Re: RC: Taking care of yourself (and your horse)

[Dbeverly4@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/2/99 4:16:08 PM Pacific Daylight Time, lpopp@pa.net 
writes:

<<  Is it possible for a horse to deteriorate
 that much in 13 miles, or is it just the varying opinions of different
 vets?  
 I did go and get my vet card before leaving and it is written there that
 I was
 pulled for metabolic reasons.  Will that go on my record anywhere? 
 Because technically I was not eliminated.  I pulled her myself.  I
 learned a lot, as I always do at a ride.  >>

Nah, don't worry about your "record".  If that were a problem, mine would 
have a lot of whining inscribed on it and I'm pretty sure that's not the case 
(??).  Your question about a horse deteriorating in 13 miles -- yeah, I think 
they can.  The adrenaline rush kind of wears off and they can start to look 
less than the perky little critters they were at the start.  Don't feel badly 
about the ride -- a drastic temperature change can definitely cause problems 
(even with seasoned horses).  Sounds like you did the right thing and should 
be proud of yourself for getting as far as you did and then stopping when 
that was the right decision for your horse.  I had a similar problem with 
drinking water a few years ago at the Tevis...my crew refilled my water 
bottles from HORSE WATER  (at my request, let's not go there) and I proceeded 
to vomit it all up for the last 1/4 of the ride -- realllllly disgusting!!!!  
You learned a hard lesson about taking care of yourself during a ride.  I'll 
bet you don't make the same mistake again (I never have).  See you on the 
trail!

Sylvia


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