Re: Bute after a Ride

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/6/99 9:49:43 AM Pacific Standard Time,
snodgrab@ncr.disa.mil writes:

<< Ahhhh, a voice of reason. I agree with you Drin. A typical dosage of Bute
 for 24-36 hours doesn't cover up squat let alone something significant
 enough to worry about. >>

You are absolutely right that bute will not cover up a serious biomechanical
injury.  What it WILL do is lull you into not addressing whatever minor
metabolic problem or chronic problem is causing the discomfort to begin with.
Saddle fit?  Back slightly out?  Not utilizing rear limbs properly?  Slight
deficiency in diet causing cramping?  CPK up past where it should be?  Or
maybe just not quite as fit as you thought?  Sure, I take stuff after I ride,
but I am a volunteer, my horse is not.  I do not have the fitness level or the
aptitude that my horse does, and I likely wouldn't have passed the pre-ride
check.  One reason I ride (and why I love this sport) is because my horse can
go places and do things that I can't.  If I could, maybe I would go do
triathalons with Lew Hollander instead of relying on a horse to take me there.
If I want to push myself past the limits of discomfort, that is my own
problem, but if I do it to my horse, I just plain screwed up and had better
rethink what I am doing.

Heidi