat grain, he really ate a lot of hay though - but of course I
worried because at home he loves the Dynamite HES, the LMF Endurance Feed,
and cob - but at this last ride he was not interested. Any suggestions?

Corn oil. Anything I put corn oil on he would not eat. Would it be
advisable to dose him with a syringe of corn oil now and then? He's not
really used to having corn oil, so I really didn't think he'd want it at the
ride - but I tried anyway.

Recovery afterwards. Since we got home, he's been eating tons, his stall is
knee deep in hay and for the first day after we got back I gave him several
pounds of LMF feed (he loves it at home!). I also gave him a big soupy bran
mash with more elctrolytes. Any other suggestions or things you guys do
differently? One thing I forgot to do that I had wanted to do was bring my
weight tape and measure him to see how much his measurements changed from
day to day. I will remember to do that at the next ride.

If we go to DV I'll definitely need to get a heater for the camper! I got
tired of eating frozen bananas at the last ride. Husband said that if I put
them in the fridge they would warm up, at least they wouldn't be frozen
then! haha! Do you guys have any recommendations on heaters?

Thank you!!!! Happy Trails,

Karen
in Gardnerville
& Weaver 500 miles....
& Rocky 105 LD... :) and still has hives :(

P.S. My horse is still happy to see me!!! He likes me, he likes me!!!!
:))))))))))