Re: RC: FW: when to give electrolytes

[Rides 2 Far <rides2far@juno.com>]

>You should never give electrolytes unless their has been enough water
>consumed before hand. Don't consider doing more miles until he will be a
>good >drinker and eater.

Fraid I disagree on both.  Maybe if my horse wouldn't drink after 2 doses
I'd quit giving it...but if he won't drink by 50 miles I'll quit anyway. 
I give a dose before the start of the race, and about every 12.5 miles. 
If it's a 20 mile loop I'll stop 1/2 way and give some with creek water. 
If he didn't drink on a 16 mile loop, I'd definately still give the
electrolytes.

I know lots of horses who don't drink until the 25 mile mark (at first). 
If you keep quitting after 25 miles that just confirms their belief that
they can wait until after the competition is over to drink.  I do suggest
you go slow while they learn to eat and drink.

My personal training technique is to convince the horse that I am insane
and that he'd better look out for himself because I AM insane.  It's
funny that after Kaboot's first 100 he seemed to take much more
responsibility for his own well being.  I think that one finally
convinced him that I did NOT know when to quit and he'd better look out
for himself.  In the next 50 he drank about 1/4 mile into the race.

Angie

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